When it comes to Shared Ownership transactions, finding the right solicitor can be crucial. A good solicitor can ensure that the process goes smoothly and help you avoid any legal pitfalls. But how do you go about finding the right solicitor? Here’s a few ways

Is Google your friend?

One of the most common ways to find a solicitor is through a Google search. You can find a list of conveyancers in your area and compare their services and prices. However, there are some pros and cons to using this method.

Pros

• Quick and easy: A Google search is a quick and easy way to find a solicitor.
• Plenty of choices: You’ll have a lot of choices, which means you can find a solicitor that fits your needs and budget.
• Reviews: You can read reviews from other clients, which can help you make an informed decision.

Cons

• Quality can be hit or miss: Just because a solicitor appears at the top of the search results doesn’t mean they’re the best option. Most of the time it’s because they paid to be there. Look for the word “sponsored” on the Google title to know whether they paid for it.
• Lack of personal touch: Most of the time you’ll be asked to fill in a form online and get an automated quote. You often don’t get to speak with them upfront.
• Little to no Shared Ownership experience: Shared Ownership conveyancing is unique, and having the right solicitor will save you hours. However conveyancers want to win business so they might mention staircasing on their website. Be sure to ask them how many staircasing transactions they have done before you go ahead.

Mortgage broker recommendation

Another way to find a staircasing solicitor is through your mortgage broker. Your broker may have a list of solicitors they work with and trust. Here are some pros and cons of using this method.

Pros

• Trusted recommendations: Your broker will only recommend solicitors they trust and have worked with before.
• Saves time: You won’t need to spend time researching different solicitors.
• Personal touch: You can get a personal recommendation from someone you already know.

Cons

• Limited choices: You’ll only have access to the solicitors your broker works with.
• Potential for bias: Your broker may recommend a solicitor based on their own interests, rather than your needs.
• May not be cost-effective: The solicitor your broker recommends may not be the most affordable option.

Housing Association recommendation

If you’re a part of a Housing Association, they may have a list of recommended solicitors that you can use. Here are some pros and cons of using this method.

Pros

• Trusted recommendations: Housing Associations will only recommend solicitors they trust and have worked with before.
• Saves time: You won’t need to spend time researching different solicitors.
• Personal touch: You can get a personal recommendation from someone you already know.

Cons

• Limited choices: You’ll only have access to the solicitors the Housing Association works with.
• Potential for bias: The Housing Association may recommend a solicitor based on their own interests, rather than your needs.
• May not be cost-effective: The solicitor recommended by the Housing Association may not be the most affordable option.

Choose one from our panel of solicitors

Finally, you can choose a solicitor from our panel of Shared Ownership solicitors. Here are some pros and cons of using this method.

Pros

• Handpicked recommendations: We’ve already done the research and handpicked the best solicitors for staircasing.
• Independent advice: We have no stake in the game, it makes no difference to us which one you end up choosing
• Shared Owners network: We regularly seek feedback from Shared Owners and only list solicitors that consistently get good reviews

Cons

• Limited choices: Because we only try to work with the best ones, you won't have an infinite list to pick from
• May not be the best fit: Even though we try our best to pick the top solicitors, your specific needs may require someone else, and that's ok!
• Everyone has a bad day sometimes: We try our best to find the best match for you, but sometimes things just don't work out

Bonus benefit: every solicitor that you pick from our panel will be using our software, which automates parts of the conveyancing process as well as keeping you up to date on each step of the way. Quicker results and more visibility!

In conclusion, there are several ways to find a Shared Ownership solicitor. You can use Google, get a recommendation from your mortgage broker or Housing Association, or choose one from our panel of solicitors. Each method has its own pros and cons, so be sure to consider each one carefully before making a decision. With the right solicitor by your side, Shared Ownership purchases, staircasing or sales can be a smooth and stress-free process.