Shared Ownership Mortgage Guide and FAQs
What are my Shared Ownership mortgage options?
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 a scheme that does not have early repayment charges
You require the lowest possible rate
You can afford to increase your repayments if interest rates rise
Shared Ownership FAQs
Interested in buying a leasehold Shared Ownership home? Find answers to all of your financial and mortgage questions on Share to Buy.
You can use our mortgage comparison tool to get an idea of the Shared Ownership mortgages available on the market. To apply for a mortgage you can then contact the lender directly, or speak with a specialist Shared Ownership mortgage broker.
Contact a specialist mortgage broker