Shared Ownership Mortgage Guide and FAQs

Find a Shared Ownership mortgage on Share to Buy

 

At Share to Buy we understand that for those who have never needed one before, the prospect of finding a mortgage can be daunting. This guide and the FAQs at the bottom of the page cover all you need to know about finding a mortgage for your Shared Ownership home.

Types of Mortgages

There are several different types of mortgage products on the market. The most common are:

Variable (Standard Variable Rate)

A variable or standard variable rate mortgage is a rate which is set by each mortgage lender and is the rate which borrowers will usually revert to once they have come to the end of an initial fixed or tracker rate.

Fixed Rate

A fixed rate mortgage is one where the interest Rate that you pay is fixed for a set period of time usually 2, 3, 5 or 10 years.

Tracker Mortgage

A tracker mortgage is one where the interest rate will be a given percentage (currently above) the Bank of England base rate for a set period of time. It is a variable rate as the interest rate will change at the same time as any change in the Bank of England base rate.

Discount Mortgage

A discount rate is a variable rate that offers a discount on the lenders’ standard variable rate for a set period – normally 2 to 5 years.

Interest Only

Mortgage lenders are generally only willing to consider an interest only loan if you have a 50% deposit or more and where you can show an acceptable repayment plan. In practice the housing association is most unlikely to agree to your taking out an interest only mortgage on a Shared Ownership purchase.

Which mortgage type is best for me?

Deciding on the most suitable mortgage type for you will very much depend on you financial situation and your appetite for risk.

You are more likely to find a fixed rate preferable if:

  • You are on a tight budget
  • You think that interest rates will increase
  • You prefer to know what your repayments will be over a period of years

A variable rate could be preferred if:

  • You require the lowest possible rate
  • You can afford to increase your repayments if interest rates rise
  • You require a scheme that does not have early repayment charges

 

Browse our helpful FAQs below to answer any Shared Ownership mortgage questions you may have. For more information or to discuss your options, you may wish to speak to a specialist mortgage broker

Should I get an Agreement in Principle before viewing properties?
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It is not essential to get an Agreement in Principle before viewing a home, but it does make sense to do so.

An Agreement in Principle (or Decision in Principle) checks affordability but the really important part of the AIP is the credit score. If there is anything in your financial past that could stop you being able to buy, then you would want to know before being accepted for a home, only to find that you can’t actually buy it.

For more information, visit our Shared Ownership mortgage index.

How long does a Memorandum of Sale (MOS) usually take to get?
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This can vary considerably between housing associations, and whether you are buying a new build or resale home. With a new property you would normally expect to receive the Memorandum of Sale within 10 working days.

Some mortgage lenders will not accept a mortgage application unless the MOS is submitted with the application, while other lenders will want a copy before issuing a mortgage offer.

For more information, visit our page on the documentation required when applying for a mortgage.

What is the difference between a mortgage broker and a financial advisor?
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A qualified mortgage broker is essentially a financial advisor that specialises in mortgages only. They ensure you find the right mortgage with rates that suit your budget, and their expert knowledge of the housing market means they can identify the best lenders and mortgage deals out there.

Mortgage brokers have a duty of care towards you, meaning they must be able to justify any recommendations they make.

An Independent Financial Advisor (IFA) will recommend several products. They can access the whole of the financial market and will have a knowledge of all financial areas (investments, pensions, insurance, etc) in order to match the best product to your individual situation. They will give you impartial, unrestricted advice that considers every financial product on the relevant market.

An IFA will do more than simply tell you where to put your money as their advice is aimed to make your money work for you and help you achieve your goals in life.

For more information, visit our Shared Ownership mortgage index.