Just Mortgages New Build and Shared Ownership, the specialist new build arm of the leading national brokerage, has been appointed to the broker panel of Sovereign Network Group, one of the largest housing associations in England.
The team of specialist new build advisers will now work closely with SNG across its developments to support buyers of Shared Ownership properties with purchases and future staircasing options. SNG provides more than 85,000 homes across London, the South East, South West and the East of England. The move will leverage Just Mortgages’ strong national footprint and deep expertise as one of the UK’s largest specialist new build divisions with more than 35 dedicated advisers.
The appointment to SNG’s exclusive panel recognises Just Mortgages’ continued success in the new build sector and strong partnerships with both mainstream and specialist lenders. Given SNG’s commitment to providing high levels of service to applicants, the move also recognises the brokerage’s reputation for expert advice in a critical part of the housing and mortgage market.
Paul Wilson, business development director at Just Mortgages New Build & Shared Ownership, said: “Joining SNG’s exclusive broker panel is a proud moment for Just Mortgages as it reflects our standing in the new build space and our expertise in the Shared Ownership arena. This is a fantastic partnership as both brands are hugely passionate about this fantastic scheme and share the same drive to help unlock homeownership for more people. Working together helps make this a reality through SNG’s brilliant Shared Ownership properties and our commitment to quality advice at every stage of the tenure.”
David Ward, head of staircasing and resales, said: “Just Mortgages has a tremendous reputation for quality advice in the new build space – particularly around Shared Ownership. Their expertise, their footprint and their proven reputation makes them a fantastic partner as we continue to help more people realise their homebuying ambitions through Shared Ownership. Furthermore, we share many of the same values and both strive to put the customer first in everything we do. We are thrilled to welcome Just Mortgages onto our panel and look forward to working with them.”
The move comes amid increasing industry spotlight on Shared Ownership, which remains a key driver of leads and enquiries into Just Mortgages’ specialist division. Alongside fresh calls for greater education and policy changes to remove known barriers and increase access, leading figures from across the sector – including Just Mortgages – have called for greater support to help Shared Ownership buyers with staircasing.
Latest data suggests that the number of owners staircasing to full ownership fell to just 1% of total stock in 2023/24, while the average over the last five years is only 2%.
In addition to advice at purchase, Just Mortgages continues to support Shared Ownership clients to increase their share right up to 100% ownership, working with its Client Services division to discuss staircasing as part of regular reviews.
John Doughty, chapter managing director at Just Mortgages, adds: “Given its success, it’s easy to think of Shared Ownership as a mechanism for affordability and overlook its potential as a route to full home ownership. Increasingly though, the sector is prioritising greater efforts to not just raise awareness but actively support Shared Ownership buyers to increase their share through staircasing. It’s something we definitely need to see more of and requires greater collaboration between lenders, brokers and housing associations. It’s great to see that staircasing is a clear component of SNG’s proposition and a shared priority for both our brands. It continues to form a key part of our advice journeys and will play a considerable role in our partnership with SNG moving forward.”
