Home Ownership in London
Sharetobuy.com/firststeps is the official portal of FIRST STEPS, the Mayor of London's affordable home ownership scheme.
Shared Ownership Case Studies
Latest News
FIRST STEPS Homes Show: latest news
7th March 2014
We are able to confirm it now looks like we will have a total of 30 stands on display at the FIRST STEPS Homes Show on April 12th, which Share to Buy is once again hosting in central London.
This is a FREE event formally endorsed by the Mayor of London which includes a whole range of London-based affordable housing providers PLUS a broker area with around 30 mortgage specialists on hand for a one-to-one discussion with attendees. This compares to 23 stands and 12 brokers last year. To read more about the show and register click here
Share to Buy announce the FIRST STEPS Homes Show Spring 2014
17th February 2014
Join us at London's major event for first time buyers. The FIRST STEPS Homes Show Spring 2014 brings together London's major providers of low cost home ownership properties along with mortgage brokers and legal experts - and is FREE to attend.
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Welcome to sharetobuy.com
Sharetobuy.com aims to provide a 'one stop shop' to access the main government-backed affordable housing schemes. If you are looking to buy in London, we are the official portal of First Steps, the Mayor of London’s affordable home ownership brand. You can use our site to search for shared ownership property across England and you can also search for and compare shared ownership mortgages.
What exactly do you mean by 'shared-ownership'?
Some customers understandably assume that the phrase ‘shared ownership refers to private individuals clubbing together to buy a home with a joint mortgage. In fact, the main government backed affordable home ownership scheme is called ‘shared ownership’ because you share ownership with a housing association. This scheme is also referred to as ‘part buy part rent’ because you buy a share in a property owned by a housing association, starting from 25%, and pay rent on the remainder at an affordable rate.
What are the main affordable housing schemes you show on the website?
On our property portal we advertise the two main Government schemes: First Steps in London, for which we are the official portal; and 'Homebuy', which is the name for affordable housing in the rest of England. Specific schemes within London and outside include shared ownership/part rent part buy (as described); shared equity (inc Firstbuy, where you purchase a home outright but receive an equity loan for a large part of your deposit); and rental products including Rent to buy and Intermediate Rent. See our getting started section for more information.
What properties are available?
Most properties available to buy or rent through an affordable scheme, including both First Steps and Homebuy, are new build or recently new. However, the fact that shared ownership properties can be sold on in a process called a 'resale', where the existing share is resold, means that it is possible to part buy a second hand property. There is not currently any national scheme for purchasing any property on the open market in some form of 'affordable' fashion.
Where can I find more information?
Sharetobuy.com is primarily a ‘search’ site for affordable housing, incorporating a property pool, a mortgage comparison site and a shared ownership specialist solicitor panel that are all easy to navigate. For more detailed general information on the various affordable housing schemes, visit our sister website www.shared-ownership.org.uk.
