We have sold our house to first time buyers who are using help-to-buy, presumably the shared ownership type as they are military and this is not a new-build house. I'm really pleased to sell to first time buyers (this was our first home and has lots of happy memories so I like the idea that we can pass it on to someone in a similar situation) and they are being very accommodating to the fact that our vendor is taking a very long time to find somewhere new.
The problem is that they - like most people who do help to buy - do not have a huge amount of cash for the deposit. Any cash that they have is going on the solicitors and they are paying for the house with the mortgage and the government loan (as far as I can tell). They have asked to exchange and complete on the same day which we have said no to as it could be a disaster. They have now asked to pay no deposit on the day of exchange as they won't actually get the money for the house until completion day.
I am inclined to say that's fine as they are clearly committed to the house but I would like something to just firm things up a bit. This is the first time I have ever sold a house so could people advise me (a) is this normal? (b) Do you think they are going to flake out at the last minute? (c) Is there any way I can protect us until completion?