EXPERTS
Selling your Shared Ownership home Q I am a first time buyer and I am a little confused. If I buy a Shared Ownership property, will I have problems selling it later? Alex Lawley, Liverpool A It’s a perfectly valid concern and one that many first time buyers share.The short answer is no, selling a Shared Ownership property is a well-established process, and with the right guidance, it can be relatively straightforward. When you decide to sell your Shared Ownership home, you’ll be going through what’s known as a “resale”. Rather than placing the property straight on to the open market, your housing provider will typically have a set process in place.This often includes a nomination period, usually around four to eight weeks, during which it attempts to find a new eligible buyer, often from its own waiting list. If no buyer is found during that time, you will then be allowed to market your share more widely, including through estate agents or online property portals, still under the Shared Ownership model, and at 100%. To support sellers through this process, there are specialist resale agents who work specifically with Shared Ownership properties.
One example is SOWN, an agency that focuses on helping Shared Owners navigate the resale process. Agencies like these work closely with housing associations and understand the requirements involved in selling a Shared Ownership home.They help ensure properties are marketed effectively and to the right audience, usually other first time buyers, or key workers eligible for the scheme or buyers looking on the open market. Of course, just like any sale, factors such as location, presentation, pricing, and demand will all play a role. But the existence of structured resale routes and experienced agents means that selling a shared ownership property should be far from difficult.
Adrian Plant
Planning interiors Q I am a first time buyer and I have recently bought my dream home. After moving costs, my budget for interior design is limited. What rooms and furniture should I prioritise? Callum Shaw, Nottingham A When you first move in, I recommend focusing on the key rooms, places you’ll spend the most time in like your bedroom, kitchen and living room. Knowing you have sanctuaries for sleeping, eating and relaxing will help take the pressure off. For these rooms, it’s wise to invest in a good quality bed, dining table and chairs, and a sofa.You want these to last and be comfortable. Next, think about your basic essentials. Window dressings (such as curtains and blinds) are often overlooked in favour of furniture but are very important.They’re not only useful for light control and privacy but will immediately make a blank space feel more homely. Lighting is another necessity.There was some debate about whether the ceiling (big) light would make a comeback this year but it seems the UK’s preference is still for more ambient lighting. So my advice is to make sure the ceiling light has a shade or fitting (as without it
“must-haves” and “nice-to-haves”.You want furniture that is functional to start off with that can then be upgraded or replaced over a period of time. Use an app like Room Planner to map out your space and make sure your furniture will fit. Some high street retailers like IKEA and DFS also have online software that allows you to design and customise a layout.
the room will feel stark) but then add a mix of side lamps, floor lamps, pendants, and rechargeable, portable lighting to suit different tasks and moods. For the rest of your furniture, I would suggest allowing yourself to spend time in your new home and understand how you use it. It’s easy to get distracted by a sofa sale or half price piece of furniture, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for you. Don’t be a panic buyer! Instead, make a list of
Steve Hird
First Time Buyer October/November 2025 107
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