Archive for the ‘News’ Category
Sunday, April 22nd, 2012
Equity release schemes have now been in existence for over 15 years in their current format. Here we answer some common questions such as – ‘Can I get a better interest rate?’ & ‘Can I borrow additional funds?’.
Equity release schemes allow you to free up some or all of the equity tied up in your property and use the tax free cash for lifestyle reasons. This can be a particularly useful option for those who do not have enough cash flow and own a property, but do not wish to sell it.
If you already have an equity release scheme but for some reason you’re thinking, ‘should I remortgage my equity release?’ it may be worth your while to compare equity release rates & deals to find a more suitable product.
The equity release market is constantly changing, with interest rates rising and falling, and new innovative equity release schemes becoming available all the time. For instance, interest rates at the moment are much lower than they were just a few years back. So if you decide to remortgage your equity release just now, the fall in interest rates could result in significant savings for you over the long term, even when you take into account the setting up costs, which include solicitors fees, application fees etc. Not only that but you may have released all the money from your original plan & now find you require a ‘top-up’ to continue enjoying your retirement.
Why should I review my existing equity release plan?
With equity release schemes becoming increasingly popular, equity release providers are developing new products and schemes all the time. Something that was not an option a few years ago may now have become entirely possible. Therefore, a more suitable and pragmatic product may now be available. This means that by reviewing your existing equity release UK plan and shopping around for new options is a good idea, especially at this point in time.
What should I look out for?
Equity release schemes are defined as a lifetime mortgage. As such all plans have some form of in-build early repayment charge which is differentiated by the company offering the equity release plan. These penalties can exist for a set number of years on a fixed basis, or alternatively they can be linked to an investment such as government gilts or Bank of England base rate.
Particularly government gilts seem to be a favourable barometer used in today’s equity release marketplace. The two largest lifetime mortgage companies – AVIVA & Just Retirement have decided to use them, so you need to be aware of potential back end penalties if the equity release mortgage is paid off early. Other potential suitors such as LV= (Liverpool Victoria) & New Life Mortgages will only charge a fixed percentage penalty over either 5 or 10 years, with no penalty thereafter.
What is the next step?
If you are considering remortgaging your existing equity release scheme you must seek the professional services of an equity release adviser who has the experience of remortgage work. The adviser should be independent, so as to have the whole range of equity release schemes at their disposal. This is important as to remortgage again will incur a new round of equity release set up costs which need to be minimised as much as possible to ensure the new equity release deal is viable.
Before you decide to proceed with an equity release remortgage, it is important to consider several factors.
Remortgaging an existing equity release plan is not just a matter of switching to a new policy.
The following areas all need to be assessed & equity release comparisons made: -
- Current value of the property – this may have changed since the original valuation, particularly in light of recent market conditions
- Age of the youngest applicant – since the original equity release plan was taken out, you will be older, thus the loan-to-value ratio’s will have increased also meaning you can borrow a higher percentage of the house value
- Balance of the existing equity release scheme – this can be based on your last annual statement or by requesting a redemption statement from your lender
- Whether any early repayment charges would apply? – this can be ascertained from the redemption statement that should be ordered from your existing lifetime mortgage provider. This figure can be the difference between staying & switching plans dependent & the size & duration thereof.
Upon collating this data your equity release adviser can make an informed decision as to whether to stay put, or it’s in your best interests to switch plans. This is where the adviser’s independence becomes important. With any new equity release application comes a new set of set up costs. However, if your adviser can obtain a free valuation, cashback or any other incentive current available, then this will mitigate some of the new charges & make the whole process more worthwhile.
Professional financial advisers from Equity Release Supermarket will have all these tools at their disposal. With years of practical experience & many advisers having worked at the likes of AVIVA & Prudential, we know how these plans can be remortgaged & transacted quickly & cost effectively. With our current crop of best equity release deals we ever had, now is definitely a good time as any to consider saving yourselves, & your beneficiaries £1000’s by switching your existing equity release plan.
For a FREE no obligation equity release remortgage analysis, please contact the Equity Release Supermarket team on 0800 678 5159.
Alternatively, please complete the ‘find an adviser’ contact form to book an appointment with your local equity release adviser.
Equity Release Supermarket is one of the leading independent, over 55’s equity release specialists who have won awards for quality & impartial advice.
They can be contacted at mark@equityreleasesupermarket.co.uk where your enquiry will be treated with strictest confidence.
Tags: Aviva, cashback, early repayment charges, equity release, Equity Release Adviser, equity release awards, Equity release interest rates, equity release remortgage, equity release schemes, Equity Release Supermarket, Financial adviser, free valuation, Just Retirement, lifetime mortgage schemes, lifetime mortgages, LV=, New Life Mortgages, Prudential Equity Release
Posted in Equity Release, News | No Comments »
Friday, April 20th, 2012
News today in the equity release sector, is that Stonehaven’s range of equity release schemes are now available in mainland Scotland.
Stonehaven have been providing equity release mortgages in England and Wales since August 2006. However, due to strong demand for its range of interest only lifetime mortgages entitled ‘Interest Select’ plans, they have now incorporated the Scottish legal process into their equity release application. Therefore, with previous limited availability in Scotland for interest only lifetime mortgages, this should come as a great relief for many over 55′s in Scotland needing financial support for their retirement.
Why Has the Stonehaven Interest Select Plan Become So Popular?
Opinion is split whenever deciding to take a release of equity from a retiree’s property. Gone are the days when a one-off tax free lump sum was the only option. With the increasing flexibility in the market such as the drawdown lifetime mortgage & new enhanced equity release schemes, lenders are looking more towards ‘niche’ equity release plans.
Having captured the interest only mortgage market for the over 55′s, Stonehaven who were originally funded by Santander have come, gone, & are now back with there revised range of Interest Select Options & Lump Sum Plans. With healthy lending for 2012 & with the backing of a large mutual enhanced annuities provider, Stonehaven are now broadening their horizons & diversifying into Scotland.
People over the age of 55 are looking at different means of releasing equity from their property. Not only that, there are different financial attitudes towards their property & ultimate inheritance. This has increased awareness of the impact that roll-up equity release schemes have had on people’s inheritance on schemes previously taken out. Due to the compounding effect of the interest on roll-up schemes, many retirees have turned up their noses to conventional equity release mortgages.
This is where Stonehaven as an equity release company has benefitted. Possibly due somewhat to the demise of the Halifax Retirement Home Plan, Equity Release Supermarket advisers have seen a significant rise in enquiries for an interest only lifetime mortgage. There is a strong demand for an interest only mortgage for the over 55′s, and this signifies the fact that a majority of pensioners still have income to support a retirement mortgage. This age group has many advantages to prospective mortgage lenders, however for reasons discussed later in this article, they are significantly overlooked.
Why have Mortgages for Pensioners been Overlooked?
With a large proportion of equity in their properties, hence low loan-to-values, usually a good credit history & repayment record, the over 55′s are favourable for a mortgage where interest only repayment is only required. The Stonehaven range of Interest Select Plans have given this situation much thought, not only to the positive aspects, but also to the negatives in particular if someone encounters financial difficulties during the term of their plan. They have a specific ‘safety net’ in place that has the option that upon missing 3 monthly payments, or the planholder opts not to make anymore monthly payments, the plan can converted over to a roll-up lifetime mortgage. This removes any concern over incurring a poor credit record & eliminates any risk of repossession.
In addition the Protected Equity guarantee is available whcih can ensure that your beneficiaries receive a percentage of the final sale value of the property. Peace of mind for sure.
The Interest Only Mortgage Ticking ‘Timebomb’
Previous articles have discussed the FSA (Financial Services Authority) crackdown on mortgage lenders offering interest only deals. Correctly, this has made pre-retirement applications for interest only mortgages more stringent & more capital & repayment mortgages are now taken as a result.
However, this sweeping clampdown has also impacted on the post-retirement mortgage market. It seems the old adage ‘tarred with the same brush’ has been applied to the whole demographic mortgage population. It shouldn’t, as a different set of rules & principles apply to mortgages in retirement. Retirement mortgages should be made more available on an interest only or capital & repayment basis. There should be more understanding from the powers that be that the needs of pensioners are significantly different than those pre-retirement.
Retirees do not necessarily need, or want the eventual repayment of capital. Considering the FSA are regulating & accepting the principle of roll-up equity release schemes, then why the reluctance for interest only mortgages in retirement?
Exceptions should be made & this sector of the mortgage market be subject to a further review.
Nevertheless, one company who has received FSA & SHIP (Safe Home Income Plan) approval for its interest only retirement mortgage is Stonehaven. With foresight of circumstances to come & which were conceived over a decade ago, Stonehaven are currently, & will be, reeping the benefits.
Endowment shortfalls are now becoming more evident & with Aviva only expecting 1% of its low cost endowment plans to meet their targets in 2012, then we can see why mortgages into retirement are going to become a common occurrence. In addition for many reasons people are approaching retirement with a mortgage and no form of repayment. With lenders such as Santander, Woolwich, Halifax & Nationwide not extending terms for those reaching the end of their interest only mortgage terms, a solution for their plight needs to be found.
Stonehaven Solutions
Well, this is where Stonehaven see’s how their interest only lifetime mortgage can resolve such issues. Dependent on the size of the mortgage & property valuation, Stonehaven maybe be able to assist. By using the Stonehaven equity release calculator, one can ascertain the maximum amount they could lend & hopefully assist in remortgaging from the previous lender. This would be the ideal situation, but not always the best. Alternatives should be considered such as downsizing, using savings or getting assistance from family & friends, however this may not be in the best interests of the mortgagors & family ties may over rule such as decision.
If Stonehaven can raise sufficient equity on your property to repay the mortgage, it would mean transferring onto a lifetime mortgage product which then eliminates any concerns over repayment in the future. In fact repayment is only required upon 2nd death or moving into long term care. The only obligation during the term is to maintain interest only payments which will remain EXACTLY the same for life due to the lifetime fixed interest rate which currently start from 6.08% (6.40% typical APR).
Therefore, someone borrowing £25,000 on the Stonehaven Interest Select Lite plan would find their monthly payments at just £119.96pm fixed for life!
Next Steps
To discuss your interest only lifetime mortgage options & alternatives as to whether the Stonehaven equity release plans are suitable to meet your requirements, contact your local independent adviser at Equity Release Supermarket by calling freephone 0800 678 5159.
Additionally, visit the Equity Release Supermarket website & read the dedicated Stonehaven Interest Select page detailing the product features & current rates available. Here you can request a Stonehaven quote & gain a greater understanding of all Stonehaven’s schemes.
Tags: drawdown equity release, equity release, Equity Release Adviser, Equity release calculator, equity release schemes, Equity Release Supermarket, FSA, Halifax Retirement Home Plan, interest only lifetime mortgage, interest only mortgage, lifetime mortgage schemes, lifetime mortgages, Roll up lifetime mortgage, SHIP, Stonehaven, Stonehaven equity release, Stonehaven interest select
Posted in Advice, News, Stonehaven Interest Select | No Comments »
Monday, April 2nd, 2012
Following in the steps of the Stonehaven Interest Select plan, Hodge Lifetime are launching a new equity release plan with repayment options that include NO early repayment charges.
Previously, only Stonehaven equity release had created a niche in the lifetime mortgage market by offering an interest only lifetime mortgage. Stonehaven allow you the facility to repay the interest charged monthly, thus maintaining a level balance.
However, Hodge Lifetime has now created their own niche product, by offering a roll-up equity release plan with a spin. The unique feature of the plan is the facility of allowing partial repayments of upto 10% per annum with no penalty. This is a first in this previously inflexible early repayment charge equity release UK market.
The Mechanics
The option to repay without penalty applies after the plan has been running for at least 12 months. You then have the possibility of repaying all of the interest & an even an element of capital, if you wish. The minimum repayment is £500.
The major advantage of this lifetime mortgage is that no penalty would apply to this repayment as long as no more than 10% of the initial capital borrowed is repaid.
An example of this would be someone borrowing £25,000 initially. After, 12 months of the plan running they can then repay upto £2,500 each year thereafter. With a launch interest rate of just 6.31% annual equivalent, by paying the full 10% allowance would allow you to repay not only the interest but also the capital. The Hodge Lifetime Plan could then effectively be even used as a form of flexible lifetime repayment mortgage!
Background to Hodge Lifetime
Hodge Lifetime introduced the very first equity release plans in 1965 and have continued to earn a reputation for reliability ever since. Hodge Lifetime is a subsidiary of Julian Hodge Bank and is a founder member of SHIP (Safe Home Income Plans).
Plan Facts
The Hodge Lifetime Lump Sum Lifetime Mortgage allows you to take a single cash lump sum with a fixed interest rate for life. Plans start at age 60 & there is a minimum property value of £100,000 with a £20,000 minimum initial withdrawal limit. The plan is available in England, Wales & mainland Scotland.
Hodge Lifetime’s standard early repayment charges only apply for the first 5 years on a 5,4,3,2,1 basis. There is also an additional potential variable repayment charge dependent upon the movement in 25 year interest rate swap rates.
However, this variable penalty will be waived after 5 years. This ‘Downsizing Protection’ feature allows you to repay the Hodge Equity Release Plan with NO penalty if you move home after 5 years.
However, the main focus surely on the Hodge Lifetime Lump Sum equity release plan will be possibility of repayment the interest with a choice of when & how much.
No other equity release schemes provider will permit this at present with so much flexibility. Hodge will allow two payments per annum subject to the 10% maximum repayment & no penalty.
Who Would the Repayment Facility Benefit?
People who maybe wish to inhibit the traditional roll-up effect of their equity release plan would find the Hodge Lifetime plan of benefit.
- Those unable to commit to a fixed monthly repayment as their preferred choice would be to make ad-hoc repayments once a cash sum has been saved.
- People who may receive an unexpected windfall in the future
- Parents who may wish to gift to their children for financial reasons (e.g. house purchase) knowing they will be repaid over a future term
- Those at Pre-state pension age, need a capital lump sum now, but may wish to repay chunks back in the future from their extra income
- The list could go on…
What to do next…
If you have been dissuaded by equity release early repayment charges in the past, then take a close look at this exciting new plan from Hodge Lifetime. The ability to repay 10% off the balance each year with NO penalty is unique.
With an opening offer of a reduced valuation fee of £99 for property values upto £350,000, this certainly looks likely to follow hot on the heels of Stonehaven’s Interest Select Plan.
For further information or to request a quote please visit Equity Release Supermarket’s dedicated Hodge Lifetime Lump Sum equity release page. Alternatively call the team on 0800 678 5159.
Tags: equity release, equity release schemes, Equity Release Supermarket, free valuation, Hodge, Hodge Lifetime, interest only lifetime mortgage, No early repayment charges, roll-up
Posted in Interest Only Lifetime Mortgage, News | No Comments »
Friday, February 10th, 2012
Just as you thought things couldn’t get much better with equity release interest rates, Stonehaven have joined the latest interest rate war by announcing the lowest annual interest rate yet of just 5.89%.
It looks like Aviva & Just Retirement have stirred up a hornets nest within the equity release market.
Stonehaven equity release have stated they will be reducing their lifetime mortgage interest rates across their whole product range with effect from Monday 13th February 2012. With their benchmark gilt rate now falling to just over 2% they have reduced their interest rates accordingly & maybe more reductions to follow?
The greatest reduction has been on their interest only lifetime mortgage product – Interest Select Max which offers the highest loan-to-value. This has been reduced from 7.57% down to 7.10% monthly.
For comparison purposes, on a £50,000 Stonehaven Interest Select Max mortgage, the monthly payments would have reduced from £315pm down to £296pm. A saving of almost £20pm.
However, the greatest reduction is evident the lump sum product range & it seems Stonehaven are now trying to capture more of the lump sum equity release market. Hence their slightly aggressive stance in lowering below Aviva’s 5.92% rate announced only the other day.
Their niche interest only lifetime mortgage has played a major role in assisting people who have been left stranded by the recent withdrawal of the Halifax Retirement Home Plan.Without the Stonehaven interest select mortgage, there would be no other interest only lifetime mortgage lender in England & Wales.
This is due to the fact that Stonehaven only lend in England & Wales, which means that people in Scotland & Northern Ireland still need to source alternative lenders should they be looking for interest only mortgages. Equity Release Supermarket can still assist here but please contact us on 0800 678 5159 for details.
Details of Stonehaven’s new interest rates are as follows: -
Lump Sum Lite 5.89% (was 6.13%)
Lump Sum 5.98%
Their range of interest only lifetime mortgage rates are as follows: -
Interest Select Lite 6.08% (was £6.13%)
Interest Select 6.17%
Interest Select Plus 6.46%
Interest Select Max 7.10%
If any of these new deals are of interest to you, please contact the Equity Release Supermarket team on 0800 678 5159 where an adviser can provide guidance as to which Stonehaven equity release mortgage would be suitable.
Alternatively, you can email on mark@equityreleasesupermarket.co.uk
Further links for Stonehaven are as follows: -
Request a Stonehaven Quote | Stonehaven Factsheet | Stonehaven Deals |
Request Stonehaven Advice
Tags: Aviva, equity release, Equity Release Adviser, Equity release interest rates, equity release schemes, Equity Release Supermarket, Halifax Retirement Home Plan, interest only lifetime mortgage, interest only mortgage, Just Retirement, lifetime mortgage schemes, lifetime mortgages, Stonehaven, Stonehaven equity release, Stonehaven interest select
Posted in Halifax Retirement Home Plan, Interest Only Lifetime Mortgage, News, Stonehaven Interest Select | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012
Aviva today announce an exclusive 5.92%pa interest rate to Equity Release Supermarket on its Lifestyle Flexi plan.
News had it that 2012 was going to be a breakthrough year for the Equity Release Market. Today this statement was confirmed.
The first sub 6% annual interest rate for over 5 years will have a major impact on the equity release market & confidence in general.
Ironically enough, this followed news earlier in the day from Just Retirement that it had just reduced its own rate in reaction to Aviva’s a week earlier. The new Just Retirement rate of 6.15% pa was considered extremely competitive until Aviva gatecrashed their party later on in the day.
Today’s groundbreaking news on the Aviva Lifestyle Flexi plan has come hot on the heals of my previous news items of 27th January & 30th January in announcing earlier Aviva and LV= rate reductions.
So why is there such an equity release interest rate war currently?
We need to look at the market as whole, the recent economic factors & how these companies are funded.
Both Aviva & Just Retirement are big annuity providers & companies with the backing of annuities have been able to ride the storm, ever since the credit crunch began a few years ago. You may be aware that most equity release companies with bank funding such as Saffron, Coventry Building Society & Hodge Lifetime to some degree, have dropped out of the market. Longer term funding has been an issue for them.
However, this doesn’t answer the whole story, so lets look a bit deeper…
We have mentioned the credit crunch. It is evident first hand from our Equity Release Supermarket data that a significant element of equity release loans are for financial, rather than lifestyle factors. This means there is a greater emphasis on ‘need’ rather than ‘wants’.
Retirees in general are finding retirement a financial struggle in trying to make ends meet. Overall attitude towards retirement & their legacies has also changed over the years with a more ‘live for today’ motto. With drawdown equity release plans becoming increasingly popular, this lends true to our analysis.
People are taking just enough for today to clear debts, help the kids & have a small amount behind them to provide that ‘cushion’ that provides them with a feel good factor.
The Aviva Lifestyle Flexi Deal in Finer Detail
- Market leading fixed interest rate of 5.92%
- £500 cashback on completion
- FREE valuation upto £1 million
- Drawdown equity release scheme
- Earliest age for application of 55 years
- Minimum £10,000 initial loan
- Minimum property valuation of £75,000
In addition to the great news on their lowest interest rate for years, now is as good time as any to take out an Aviva Equity Release Plan. With both a £500 cashback & free valuation offer, the net set up costs for an equity release application are now minimal. With Equity Release Supermarket’s advice fee being lower than its major competitors, then now is the time to seriously considering taking out an equity release plan with Equity Release Supermarket, if you have strong intentions to do so anyway.
Early Repayment Advantages with Aviva
With GILT rates at a current all time low, it would also favour equity release lenders who use gilts to govern their early repayment charges. Aviva use an individual government gilt to measure whether a future early repayment charge will apply. The yield of this gilt is noted on the day the equity release plan starts. Upon redemption, the yield is noted at that point & gauged to see whether it has it increased or fallen during that period.
Should the gilt yield have increased or stayed the same then NO penalty will apply. Aviva will even permit a reduction of 0.12 basis points before even applying a penalty.Therefore, with gilt rates currently being so low, there is less likelihood of the yields falling today than ever previously. However, this cannot be guaranteed & if you are considering early repayment then speak to our team of advisers first.
With a national team of equity release advisers who can provide both face-to-face & phone based financial advice, we are only a telephone call away from offering you a market leading equity release deal.
If you would like to take advantage of a free initial consultation regarding the Aviva or any other equity release mortgage, please call the Equity Release Supermarket team on 0800 678 5159 or email mark@equityreleasesupermarket.co.uk
The following links provide further equity release information: -
Request an Aviva quote | Request a Just Retirement quote |Find an local adviser
Equity Release Calculator
Tags: Aviva, cashback, drawdown equity release, equity release, Equity Release Adviser, Equity release calculator, Equity release interest rates, equity release schemes, Equity Release Supermarket, free valuation, Just Retirement, lifetime mortgage schemes, lowest interest rate
Posted in Equity Release, News | No Comments »
Friday, January 27th, 2012
With the latest round of equity release rate reductions, it seems both Aviva & Just Retirement are vying for top spot.
Currently, Just Retirement lead the way with their round of reductions a few weeks ago at a market leading 6.2% annual rate.
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However, Equity Release Supermarket have been notified that with effect from next week the Aviva flexi drawdown plan is set to become the market leader again by usurping Just Retirement with a reduction of 0.12% to a new market leading rate of just 6.1% annual rate.
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Mark Gregory – Director & founder of Equity Release Supermarket comments – “This is excellent news & the price war has been long awaited. Equity release interest rates have been in the doldrums recently compared to mainstream interest rates. We are getting back to rates from a few years ago & that sub 6% barrier is now not too far away. This new Aviva rate is exclusive with further benefits of a free valuation & an excellent £500 cashback on completion for the client. With gilts rates so low at present, now is as good time as any to be considering taking out an Aviva Equity Release plan.”
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Equity Release Supermarket are one of the leading independent equity release advisory firms in the UK currently & can be found on their informative website http://www.equityreleasesupermarket.co.uk.
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If you require information on the new Aviva Flexi deal please call 0800 678 5159 where one of the equity release team would be willing to assist & provide further details.
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Tags: Aviva, drawdown equity release, equity release, Equity Release Adviser, Equity release interest rates, equity release schemes, Equity Release Supermarket, Just Retirement, Roll up lifetime mortgage
Posted in Equity Release, News | No Comments »
Sunday, January 15th, 2012
The current financial climate is quite simply awful for many people. Particularly, the retired & elderly are really struggling to make ends meet. Many retired people who left their work before the crisis hit have had to watch in horror as a lot of the value they had expected to retire on has been wiped away by stockmarkets & low interest rates with the banks & building societies. Sometimes, what is left in the pension isn’t enough, and their reaction is that they should sell their house in order to ensure a comfortable retirement.
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However, with equity release plans, this might not necessarily be required. Instead of selling the family home, why not release equity to cover the short term finances. We maybe only talking a small sum to tie you over until prospects improve. Therefore, for the sake of selling in a depressed property market, bide your time & think carefully about your options available. Equity release schemes can play an important role here.
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Equity release schemes are form of mortgage that enables people over age 55 to release locked up equity in their main residence. The typical and most commonly thought of equity release schemes are actually called lifetime mortgages. Lifetime mortgages are available to those over 55, and have specific characteristics which reflect this unique stage in life.
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Equity release schemes are like normal mortgages in that they are associated money & a property. However, where most mortgages are used to purchase the property over an extended period of time, equity release mortgages are new mortgages placed on properties which already have or virtually paid off the mortgage. The result is that while the property now has some debt associated with it, the value that is unlocked can be used for large scale projects or purchases, supplement pensions or more commonly home improvements.
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The other difference between an equity release lifetime mortgage and a normal mortgage is that with an equity release mortgage the assumption is that the balance will be paid off when the person who holds the plan sells the asset or as a part of the inheritance estate. This is why the over 55 age restriction on equity release schemes is so important. These financial products are designed to run for the rest of one’s life, so there is no call upon the repayment of the capital until death or moving into long term care.
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Many retired people watched the drop in markets sweep billions from the values of the pension funds, and therefore pushing significant financial pressure inwardly. It is easy to see how the equity release mortgage would be an excellent option for retired people who are struggling either for income or a capital lump sum. Where they were potentially considering having to sell the family home or go back to work, many retired people can supplement their pensions with the value withdrawn via an equity release scheme.
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As lifetime mortgage & home reversion plans are now members of SHIP, you always have the option of repaying the scheme during your lifetime. However, be wary of potential early repayment charges which some gilt related schemes can significantly impose. One way providers can recover their costs is through these means.
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Often people think that equity release is tantamount to putting debts on to the next generation. What is important to keep in mind that with lifetime mortgages the ownership of the property stays in the hands of the plan owner, just like a regular mortgage. In fact, usually the biggest difference between a normal mortgage and an equity release mortgage is that the terms of the equity release plan are more favourable as they consider the age of the owner of the plan, and factor that into the calculations.
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This means that those who inherit the property may also inherit the debt, but they now have the option to decide if they want to keep the property with a normal mortgage, or sell the asset and recover the rest of the equity. These are options which can be passed onward in an estate, making it easier for the family to make decisions which are appropriate for them.
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Selling one’s house is an emotive issue & needs to be discussed with those closest to you. Next step would be to discuss whether equity release schemes are a viable option & this is where Equity Release Supermarket can use their considerable experience & knowledge to help.
For an impartial & free initial consultation call Mark on 0800 678 5159 who can offer words of advice. Alternatively,in confidence email mark@equityreleasesupermarket with any questions you may have.
Tags: equity release, equity release mortgage, equity release schemes, Equity Release Supermarket, Financial adviser, FSA, home reversion, lifetime mortgage, lifetime mortgage schemes, lifetime mortgages, SHIP
Posted in Advice, Equity Release, News | No Comments »
Saturday, November 12th, 2011
Following hot on the heels of Equity Release Supermarket’s recently advertised Aviva cashback/valuation/interest rate deal, Director Mark Gregory is pleased to report a further exclusive equity release offer from Just Retirement.
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‘We are pleased to advise that we now can provide a much improved offering to our customers from Just Retirement. On the back of a successful year in the equity release market, our achievements have now been recognised & rewarded by Just Retirement.’
Similar in nature to the Aviva deal, Just Retirement are to offer Equity Release Supermarket customers an amazing £700 cashback, FREE unlimited valuation & specially reduced interest rate of 6.35%.
The £700 cashback coupled with free unlimited valuation will enable our customers to submit an equity release application with NO upfront fees.
Major beneficiaries of the free valuation will be the applicants with higher property values, who will benefit from a completely FREE valuation. An example of this can be seen on a property valuation of £500,000 which will save such Equity Release Supermarket customers a sizeable further£500!’
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The combination of free valuation & cashback (which offsets the application fee) results in the only fixed set up cost to be the equity release legal fees. These can be offered to Equity Release Supermarket customers for as low as £349+VAT & disbursements.
Just Retirement are one of the leading equity release companies whose drawdown scheme has recently undergone a major review, the results of which are now becoming evident.
The Just Retirement drawdown facility, which used to be capped at 100% of the initial release, has now been revised for the first time since its inception over 5 years ago.
The review has resulted in Just Retirement’s drawdown facility being increased from 100% to 200% of the initial withdrawal. This now puts it in line with fellow equity release lenders such as LV= which uses the same formula for calculation of the size of the additional reserve facility.
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To request a quote on the special offer from Just Retirement please click here.
To find your local Equity Release Supermarket adviser please click here or call freephone 0800 678 5159.
Tags: cashback deal, drawdown equity release, equity release, Equity Release Adviser, Equity release interest rates, equity release schemes, Equity Release Supermarket, exclusive interest rate, free valuation, Just Retirement special offer
Posted in Equity Release, News | No Comments »
Friday, November 11th, 2011
Equity Release Supermarket is pleased to announce its new equity release deal from Aviva.
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Commenting on the exciting new deal from Aviva equity release which offers clients a FREE valuation* plus a £500 cashback & specially reduced interest rate of 6.32%, director Mark Gregory states…
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‘the offer from Aviva is testament to the work & progress Equity Release Supermarket is making in the equity release market. Buoyed by the growing consumer confidence in equity release schemes, I feel that we are now positioned to increase our market share. Excellent deals from the likes of major equity release companies such as Aviva will help my team of advisers promote such competitive equity release plans.
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Equity Release Supermarket are now recognised as one of the major independent equity release brokers in the UK. Their market leading website offers all the current equity release interest rates & exclusive offers currently available.
Experience the Equity Release Supermarket website or to speak to one of their experienced equity release advisers call freephone 0800 678 5159.
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*Free valuation applies to property valuations upto £250,000
Tags: Aviva, Aviva cashback deal, Aviva equity release, Aviva free valuation, equity release, Equity release interest rates, equity release schemes, Equity Release Supermarket
Posted in Equity Release, News | No Comments »
Thursday, August 11th, 2011
It is with regret that we are notifying all our Equity Release Supermarket enquirers that the Halifax Retirement Home Plan is being withdrawn with effect from the close of business on Wednesday 17th August 2011.
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After this date NO further applications will be accepted onto this scheme.
Therefore, to take advantage of this plan all applications must have been submitted by 8pm on the evening of the 17th August 2011.
There is some good news for existing retirement home plan mortgage customers in that they will remain unaffected & their terms & conditions will remain in accordance with their mortgage deed.
Post 17th August, no further applications will acceptable & this will be the last chance to gain access to this unique pensioner mortgage.
With further options for interest only lifetime mortgages remaining limited, act now to secure a last minute place on the Halifax Retirement Home Plan scheme.
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To make a last minute enquiry call the Equity Release Supermarket team immediately on 0800 678 5159 or email mark@equityreleasesupermarket.co.uk
Tags: Halifa retirement home plan mortgage, halifax equity release, Halifax Retirement Home Plan, Halifax Retirement mortgage, interest only lifetime mortgage, interest only mortgage
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