Buying or selling your home: find a professional

Advisers can search the market on your behalf and recommend the best deal for you. Read our guide Should you use a mortgage adviser?

Always use a regulated mortgage adviser – you can find one using these websites:

• Personal Finance SocietyOpens in a new window
• UnbiasedOpens in a new window
  

Make sure the firm you decide to deal with is regulated by checking the FCA registerOpens in a new window

Find out more at the professional body for these advisers, The Association of Mortgage IntermediariesOpens in a new window

If you’re considering taking out a later life lending product, specialist later life advisers can help you understand the pros and cons and any alternatives.

Find an adviser:

• Society of Later Life AdvisersOpens in a new window – you can find an adviser near you to help with all later life financial matters.
• Equity Release Council member directoryOpens in a new window – if you’re considering equity release, you MUST get regulated advice. The trade body for the sector will help you find an adviser.
• You can also get impartial equity release advice from StepChange onlineOpens in a new window or by calling 0808 1686 719.
• Our Retirement adviser directory lists registered financial advisers who specialise in retirement planning.  

See more in our guide on equity release.

A solicitor or conveyancer handles the legal aspect of buying or selling a property for you. They handle the transfer of money and take you right through to the exchange of contracts and completion.

While conveyancers specialise in property law, solicitors have a wider legal knowledge if anything goes wrong. So a solicitor is normally a more expensive option.

• Make sure your chosen property specialist is a member of the Law Society of England and WalesOpens in a new window, Law Society of ScotlandOpens in a new window or Law Society of Northern IrelandOpens in a new window, and a member of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality SchemeOpens in a new window
• Conveyancers must be members of the Council for Licenced ConveyancersOpens in a new window
  

Surveyors assess the condition of a property to help you identify any potential problems with the land or building.

If you’re buying a property, you’ll need a surveyor to arrange a Home Survey.

Find a local surveyor:

• Royal Institution of Chartered SurveyorsOpens in a new window (RICS)
• Residential Property Surveyors AssociationOpens in a new window (RPSA)