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EXPERT ADVICE

Over the border line

If you’re planning a move across
the border in 2025, here’s how
to make it more seamless. The largest hurdle facing a seller whose property is in England
is progressing with their own sale as much as possible before
dipping their toe into the Scottish market...

Peter Moore, Purchase Negotiator at Warners

for both the seller and the purchaser is not are also instructed in the English sale. While
instructed until after an offer is accepted. Any there are inherent differences between the
one of these points can make a seller and jurisdictions, our team can overcome some
f you’re thinking of selling up in Scotland their representative nervous when receiving of the fears and advise on practical problems
and relocating to England – or vice versa an offer on their Scottish home, as they could that can present themselves when moving
I– you’ve probably already wondered about cause delays to completion, or worse, risk the between varying legal processes.”
how to make the buying and selling process chain collapsing completely.
work when there are two different legal In short, if you’re considering moving across
systems at play. “When I am helping a client with their journey the border this year, your best course of action
into the Scottish market, to mitigate as much is to speak to a trusted solicitor estate agency
The most common way that home movers Peter Moore, Purchase Negotiator at Warners, anxiety as possible, I try to get as much prior to commencing your property search, to
make the transition between the two locations explains: “There is a definite opportunity for information relating to their English sale as find out how they can support you to make the
(Editor’s note: including myself!) is to sell in purchasers moving from England to Scotland possible, before they instruct an offer, with the purchase process as easy as possible. You can
one location, and then move into rented or to link their transactions, avoiding breaking expectation that the resulting offer will be as find an ESPC agent at espc.com/find-an-agent.
temporary accommodation in the location their property chains. In my experience, the attractive as possible and will offer the seller
you’re intending to buy in, starting the purchase largest hurdle facing a seller whose property is the confidence needed to accept it.”
process from scratch there. in England is progressing with their own sale as
much as possible before dipping their toe into Steven Drake is a Partner at Thorntons, who
On the plus side, it reduces your property chain the Scottish market, but other issues do arise is dual-qualified in both English and Scots law:
on both transactions, making you effectively which can complicate the process. “It’s absolutely possible to synchronise a move
chain-free, or as attractive as a first-time buyer north or south – without incurring the cost or
when you come to buy your next home. On “From my understanding of the English system, trouble of renting for a time or having to try
the other hand, it means going through the having spent my first ten years learning my and juggle (or struggle!) dealing with firms
conveyancing process twice, takes a lot longer trade south of the border, completion can take on either side of the border, who have little
than your average buy-and-sell experience, far longer than the standard six-eight week or no knowledge of the other conveyancing
and means you need to pay two sets of timeframe we see in Scotland, and there is no process. Thorntons has a dedicated team
legal fees, as well as understanding how the Home Report requirement when a property who specialises in cross-border, English and
conveyancing process works in both countries. goes live, with any offer made being subject to Welsh transactions, headed up by a Partner
a valuation. Properties can be both leasehold with more than 20 years’ experience in English
But is there a way to make it easier, or even to and freehold, with some leases offering conveyancing. We find it can help a client
make it as seamless as buying and selling in less than 100 years, which can limit lenders’ secure a property purchase in Scotland, when
the same country? conviction to lend, and legal representation the selling agents are comforted that we

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