Housing Association recommended Mortgage Brokers

ronctlsmile

I have an offer of a flat through a housing association. It provided me a mortgage broker and a conveyancing solicitor. I am not so sure if I should go for them as this website recommend not to take any solicitors and brokers from estate agents. I know housing association are not estate agents. To some extent, they function similarly. What is your opinion about this?

kingstreet

It's upto you.

Why not talk to them and others and get a feel for both/all?

We're on the panel for Orbit in the Midlands and as a result we know a lot about shared ownership, shared equity in general and the HTB schemes.

That can be an advantage.

jellyfish76

I used the HA "recommended" mortgage broker and solicitors when I bought my shared ownership. It was fine. Their services were OK but not amazing.

Pluses - they will both be familiar with your HA, your housing complex and share ownership which may speed up the process

Downsides, you probably won't get the most competitively priced services than If you shopped around and it's better to use recommendations from friends etc

I am now stair-casing and have found my own surveyor, mortgage etc.

My opinion is take it with a pinch of salt if an HA says you are getting a "special rate". Using HA approved people make me feel like they are the client and not me. :-/