10/08/2026
🏡 Under Offer, Sold STC, Sold STCM… what do they actually mean?
If you’re scrolling through property portals, you’ll regularly see homes marked Under Offer, Sold STC or Sold STCM.
If you don’t work in property, there’s absolutely no reason you should automatically know what each one means — and in Scotland, the terminology can be particularly confusing.
So, here’s the simple version.
🔴 UNDER OFFER
The seller has accepted an offer from a buyer, but the legal process is still ongoing. The sale isn’t legally binding at this stage and the property hasn’t officially sold yet.
🔴 SOLD STC – Sold Subject to Contract
This is terminology you’ll commonly see across UK property portals. It means an offer has been accepted, but contracts have not yet been concluded. In Scotland, you may still see this status used by agents or portals even though our legal process and terminology differ from England and Wales.
🔴 SOLD STCM – Sold Subject to Conclusion of Missives
This is the more Scotland-specific version. An offer has been accepted and the solicitors are working towards concluding missives — the point at which the contract for the sale becomes legally binding.
So does any of this mean the property has actually SOLD?
Not quite.
Until missives are concluded, there are still legal steps to complete and a sale can potentially fall through.
And even after missives are concluded, the buyer doesn’t normally receive the keys until the agreed Date of Entry, when the transaction completes.
It can sound like a lot of property jargon, but understanding what these terms mean can make the buying and selling process feel much clearer.
And if you see an Under Offer sign on a home you love? It can still be worth speaking to the selling agent. They can explain the property's current position and whether there is any opportunity to note your interest.
Property doesn't need to feel complicated. Sometimes you just need someone to explain what everything actually means.
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