N
Common Ground News

Can I sell my house if I have help to buy?

Author

Sarah Oconnor

Updated on February 20, 2026

Can I sell my house if I have help to buy?

You can sell your home on the open market just as you would with a home not bought with a Help to Buy equity loan. Once you have received an offer you'll need to have the property valued by a surveyor.

Similarly, it is asked, what happens if I sell my help to buy home?

When you sell your Help to Buy home you will repay your equity loan at the same time. So if you initially purchased with a 75% mortgage and a 5% cash deposit and have made no other repayments you will repay 20% of the value of your home at the time you sell.

Secondly, can you put an offer on a house if you haven't sold yours? While you're perfectly entitled to put in an offer on a property when your own house is still up for sale, your offer will be taken more seriously if your own property is under offer. You'll also be in a better position to negotiate a good price if your property is under offer.

Similarly, you may ask, can you buy a new house before selling your old one?

You should never buy a new house before selling your old home at least, that's the conventional wisdom. Because if you buy before you sell, you run the risk of owning two homes at once—and carrying two mortgages!

What happens after 5 years with help to buy?

After five years is up, borrowers must pay a fee of 1.75 per cent of the value of their loan, increasing each year by RPI plus 1 per cent, unless they can pay the loan off, usually by remortgaging.

How much do you pay back on help to buy?

The first five years of the Help to Buy equity loan is interest-free. After the interest-free years, you'll be charged 1.75% on the outstanding amount as interest. This fee will increase each year by RPI plus 1% You only repay the interest, not the equity.

Why would help to buy be declined?

If you are declined by the help to buy mortgage lender:

This could be because you have adverse credit such as county court judgement, a bankruptcy order, a default or an involuntary agreement. You should seek independent advice from a help to buy mortgage lender.

Do help to buy properties lose value?

ONE in seven Help to Buy homes loses its value even when property prices in the local area soar, according to new research. It's interest-free for the first five years, but what you repay is based on your property's value when you come to repay.

What is replacing help to buy?

The new Help to Buy Equity Loan (2021-2023) is due to replace the existing scheme on 1 April 2021, which means that existing homeowners wanting to use the existing Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme to help towards buying a new home have less than five months to apply for the scheme.

Do you have to pay back the help to buy?

The first part of Help to Buy mortgage, launched on April 1, 2013 and available until 2020, is an Equity Loan scheme. Borrowers can choose to repay the equity loan at any time, without penalty. You can pay back either 10% or 20% of the total amount, so long as the loan is worth at least 10% of the value of your home.

Can you let out help to buy?

Help to Buy is not available to assist buy-to-let investors or those who will own any property other than their Help to Buy property after completing their purchase.” To do this, you would need the permission of your help-to-buy's mortgage administrator as well as your mortgage lender's approval.

Do new builds lose value?

New apartments and houses are often the first to see prices soften when the overall market loses momentum; meanwhile, established homes will either maintain their value or experience a very minimal adjustment,” he says.

What if I buy a house before mine sells?

When buying before selling, you risk owning two properties until you can find a buyer. That means you'll face the possibility of paying two mortgages at the same time. This costly situation can quickly turn into a worst-case scenario. If you're lucky, you'll get a great offer for your current home and sell it quickly.

Is it better to sell your house first before buying another?

You might be so focused on getting a new home that you prioritize buying one before selling your current home. If this means you'll pile a second mortgage on your back, you definitely should not buy before you sell. Sure, buying a new home before selling your current home would make it easier to move.

How can I buy another house when I already own one?

Here are several common ways homeowners handle the overlap between buying a new house and selling an old one:
  1. List Your Home Competitively with the Help of a Real Estate Agent.
  2. Make a Contingency Offer.
  3. Rent out Your Old Home.
  4. Use a HELOC or Bridge Loan for a Down Payment on Your New Home.

How do I buy a house while selling mine?

  1. First: Do your research.
  2. Option 1: Buy a new house and cross your fingers.
  3. Option 2: Buy with a sales contingency.
  4. Option 3: Buy with a bridge loan.
  5. Option 4: Use a home equity loan to buy.
  6. Option 5: Consider your alternatives.
  7. Option 6: Sell and cross your fingers.
  8. Option 7: Stretch out the closing process.

How does selling your house and buying a new one work?

The pros and cons of selling first

When you sell your home before buying a new one, you know how much money you have to work with. It's also easier to get a new mortgage when you've sold your old home. You won't have two mortgage payments holding you back. Logistically, selling first is usually the best way to go.

Is it hard to buy and sell a house at the same time?

Selling and buying a home at the same time is difficult in just about any market. It's not just a matter of logistics and coordination, although that's part of it. It's also difficult because to close concurrently, somebody is taking a risk, and that person is often the seller of your new home.

Do you have to pay an estate agent if you decide not to sell?

The estate agent in the contract is the only one allowed to sell your home during the period stipulated. And you will have to pay that estate agent, even if you find your own buyer. It means you have to pay the agent for finding a buyer, even if you decide not to sell.

How can I buy a house without selling mine first?

Options of Buying before Selling

If you are considering buying a house before selling your existing home, here are some of the options to consider: Make a contingent offer. Secure cash to make an all-cash offer: Borrow against 401K, get a bridge loan, home equity line of credit, or alternative options.

How cheeky can a house offer be?

The offer you make boils down to how much the property is worth to you. But it is also down to how much the vendor wants or is prepared to take. Whether you come to an agreement on price is about a willing buyer meeting in the middle with a willing seller. So in reality a cheeky offer could be 20% or 30%, or more.