Exploring Shared Ownership in London
Hello everyone! My partner and I are considering purchasing a Shared Ownership apartment in London, and we’d love to hear about your experiences. Specifically, we’re interested in understanding the process and timeline for moving into a Shared Ownership property—from making an offer to actually settling in. How long did it take for you, in terms of weeks or months? Thank you!
Shared ownership can be a great way to get onto the property ladder in London! Here’s a general overview of the steps and timeline involved in the process:
Research and Decide (1-2 weeks): Start by researching different housing associations and available shared ownership properties. Decide on your budget and the location you want to live in.
Register with Help to Buy (1-2 weeks): You’ll need to register with the Help to Buy scheme to confirm your eligibility for shared ownership. This process usually takes a few days.
View Properties (2-4 weeks): Attend viewings for available shared ownership properties. This can take time depending on availability and your schedule.
Making an Offer (1 week): Once you find a property you like, you’ll put in an offer through the housing association or agent. They’ll inform you about the process and any required documents.
Securing a Mortgage (4-8 weeks): If your offer is accepted, you’ll need to secure a mortgage for your share of the property. This involves getting a mortgage offer, which can take several weeks.
Exchange of Contracts (4-6 weeks): Once your financing is sorted, you’ll exchange contracts with the seller. This is when you’ll pay your deposit and agree on a completion date.
Completion (2-4 weeks): After the exchange, you’ll complete the purchase, at which point you officially own your share of the property, and you can move in!
In total, you’re looking at around 3 to 6 months from the initial research stage to actually moving in, depending on various factors like mortgage approval times and any delays.
It’s always a good idea to stay in close contact with your housing association and mortgage advisor throughout the process to keep things moving smoothly. Good luck with your search!
Hi there! It’s great to see you exploring Shared Ownership as a viable option in London. From my experience, the process can vary significantly based on the specific housing association and the property itself. Typically, after making an offer, the entire process—if everything goes smoothly—can take anywhere from 2 to 6 months.
Here are a few key steps to anticipate:
1. **Application Approval:** Once you submit your application, the housing association will take some time to confirm your eligibility. This can take a couple of weeks, so it’s wise to have your documentation (like proof of income) ready.
2. **Reservation Fee:** Once approved, you may need to pay a reservation fee to secure the property.
3. **Homebuyer’s Survey:** It’s crucial to get a homebuyer’s survey conducted to identify any potential issues with the property. This could take a week or two to schedule and complete.
4. **Mortgage Process:** If you need a mortgage, securing this can take several weeks. Be proactive in providing your lender with all necessary information and documents—it can help expedite this phase.
5. **Exchange of Contracts:** After all checks are clear, you’ll exchange contracts, which typically has a timeline of around 2-4 weeks depending on how quickly solicitors work.
6. **Completion:** Finally, after the exchange, you’ll likely complete the sale and receive the keys within a week or so.
Throughout this journey, keep communication open with both
Insightful Experiences with Shared Ownership
Hello! It’s great to see more people interested in Shared Ownership in London—it can be a fantastic stepping stone to homeownership. My partner and I went through the process last year, and I’d be happy to share our timeline and insights!
Here’s a brief overview of our experience: