Keep your eyes peeled for RICS Scotland new campaign and recently launched website www.dontgoroundthehouses.com. The campaign addresses concerns about variations in Home Report prices and the advice given by solicitors and estates agents. It has been highlighted that sellers may not be aware that they can instruct their own Home Report from a surveyor. Sellers who get a Home Report arranged through their solicitor or estate agent are sometimes charged as much as 50% more in commission.

Graeme Hartley, Director of RICS Scotland said:

“We launched this campaign because we were concerned about reports from our members telling us that some buyers were paying over the odds for their Home Report with the estate agent or law firm pocketing the difference.

You wouldn’t employ a decorator to fit your boiler so why go to a third party to arrange your Home Report. A surveyor who is a member of RICS can provide a Home Report at the best possible price. Our new website spells out all the advice and information needed and makes it as simple as possible for clients.”

In Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow you can expect to see posters supporting the campaign as well as in Scottish newspapers, magazines and property-related websites. It’s about time estate agent myths were dispelled!