What it is like to be an Associate Property Lawyer at Eden

Each month, we spotlight a colleague from across the business to share what they do, how they support our clients, and a bit about their career journey. This month, we’re chatting with Showaib Naseer, an Associate Property Lawyer, to learn more about life at Eden.

I've recently been promoted to Associate Property Lawyer at Eden. Essentially, I manage residential transactions from instruction through to completion. That includes reviewing contracts, title and legal paperwork, and preparing legal documents for signing. I'm also responsible for raising, reviewing and responding to legal enquiries, and advising clients on the potential legal issues and risks associated with their specific transaction.

All of that runs alongside working closely with clients, solicitors, estate agents, mortgage brokers, management companies and landlords.

No two days are the same, and it's rarely one thing at a time. Day to day, I'm managing transactions across my caseload, picking up whatever's most urgent, while making sure every file keeps moving, not just the ones demanding the most attention.

Alongside that, it's keeping clients updated throughout and staying in touch with all the other parties involved, whether that's solicitors, estate agents or brokers. At the root of it, my job is making sure we resolve any issues we find and advise correctly on the risks.

It's probably a cliché, but it's getting the job done. If it's a sale, getting the property sold for the client. If it's a purchase, helping them take that step in their journey.

Everyone has their own circumstances, so a sale for two different people might have completely different reasoning behind it. Being empathetic to that and understanding why it matters to them is a big part of it. For some clients it's a need rather than a want, something they have to get done rather than something they're looking forward to.

I  was a buyer not so long ago, so I understand it from the client's point of view even more now. Before that, I'd only ever seen it from my own perspective. They've got so many other things going on, so it's about making it as effortless and seamless as possible, making sure they understand exactly what's happening and why, and giving clear direction.

The number of people involved in any one transaction. At one end, it's just your client and the solicitor on the other side. At the other, it's client, solicitor, estate agent, mortgage broker, management company and landlord. A lot of the job is keeping everyone on the same page and chasing the parties who aren't as invested in getting it over the line.

The other side is managing expectations. There's a lot we can do to speed up the process. There are elements that sit outside our control, so we set that out clearly in the introductory meeting: what we're responsible for, and what sits with someone else.

MyEden helps here. Estate agents and mortgage brokers can see the file for themselves; they appreciate that visibility, and it’s one less update to chase.

I originally started in June 2024, then left to go to another firm local to me in Manchester. I rejoined in October 2024, and I've never looked back. Technology was a big factor. At the place I went to and the place I came from originally, there were a lot of paper files. It felt very traditional, and there were things you could easily be doing digitally. Working electronically just makes the whole process easier, more streamlined and quicker. 

Working digitally and from home also introduced a work-life balance I wasn't used to previously. And Eden's focus on client satisfaction over everything else, quality over quantity, is something that stands true throughout. That's been just as important.

Don't be afraid to ask questions when you don't know something. The skill is recognising that, accepting it, and then either doing your own research or asking for help.

At Eden there are so many knowledgeable people on hand with different levels and types of experience. Someone might have less experience on paper, but they'll have handled transactions of a completely different nature. So, it comes down to never being afraid to ask, and never being afraid to say you don't have the answer straight away. You can go away, do the research, and come back with the answer your client actually needs.

I'd say Alexa and the smart home setup. Being able to control the lights and heating from wherever you are is just convenient, isn't it? If it's cold, you can turn the heating and the lights on while you're heading home. It's especially useful when you're away on holiday or out for the day or evening, for a bit of security as well. It probably makes you slightly lazier, but I think convenience wins in this day and age.

Being around and close to the people who are important to you. My wife and family. That's what really matters. Everything's a house until you make it into a home.  It’s one of those processes where day by day, week by week, things change and it starts to feel more homely and more comfortable.

It’s important to have a place where you can switch off, which is especially important when you work from home. It's very easy to say, I'll just log on, I'm already here. So having a dedicated place to work and a dedicated place to switch off makes all the difference.

A huge thank you to Showaib for sharing his insights with us. Every colleague at Eden contributes to making home moving clear, effortless and more human, and we’re proud to shine a light on the people who make that possible.