Buy your house 1% at a time? First-time buyers thrown lifeline as Government reveals overhaul of the shared ownership scheme From April buyers will be able to buy a 10 per cent share in the property   Homeowners will then be able to buy stakes in their home 1 per cent at a time  Government is yet to clarify how expensive fees to up your stake will be reduced  First-time buyers struggling to keep up with rising house prices may have been thrown a lifeline following an overhaul of the government's shared ownership scheme. Under shared ownership, buyers can purchase a small stake in their home and pay a subsidised rent to their housing association on the remaining portion.