With 6 months left until the Help to Buy scheme transitions to first-time buyers only, there have been calls for an alternative to support those who might have benefited from the scheme but no longer meet the criteria. Recent changes to the Shared Ownership initiative include the reduction of the minimum share from 25 % to 10 % giving those who saved enough for the Help to Buy scheme another route to purchase. Help to Buy & shared ownership serve different purposes. The differences between the 2 is shared ownership goes through more rigorous testing. The affordability checks completed mean that shared ownership is tailored to each individual purchaser. Whereas Help to Buy has always been a builder-led scheme if you can afford it. The changes to allow a lower share would invite more people into the shared ownership tenure. With the changes to Help to Buy coming in in March, those looking at Help to Buy will begin looking at shared ownership. Shared Ownership is increasing in demand especially with first-time buyers. This will also work for those on low incomes. Reducing the minimum stake to 10 % will encourage a lot of people to think about taking that first step. Cutting the deposit they need by more than half will clearly make this much more affordable. For help with your mortgage in Bury Saint Edmunds please call The Mortgage Bureau on 01284 337069 https://local.google.com/place?id=1647018459384677851&use=posts&lpsid=3506812269391753376