Helping you along the buying process

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Search for a property in Reading
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Tools to check your affordability
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Shared Ownership FAQs

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Does Shared Ownership mean sharing with someone else?

No – this is a common misconception but the ‘shared’ aspect of the scheme simply means you’re sharing ownership of your home with a housing association.

If you decide to buy a Shared Ownership home in Reading, you’re effectively purchasing a portion of your property. Your initial share will usually be between 25% to 75%, paying a mortgage on the part that you own and a below market value rent on the remaining share.

Can I ever fully own a Shared Ownership home in Reading?

Yes – Shared Owners can choose to buy additional shares in their property by ‘staircasing’.

When buying a Shared Ownership home, you will initially purchase a minimum percentage somewhere between 25% to 75%. Down the line, if you find that your financial circumstances have changed, buyers will have the option to buy more shares.

If you choose to buy a higher percentage, your mortgage repayments will increase while the rent you pay will decrease. In the majority of cases there aren’t any restrictions and you can buy 100% of your home – in this instance, you would become the outright owner.

Do I meet the eligibility criteria for Shared Ownership homes in Reading?

As a home-buying product aimed at helping those who can’t afford to purchase a property on the open market, there are certain requirements that buyers will need to meet to be considered eligible for Shared Ownership.

For example, there are caps on household income which means that you must earn less than £80,000 to be eligible for the scheme – or less than £90,000 if you would like to buy a home in London. The criteria also states that buyers must be at least 18 years of age and do not own another property either in the UK or abroad.

How much does Shared Ownership cost in Reading?

Shared Ownership properties enable you to put down a smaller deposit compared to those required on the open market – buyers will usually need to put down 5% to 10% of the share that they’re buying, rather than the full market value of the home.

On a monthly basis, buyers will be required to pay their mortgage, a subsidised rent and service charge on their home, however, these repayments often work out cheaper than or equal to renting privately in the same area. Other costs to consider when buying a home include solicitor and mortgage broker fees – you can find out more about these costs on Share to Buy.

Are there Shared Ownership homes in Reading?

Share to Buy lists thousands of Shared Ownership homes all across Reading and beyond – including new build properties and those available through resale.

Shared Ownership is available on a variety of homes including cosy studios, stylish apartments and traditional family homes. Check out our property search tool to start looking for your new home today!

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The steps to find your new Shared Ownership home

1
Research
We have a wealth of tools, FAQs, guides and blogs to help you understand your options
2
Search for a property
Find the right home for you in Reading and register your interest
3
Speak to the specialists
Contact a Mortgage Broker and Solicitor Panels to help you through the buying process

Find your home with Share to Buy

Learn more about the UK's leading first time buyer property portal, specialising in affordable homeownership options including Shared Ownership, First Homes and Deposit Unlock.
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Who are Share to Buy?

Share to Buy is the leading online portal for Shared Ownership properties. Established in 2004 as the UK’s first specialist online mortgage broker for affordable home ownership products, the site has since developed into a one stop shop for first time buyers, offering the country’s largest listing of Shared Ownership homes from many of the UK’s biggest housing providers.

Why should I register with Share to Buy?

Share to Buy is the nation’s biggest and best established affordable home ownership property portal, making it the ideal website for first time buyers looking to take that first step onto the property ladder.

Using our property search tool, you can search for homes that suit your needs via filters such as location, number of bedrooms, monthly outgoings and deposit amount. You can also set up alert preferences so you’ll be notified when new properties that meet your search are announced by email.

Acting as a one stop shop for first time buyers, Share to Buy also offers handy FAQs and guides, interactive mortgage tools, mortgage broker and conveyancing panels, and live events to help potential purchasers on their home-buying journey.

Can I advertise my home on Share to Buy?

If you are a housing association or developer selling properties through Shared Ownership, Help to Buy and other affordable home ownership schemes, we can list your new build and resale homes on the Share to Buy property portal.

As well as working alongside Registered Providers, we also partner with private sellers who are looking to sell their current Shared Ownership home.

Find out more about advertising your Shared Ownership property on Share to Buy.

Shared Ownership Reading - Shared Ownership Properties for Sale in Reading - Share to Buy

Shared Ownership in Reading

Buying your first home can often feel out of reach for many, but Shared Ownership in Reading can help make that dream a reality, and looking for Shared Ownership properties in Reading couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is sign up to Share to Buy and register to receive alerts. Then you can leave it to us, as we’ll automatically notify you when new properties that have been added to your desired area are announced by email.

Help to Buy in Reading

The government Help to Buy scheme was a first time buyer equity loan which ended in Mach 2023. While Help to Buy properties in Reading are no longer available, there are a number of alternative home-buying schemes available including Shared Ownership and other affordable home-buying and rental options. Start the search for your new home on Share to Buy.

Living in Reading

Reading is parked at many crossroads within the British Isles. It’s situated between the River Thames and the River Kennet, near several major cities, including London, and in the nerve centre of some of the country’s most important transport links.

This means that Reading can offer residents a great deal more than the plentiful attractions and opportunities already available within its boundaries. London, OxfordBasingstokeNewbury and many more major destinations are just a quick journey away, whether that be on the aptly titled Great Western Main Line or via the M4 motorway.

Reading’s storied history as a trading centre is a big part of its character, meaning there’s plenty of fascinating sites for lovers of both history and architecture. It’s also a great place for art and culture with a deep-set love of music, highlighted by the annual Reading Festival.

News

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Legal & General Affordable Homes: Lower deposits with Shared Ownership

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Is Sunderland the spot for you?

What to expect living in Sunderland Swathes of countryside, seaside days, and the advantages of city living. Just a few of the things that you can expect with a Shared Ownership home in Sunderland. This historic city has something for all kinds of lifestyles, brimming with the possibility of new adventures and experiences. Whether it’s…

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