I want help to buy a home

Where to look to buy properties

If you're looking to buy a property contact local estate agents. The following websites may also be of use:

• Rightmove
• Zoopla

These websites are for information only and are not a recommendation from the Council.

Own Your Home schemes

Whether you are looking to get onto the housing ladder or move up it, there are a number of Own Your Home schemes designed to make buying a home more affordable, including:

Shared Ownership - new build and re-sales

Depending on how much you can afford, shared ownership allows you to buy a percentage share of a property while a local housing association retains the other share.

It is sometimes known as 'part-buy part-rent' because you will then be charged a rental payment on the remaining share owned by the housing association. In most cases shared owners can choose to buy additional shares later on to increase their equity.

Lifetime ISA

You can use a Lifetime ISA to buy your first home or save for later life. You must be 18 or over but under 40 to open a Lifetime ISA.

You can put in up to £4000 each year, until you're 50. You must make your first payment into your ISA before you're 40.

The government will add a 25% bonus to your savings, up to a maximum of £1,000 per year.

You can hold cash or stocks and shares in your Lifetime ISA, or have a combination of both.

When you turn 50, you will not be able to pay into your Lifetime ISA or earn the 25% bonus. Your account will stay open and your savings will earn interest or investment return.

Find out more:

www.ownyourhome.gov.uk