Latest News
Shared Ownership Week 2017: 21st - 27th September
20th September 2017
Shared Ownership Week returns for its fifth year, 21st - 27th September. Shared Ownership week raises awareness this home ownership scheme which offers a life line to thousands of first time buyers.
Step onto the property ladder in the capital at Crest Nicholson's Dylon Works
19th September 2017
Countdown to the London Home Show Autumn 2017: Our sponsor Crest Nicholson give you the low down on their fantastic development Dylon Works, available via Help to Buy London.
Notting Hill sales offers affordable riverside home with Shared Ownership
18th September 2017
Countdown to the London Home Show Autumn 2017: Hear Marco and Olga's story about buying their first home for their young family with Notting Hill Sales.
L&Q Regional Sales Director Lucy Chitty busts her top five myths about home ownership
16th September 2017
Countdown to the London Home Show Autumn 2017: L&Q's Lucy Chitty dispells some of the myths about home ownership.
Shared Ownership Case Studies
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 search tool, a mortgage comparison site and a shared ownership specialist solicitor page that are all easy to navigate. For more detailed general information on getting started, click here www.sharetobuy.com/gettingstarted.
