Is it Difficult to Sell Your Shared Ownership Home?
Understanding the process and how Southern Housing can support you
If you own a Shared Ownership home and are thinking about moving, you might be unsure about how easy it is to sell. This is a common concern, especially among first-time buyers. The truth is, selling a Shared Ownership home is very achievable with the right guidance.
Whether you’re planning to upsize or relocate, Southern Housing New Homes is here to support you throughout the process.
Why Do People Sell Their Shared Ownership Homes?
There are plenty of valid reasons why Shared Ownership homeowners choose to sell, including:
-
Upsizing to a larger home
-
Relocating for work or family
-
Lifestyle changes such as moving in with a partner
-
Staircasing to 100% ownership and choosing to sell on the open market
Shared Ownership is designed to offer flexibility. You're not locked into your home and can sell when your circumstances change.
How Does the Shared Ownership Resale Process Work?
The Shared Ownership resale process is slightly different from selling a home on the open market, but it's straightforward when broken down. Here's how it typically works:
-
Let your housing provider know.
Contact your provider, such as Southern Housing New Homes, to confirm your intention to sell. We’ll guide you through the next steps.
-
Arrange a valuation
A RICS-accredited surveyor will need to assess your home to determine its current market value. This ensures a fair price for both seller and buyer.
-
Marketing your property
Southern Housing will market your home to eligible buyers for a set period, usually around eight weeks, in which we aim to find another Shared Ownership buyer for your home. This is to help in retaining the property under affordable home ownership so it can be similarly passed onto to someone else who is also looking to start their home ownership journey. During this time, your home will be promoted to those actively looking for a Shared Ownership property.
-
Open market sale (if needed)
If no buyer is found during the initial period, you’ll usually have the option to sell through an estate agent or privately, as long as the buyer meets Shared Ownership eligibility criteria.
-
Legal process
Once a buyer is secured, the sale progresses similarly to a standard property transaction, involving solicitors, contracts, and final completion.
You can find more about the step-by-step process here.
Are There Any Challenges?
Selling a Shared Ownership home can present some specific considerations, but these are manageable with the right support.
-
A more specific buyer pool: Because Shared Ownership buyers must meet eligibility criteria, the audience is smaller. However, housing providers like Southern Housing have access to a large network of qualified buyers.
-
Nomination period timing: The initial marketing period may extend your timeline slightly, but often leads to a quicker sale thanks to targeted outreach.
-
Valuation requirements: Using a RICS surveyor is mandatory, but it ensures transparency and market accuracy.
If you've staircased to full ownership, the resale process becomes more like a traditional sale, although your lease may still have specific terms.
How Southern Housing New Homes Supports You
Selling your Shared Ownership home doesn’t mean navigating the process alone. Southern Housing provides support at every stage, including:
-
Guidance on valuation and documentation
-
Help marketing your home to interested buyers
-
Clear timelines and expectations
-
Advice tailored to your personal situation
Our dedicated team ensures you're informed, supported, and confident from start to finish.
Selling is Possible - and You're Not Alone
Selling a Shared Ownership home is entirely achievable, and often much simpler than people expect. With a clearly defined process and help from experts like Southern Housing New Homes, you can make your next move smoothly and with confidence.
Thinking of selling your Shared Ownership home? Get in touch with Southern Housing New Homes or explore more about the resale process today.