Posts Tagged ‘Equity release interest rates’
Friday, February 15th, 2013
Are you one of those lifetime mortgage borrowers who were originally with Northern Rock but, since March 2012, have seen the ownership of your mortgage transferred to Papilio UK Equity Release Mortgages Ltd, a subsidiary of J P Morgan?
If so, do you realise that you are probably paying interest at more than 1.3% higher than rates charged by some other lifetime mortgage lenders? And Papilio UK Equity Release no longer allows you to take further loans from the equity in your home, an option Northern Rock originally considered!
If so, you could make considerable savings by the simple process of remortgaging to another regulated lifetime mortgage lender. With equity release schemes now in the prime of their life, now has never been a better time anyway to consider an equity release remortgage.
For example, assuming you remortgaged an equity release balance of £50,000 onto a fixed rate of 5.60% instead of the 6.99% currently charged by Papilio UK, after 10 years you could save yourselves, and your beneficiaries approximately £12,000 in interest charges.
Competitiveness & Flexibility of New Plans
Depending upon the value of your home, many new lenders will allow you access to further loans either immediately, or by providing a cash reserve to draw upon at your discretion. Drawdown lifetime mortgages now account for the majority of equity release schemes taken out and provide best advice for those retirees that only need a smaller upfront lump sum, but may require additional cash in the future.
Modern day lifetime mortgage schemes have surpassed the rigid plans of old. Since Northern Rock (aka Papilio) withdrew providing equity release mortgages the market has seen diversification unseen before. With the advent of interest only lifetime mortgage schemes, we have experience of people actually switching from old roll-up lifetime mortgage plans. Where they feel the balance has reached a point whereby they no longer want it to increase any further, they can switch to an interest only lifetime mortgage. This option may never have been available in the past.
A free initial comparison offer
Should you have a Papilio UK equity release mortgage then you will undoubtedly be paying over the odds on your interest rate. Many people contact us who hold an existing Northern Rock mortgage and ask for the Papilio UK equity release mortgages ltd telephone number to contact them. Equity Release Supermarket has advisers that are experienced in analysing whether it would be in one’s interest to switch equity release schemes.
As acknowledged specialists, Equity Release Supermarket has given objective advice to increasing numbers of applicants seeking to remortgage from Papilio UK and we have guided them painlessly through the remortgage process.
The switch analysis will take into account the set up costs of the proposed new equity release mortgage. These costs can be lower than anticipated, especially as J P Morgan/Papilio equity release have indicated in the past that they will waive early repayment charges.
Allied to the current practice of many lenders offering free valuations and paying “cashbacks” of upto £1000, then equity release companies such as Aviva can offer a new safe haven for your mortgage. By providing a smooth transition in the equity release application process you can seamlessly transfer you Papilio (Northern Rock) equity release plan to a more competitive rate benefitting yourself & beneficiaries in the long run. Aviva are currently offering rates to Equity Release Supermarket customers starting at 5.57% annual.
If you want to join those who have successfully made the transition then please do contact Mike Vicary of Equity Release Supermarket, on 07795 195302 for a free initial consultation.
Tags: Aviva, drawdown lifetime mortgage, equity release, Equity release interest rates, equity release mortgage, equity release plan, equity release schemes, Equity Release Supermarket, interest only lifetime mortgage, lifetime mortgage, lifetime mortgage schemes, papilio contact, papilio equity release, papilio UK equity release, Papilio UK Equity Release Mortgages, roll-up lifetime mortgages
Posted in Equity Release, Remortgage Equity Release | No Comments »
Sunday, December 30th, 2012
This article looks at why a release of equity from your home may NOT be in your best interests, after all Equity Release Supermarket is an impartial website and we only want what is best for our customers. Whether that is to proceed, delay and consider the alternatives or to dismiss outright, we will always provide you with a decision that is in YOUR best interests.
Equity release schemes are becoming a popular solution for homeowners aged over 55 who want to raise cash without having to sell their property. Although the safeties of equity release schemes are now assured by regulation, the decision to take equity from your property may still not be in your best interests.
Start of the equity release planning process
While there are different types of equity release schemes such as Lifetime Mortgages, Home Reversion and Interest Only Lifetime Mortgages, essentially they all act as a vehicle to release some of the equity that is built into your property, and you only need to repay it only once the house is eventually sold.
This is all well and good, however you should never shoe horn an equity release plan to fit your personal needs. In fact the opposite should be the case. Any equity release plan should be designed to meet your own personal goals & circumstances. If they don’t, then look towards the alternatives.
The fact that you are considering releasing equity means you have a need for financial planning and require funds to meet your monetary objectives. There is nothing wrong with that. Throughout our adult lives, circumstances will dictate that some form of finance will be required, whether it’s a mortgage, loan, overdraft or the credit card. As long as the finance selected was the right product for the right reasons, then it should prove the correct decision to make.
This premise remains the same even throughout retirement. The needs of the baby boomer generation are now proving more expansive than previous retired generations. With long term health improving & the over 60’s having a more active lifestyle, retirees have a flavour of living a more care free life and fulfilling their ambitions and dreams. However, jumping to the conclusion that an equity release loan is the only answer, may prove to be a mistake.
When should equity release be a ‘NO’
For every reason why one should take a release of equity, there are as many reasons also why not to. Here we look at the reasons and alternatives why you should think twice about taking out an equity release mortgage, be it a home reversion or one of the many lifetime mortgages.
1. Age – equity release schemes are not available until the youngest homeowner is 55 years attained. There are instances whereby one person may 55+ and their partner is younger. Under these circumstances it is still possible to take a lifetime mortgage only, however this should really be only under exceptional circumstances such as poor health or the management of serious debt issues (maybe to avoid bankruptcy or house repossession). The age factor is an important principle behind one of the negative issues surrounding the equity release loan – compounding of the interest. Remember, the younger you are when releasing equity from your property, the more time the capital has to compound on a yearly basis.
The consequential effect of a longer term is that the final balance will be larger; resulting in more of the proceeds from the eventual sale of the property needing to be paid back to the lender. Bear in mind this will not be paid back by you, you won’t be around, unless the lifetime mortgage is being repaid due to moving into a residential care home! It will effectively be paid back by your children/beneficiaries.
NOTE -the resultant effect of a longer compounding interest charging period is that the final balance being much higher and a correspondingly much lower inheritance for your children/beneficiaries. If this is something that concerns you, request an equity release quote and see what the potential balance could be in the future. Making certain assumptions on future property values and your anticipated life expectancy would provide an estimate of how much equity could be left, if any at all. Should this be prohibitive, then a solution, if right for your circumstances would be to delay you decision for a few years until such a time the roll-up effect hasn’t as greater an effect.
2. Consider possible alternatives – equity release should really be considered a ‘last resort’ once all the alternative forms of finance have been eliminated. The reason for this statement is due to the long term cost of these schemes, whereas some of the alternatives, if affordable could be more reasonable and favourable for your children or beneficiaries. As part of the Equity Release Supermarket advice service all our advisers will consider whether any alternative forms of raising finance would be better for you. These could include the following: -
- Interest only or interest only lifetime mortgage – if you can comfortably afford to make repayments during retirement then look at such schemes. Interest only or interest only lifetime mortgages would be better for your children as there is NO compounding of interest. The balance would remain the same throughout the term as when the mortgage started. Therefore, the final balance will be known in advance and any inheritance can be ascertained using assumptions on future property prices. With the minimum equity release loan available being £10,000, alternative loan types maybe better. Could a personal loan or credit card be used to service the debt? Certainly options to consider that would also clear the debt, rather than it increasing like an equity release loan.
- Downsizing – dependent upon the size of your current property and its uses, then moving to a smaller property could be a solution. By downsizing to a lower valued property would raise money that could then fund your financial objectives. If nothing else, it could delay the decision to take equity release for many years. This is an important decision and not to be taken lightly. There are costs involved in moving house – stamp duty, legal fees etc and there will undoubtedly be improvements you wish to make to your new property which will also include additional costs. Moving to a new area will also mean new neighbours, facilities such as shops, doctors etc should always be considered as part of the downsizing process.
- Check for means tested benefits – Before taking any form of additional finance in retirement, it would be prudent to check whether you have any entitlement to means tested benefits. This could include state benefits such as pension credit, savings credit or even council tax benefit. Therefore, always check with the Pensions Office or your local council to establish whether you could claim further income for the state. This would only relate to lower income issues and should your income fall below the thresholds set by the authorities then you may have some entitlement. Having this extra income may solve or temporarily solve the need for equity release. If you are entitled to means tested benefits it would also be sensible to check whether any home improvement grants are available on your property. This could be even if you are planning home improvements or not. You may be eligible for loft insulation, cavity wall insulation or boiler replacement under some local authorities.
NOTE – if you still pursue a release of equity and you are drawing state benefits, the equity release lump sum could result in a partial or total reduction in means tested benefits. If you wish to check your eligibility for means tested benefits you can check with you local equity release adviser on 0800 678 5159.
- Use existing savings/family bequests – if you have savings or investments that are not used for income purposes then you
 should consider using these funds before taking equity from your property. Bear in mind that taking equity from your property and merely leaving it languishing in a bank account is not best advice. In today’s interest rate world you will not receive a better interest rate on a bank account than the interest being charged on an equity release scheme. Therefore, use any savings or liquid investments first, but bear in mind that an emergency fund of upto £10,000 is also prudent to have for that rainy day. This decision is always down to the individual as some clients feel more comfortable leaving greater sums on deposit, just in case. There is also no shame in asking family members for financial support, particularly when the decision to take equity release may not be to their approval due to the effect on their inheritance! Should a family member wish to fund your loan then this may be more cost effective for them, but this could boil down to whether they are happy tying up these monies longer term when they may have their own family needs in the near future.
Evidently, there are many factors and solutions that can affect the eventual decision as to whether equity release is right for you. For that reason it is imperative to speak to a financial adviser who is trained & qualified in equity release solutions.
To speak to your local equity release adviser click here or call Freephone 0800 678 5159 where independent advice is available.
Tags: council tax benefit, equity release, Equity release interest rates, equity release loan, equity release mortgage, equity release plan, equity release schemes, equity release solutions, Equity Release Supermarket, home reversion, interest only lifetime mortgage, interest only mortgage, lifetime mortgage, lifetime mortgages, means tested benefits, pension credit
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Monday, November 12th, 2012
Retirement mortgages are becoming a rare breed. Nevertheless, with good research provided by an experienced equity release adviser, there are still such products available for the over 55’s. Products such as the Stonehaven Interest Select Plan are a good alternative to the now withdrawn Halifax Retirement Home Plan mortgage. If you have a pre-existing mortgage when you reach retirement age, there are certainly some options that are still available for you to consider.
Firstly, it is important to consider the changes in your income when you reach retirement. If your income during retirement still allows you to sustain the pre existing mortgage then the mortgage can be continued for a period. This will however be determined by the term of your existing mortgage and the attitude of your mortgagee. We have recently seen that since the FSA report into interest only mortgages, that residential mortgage lenders have revised their terms and attitude towards this sector of the mortgage market.
The repayment vehicle is where the issue has fallen down. Many people have taken interest only mortgages and for one reason or another never taken out the repayment vehicle that was meant to have provided the funds to repay the mortgage with at the end of the term. This has left a time bomb waiting to go off due to the sheer numbers of people with interest only mortgages now hitting their retirement years.
Affordability going into retirement is the one aspect of retirement planning most people do not look ahead for. Their income will fall as full time employment will usually cease and pensions as we all know have not performed as the quotes originally showed when personal pensions were originally take out.
Therefore, upon attaining retirement age, if you are unable to afford the mortgage, it is necessary to take the correct steps to remedy the situation. Your existing lender should allow you to switch to another interest only mortgage provider, should one be suitable to meet your requirements. To be able to do this, the loan-to-value ratio will be key as to what options will be available upon remortgaging outstanding. Now that the Halifax Retirement Home Plan mortgage has been taken out of service, what options actually remain to switch to?
By considering switching to an interest only lifetime mortgage can allow you to make monthly interest payments; the balance remains the same, which is repaid once the property is sold. The question to ask yourself is whether you require the mortgage to run for the rest of your life or to tie in with future plans, such as downsizing, or you only want the mortgage to run for a fixed number of years. Remember, selling your property and moving to a smaller property and paying off the balance is an option worth considering. The answer to these questions will determine the correct retirement solutions for you.
Equity Release Supermarket currently has two interest only lifetime mortgage plans available. Therefore, if your current lender does not provide this option, and you wish to remortgage then find an equity release adviser who can provide details. We can advise on both the Stonehaven range of interest select plans, or the recently launched more2life Interest Choice plan on 1st November 2012.
However, always look at the options before pledging your future to an interest only lifetime mortgage product. You could be entitled to retirement benefits that can help you cope with the existing mortgage. For instance you could be entitled to council tax benefit or pension credit which could have an impact on your income & mortgage affordability. Certain organisations such as Shelter can provide mortgage interest advice and support to those who are eligible. It is worth exploring these options that can help with making payments.
There may be other residential mortgages that you can consider switching to. However, these companies such as Leeds Building Society may only provide a temporary reprieve due to the limited term permitted. Most lenders will usually want full & final repayment by a maximum age of 70-75.
It is therefore important to seek professional advice in order to make a well informed and well researched choice. Switching to an interest only lifetime mortgage such as the Stonehaven Interest Select Lite is one such option, wherein you make monthly interest payments for life and the balance on your mortgage remains the same. With Stonehaven interest rates now only starting from 5.99% monthly and thereafter fixed for the whole duration, for those that qualify this is an excellent & secure option available to people over age 55.
If you wish to cease making any payments towards the mortgage, maybe as you have no children or close relatives, then roll-up equity release schemes may also be a good option for you. A roll up equity release is where no monthly payments are required as instead the interest gets added to the balance. The equity release deals from some roll-up companies are excellent at the moment with the incentives to help with set up costs. For instance, the Aviva Flexible lifetime mortgage starts with rates as low as 5.57%, depending on personal requirements and this is coupled with free valuations and three cashback options.
However, if the thought of your inheritance disappearing before your eyes when you receive your annual roll-up lifetime mortgage statement arrives then its worth looking at companies like Stonehaven and more2life. You should know that interest rates are currently the lowest ever for Stonehaven in their six year history. From the number of interest only enquiries we now have, many people have also noticed and taken advantage of tying themselves into today’s lowest interest rates and fixing them & their futures up for the rest of their lives.
To discuss your equity release options at retirement call the equity Release Supermarket team on 0800 678 5159 today.
Tags: Aviva, equity release, Equity Release Adviser, Equity release interest rates, equity release schemes, Equity Release Supermarket, FSA, fsa report into interest only mortgages, Halifax Retirement Home Plan, interest only lifetime mortgage, lifetime mortgage, more2life, redeem mortgage, repayment vehicle, retirement mortgages, Stonehaven, Stonehaven equity release, Stonehaven interest select
Posted in Interest only Lifetime Mortgages, Retirement Mortgage, Stonehaven Equity Release | No Comments »
Monday, May 21st, 2012
With interest rates being so low, and investments so sluggish, many people who had retired on a nest egg are starting to struggle. The crisis seems far from over so it might be time to consider other options for “topping up” those savings and the income that they create with a home equity release scheme.
Most home equity release plans come in many forms but the most common one now is the lifetime mortgage. This style of equity release mortgage is only available to those over the age of 55, as they include special features exclusively designed for elderly and retired people. This more vulnerable age group now has the protection of the FSA (Financial Services Authority) & the trade body currently undergoing reformation which is SHIP (Safe Home Income Plans).
Changing attitudes & beliefs
These property equity release plans are designed to be secured on properties which have had most or the entire existing mortgage paid off. Equity release is essentially a re-mortgage, but with special consideration taken into what stage of life the homeowner is in. The statistics show that retirees are now living longer and have a renewed vigour & enthusiasm that has rekindled that sense of adventure from years gone by.
Why? The whole idea and acceptance that we are only here once; so ‘let’s make the most of it’ attitude.
Home equity release schemes are a great way of topping-up a retirement pension, as they can be arranged to either provide an additional amount of “income”, by slowly releasing the equity from a home in a controlled manner. Otherwise, they can provide a lump sum of cash which can go top-up an emergency fund, or to provide capital that can be used for a lifestyle purposes such as home improvements, a new car or holidays.
New lending approach from equity release companies
The benefits of today’s range of home equity release schemes are that they provide excellent value for money, given that equity release interest rates are the most competitive ever. Interest rates are now available from the likes of AVIVA starting from just 5.57% dependent upon age, property value & equity release scheme taken.
This new approach to equity release lending takes more account of how potentially profitable a plan is to them. We have already seen this to some degree with LV= who operate a tiered interest rate structure dependent upon age. Basically, the older the youngest applicant is, the higher the interest rate becomes. The principle behind this is, the younger one is, the longer their life expectancy should be. Consequently, the longer the equity release plan runs for the greater the final balance which results in a greater profit margin for the lender.
Makes business sense, or does this? Only time will tell, however from the initial feedback and rates being made available from the Aviva trial program indicates that considerable reductions in interest rates can be made, even with the offer of the free valuation and upto £1000 cashback!
What effect does this have on the children?
For those looking for the lowest interest rate on a home equity release mortgage a lower interest rate will save £1000’s over the long term. This will reduce the financial burdening of compound interest from day-to-day with the mortgage arranged so that the additional cost of interest charged is taken from the equity in the home. This means that the burden is shifted to the inheritance estate, or to when the home is sold when the policy holders are in care or downgrade their home. In each of these cases, it is likely that the market will be more buoyant and the home will have more value anyway as hopefully property values will have risen over the duration of the home equity loan period.
With savings taking such a beating due to low interest rates and pensions being punished so hard by this crisis, many retired people are struggling with their finances. Sometimes products like home equity release schemes can help and provide some extra comfort and peace of mind. They can top-up the incomes provided through annuities or drawdown pensions, and are usually available on terms which are more flexible and costs effective than those taken out in years gone by.
Equity release is an important decision. However, with the help & support of specialists in the field of lifetime mortgage and home reversions plans such as Equity Release Supermarket we can find the best equity release deal for you.
No matter your location in the UK or Northern Ireland we have equity release schemes covering these locations. So either pick up the phone & call 0800 678 5159 & speak to one of the equity release team or click here to find your local equity release adviser.
These are lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans. To understand their features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration.
Tags: Aviva, cashback, equity release, Equity Release Adviser, Equity release interest rates, equity release schemes, Equity Release Supermarket, free valuation, FSA, home equity loans, lifetime mortgage schemes, lifetime mortgages, lowest interest rates, Lv=, SHIP
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Friday, May 4th, 2012
There are many reasons why you should sit down & review your existing equity release mortgage. Like any financial undertaking, products do evolve and change, hopefully for the better over the years, & equity release schemes are no different.
Here we look at the reasons for reviewing an older equity release mortgage, understanding the benefits & how to go about ascertaining whether you can remortgage your existing equity release scheme, or possibly staying put with your current provider.
Reasons for considering an analysis of your existing equity release plan
Let’s first have a look at the factors for consideration in the transfer, switch or remortgage of your current plan: -
- Could it be because your existing scheme has now exhausted its maximum lending limits with your current equity release provider?
- Maybe you now require additional tax free cash due to change in circumstances or a financial emergency has arisen.
- Simply because you require a more competitive equity release deal than at present as you are concerned about the effect the roll-up & the compounding of interest that is affecting your equity release balance.
- Finally, there could be better equity release plans available in today’s marketplace that were not available many years ago and you wish to take advantage of this to save your children’s inheritance over the longer term.
What has changed since you took out your original plan?
Dependent upon when your original plan was taken out, many lenders are now offering better, more flexible and more secure plans. The main influence though will be the fact that interest rates have dropped so significantly. Having experience of advising on the older Norwich Union equity release plans, I have evidenced the fact that around 10 years ago their rates were in excess of 8%! How times have changed.
Not only that, but my team of equity release advisers have similar experience of the older schemes which is invaluable in the decision making process & analytics of whether to transfer your existing lifetime mortgage or not. Having worked for the likes of Norwich Union equity release, Prudential, NatWest, Key Retirement Solutions & Aviva, we have the experience & knowledge to conduct a full analysis of the equity release pros and cons relating to a potential remortgage situation
How low have equity release interest rates fallen?
The fact is, if you already have an equity release plan, now is as good a time as any to re-evaluate it and shop around. Although not as low as conventional mortgage rates, equity release interest rates have fallen recently, but mainly due to competition in the equity release market. With their aggressive stance presently Aviva have become the darlings of the lifetime mortgage market with their lowest interest rate of just 5.92%. But it doesn’t just stop there. With a free valuation thrown in & £500 cashback this represents the deal of the century!
When considering a remortgage, interest rate alone is not the factor that determines your decision. The costs involved in setting up the plan are essential & these should be minimised in order to make the transition ads costs effective as possible. Therefore, the current Aviva Flexi drawdown lifetime mortgage plan is possibly the one plan that would be a viable proposition to switch over to.
What other factors must be considered other than interest rate?
It is important to make sure that any new potential equity release scheme is flexible and can be modified whenever your circumstances change. Equity release schemes must meet immediate needs, but equally, it must also be able to adapt to the future. Many new equity release schemes are much more flexible than their previous counterparts. For instance, drawdown lifetime mortgage schemes are now the most popular form of equity release mortgage currently available. This is opposed to the mainly lump sum mortgages that were available in the past, which were inflexible, could only be reviewed every 5 years & you had to budget on this basis accordingly.
When reviewing clients existing equity release mortgages, I may find several better and more suitable products on the equity release market today. However, it is not simply a case of switching lenders. Many existing equity release schemes may have clauses that make it quite binding in the long term and may incur additional charges such as an early repayment charge. This factor could be the sole reason whether to switch equity release lenders or not and deter offsetting any savings made from switching to a new plan.
It is important to consider several factors while comparing the existing equity release plan to a new one. Current interest rates, the current value of the property and the amount that needs to be borrowed. A switchover can take up to 60 days, so it becomes important to take into account interest rates over 60 days, setting up costs and the current redemption figure to work out the amount that can actually be borrowed.
What action should I take now?…
To review your existing equity release mortgage, you will need to consult an independent equity release adviser who can provide impartial, unbiased and experienced advice on different options that are available. A careful and detailed comparison needs to be made, considering various costs that will be incurred during a switchover, including setting up costs, application fees, solicitors’ fees and advice fees.
From significantly lower interest rates, to more flexible terms, switching to a new plan may have several advantages for yourself…and your beneficiaries. As a company who is remortgaged many older equity release mortgages we can speak and practice from experience.
For a free equity release analysis of your existing lifetime mortgage, contact the Equity Release Supermarket team on 0800 678 5159 or complete the online contact form today.
Tags: Aviva, cashback, drawdown equity release, early repayment charges, equity release, Equity Release Adviser, Equity release interest rates, equity release remortgage, equity release schemes, Equity Release Supermarket, Financial adviser, free valuation, lifetime mortgage schemes, natwest equity release, Norwich Union equity release, Prudential, Prudential Equity Release
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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 Interest only Lifetime Mortgages, Latest News, Stonehaven Equity Release | 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.
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.
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.”
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
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.
Tags: Aviva, Aviva Equity Release Plan, Aviva flexi drawdown plan, Equity release interest rates, Equity Release Supermarket, gilts rates, Just Retirement, new Aviva rate
Posted in Equity Release, Interest Rate News, Latest News | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 19th, 2011
The ever increasing price rises are a concern for everyone. Inflation today has been quoted at 5.4% & therefore pressure is being exerted on mortgage & equity release interest rates. People who have retired and have a limited pension are in a worse situation than in the past. Their pension does not allow them to fulfil even their basic needs, let alone luxuries. In this hard and fast world, pensioners often feel secluded and uncared for.
However, all is not doom & gloom for those with properties & equity tied up within them. Mortgages haven’t tended to be the focus for the retired. Their credit history tends to err on caution rather than frivolous in nature. Yet credit trends are changing with the acceptance of new credit lines & leniency towards the children’s inheritance. So more emphasis is being placed on the release of equity from lifetime mortgage schemes.
If you have not heard about equity release, then we will help you to understand all about it. Equity release schemes allow you to generate extra money over and above your pension. If you are one whose money is in limited supply, equity release schemes could be the answer for you. If you own property, you can apply for any type of equity release scheme. Your property enables you to release tax free cash which can be taken in stage payments or as a one off lump sum. This additional cash helps you to live your life properly and with all the luxuries you have become used to. More common reasons for equity release UK plans are home improvements, new car, holidays, gifting to the children or to help with the purchase of a new property.
There are many plans you can apply for, but drawdown equity release schemes are now the most popular. These roll-up equity release schemes offer an overall cash facility from which you can take money from as & when required. By opting for this formula you will only pay interest on cash actually taken & not the funds still held by the equity release company in their reserves.
Increasing popular are the interest only lifetime mortgage plans provided by companies such as Stonehaven equity release. Helped by the previous popularity of the Halifax Retirement Home Plan, interest only lifetime mortgages have increased awareness of interest paying mortgages in retirement.
Equity release has been in existence for a long time now, but still not everyone knows about it. The equity release trade body SHIP (Safe Home Income Plans) has led a sole crusade in raising awareness by pushing for consumer protection. Thanks to SHIP, today’s equity release schemes can be trusted & applied for without concern.
If you need advice on whether equity release or interest only lifetime mortgages are for you then please contact Equity Release Supermarket on 0800 678 5159 or visit the EquityReleaseSupermarket website.
Tags: equity release, Equity release interest rates, equity release schemes, Equity Release Supermarket, Halifax Retirement Home Plan, mortgages in retirement, release of equity
Posted in Equity Release, Halifax Retirement Home Plan | No Comments »
Monday, January 4th, 2010
With immediate effect Just Retirement has reduced their equity release interest rates from 6.79% to 6.59%.
This news arrives in conjunction with the departure of Prudential from the equity release market at the end of 2009 & is a bold move readdressing the negative moves on interest rates at the back end of last year. The interest rate reduction applies across all age ranges & as a consequence Just Retirement now becomes one of the lowest drawdown equity release schemes in the market.
In addition to this rate reduction, Equity Release Supermarket can also obtain a generous £450 cashback for the client on completion of the plan. This certainly assists in reducing the overall set up costs of the plan.
For further information or quotation on the Just Retirement Roll-Up Lifetime Mortgage, please contact Mark Gregory on 0800 678 5159 or email mark@equityreleasesupermarket.co.uk.
Tags: cashback, drawdown equity release schemes, Equity release interest rates, Equity Release Supermarket, Just Retirement, Prudential, Roll-up lifetime mortgage plan
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Friday, December 11th, 2009
At a time when the equity release market is downsizing with the withdrawal of many lenders, alternative funding sources need to be recognised to help widen the options available. It is in the generic mortgage market that some unique & flexible mortgage products can be sourced that offer an alternative to the traditional roll-up lifetime mortgage; it is one of these that I write about.
Upon gathering client details & ascertaining a generous disposable income, sometimes it can be evidenced that monthly payments can be afforded into retirement. However, there is a common misconception that someone in retirement cannot have a mortgage.
This is incorrect.
Providing income multiples can justify the borrowing requirements, then research can be sought that would provide recommendations of suitable mortgage products. However, providers that can lend into retirement have varying criteria with regards to age & the term permitted & here advice & a knowledge of the market comes into the domain of an experienced independent financial adviser.
The options available would be dependent on budget, but also on attitudes as to how much inheritance is to be left at the end of the day. Should it be imperitive that the maximum inheritance remain, then a capital & repayment mortgage should be advised. Conversely, if this is not a major issue then an interest only mortgage can be recommended which will maintain the balance at the same level throughout the term of the mortgage.
Some of the major lenders such as Abbey & Alliance & Leicester do have a maximum age of 75, by which time the mortgage must be repaid. A few will lend to age 85 such as Leeds Building Society which does give more time for the mortgage to run, however, this may only be suitable for capital & repayment mortgages, not interest only mortgages.
Therefore, should you be looking for equity release in retirement, have surplus monthly disposable income, wish to ensure an inheritance for your beneficiaries & want the mortgage on an open-ended basis then look no further than the Halifax. It may come as a surprise that such a product may be available with a mainstream lender, however it has become more evident how this product can fulfill in-retirement needs.
The Halifax Retirement Home Plan can release cash over a maximum 40 year term, which for someone already near to, or actually in retirement, should be sufficient! They will only permit this product upto 75% of the property value, however this is not usually not an issue due to the amount of equity in retirees properties. Finally, dependent on whether a mortgage currently exists, we can also obtain for you a free valuation & free legal fees.
They will also allow the product to use the mainstream Halifax interest rates such as their 2 year base rate tracker at 2.79%, which for a £50,000 interest only mortgage would equate to a payment of only £116 per month. Obviously, consideration must be given to future potential changes that may affect the mortgage, such as the death a mortgagor which would reduce the household income & in turn affordability of the mortgage. However, this can be catered for with a life insurance policy which would repay the mortgage should either party die.
Alternatively, it should be borne in mind that if the level of borrowing is kept to within current equity release lending limits, then if one party did die, the surviving party could repay the mortgage with an equity release plan. This would resolve any affordability issues, as no monthly payments would be required thereafter.
Having completed several of these products recently, I can vouch for the speed of transacting this deal – 4 weeks, which compared to an equity release application is quicker too. Therefore, rather than just assuming equity release is the only solution, ensure you receive advice from an independent financial adviser – which Equity Release Supermarket can provide.
For further information & eligibility for the Halifax Retirement Home Plan please contact Mark Gregory on 0800 678 5159 or alternatively email mark@equityreleasesupermarket.co.uk
Tags: Abbey, Alliance & Leicester, equity release, equity release application, Equity release interest rates, equity release schemes, Equity Release Supermarket, halifax equity release, Halifax Retirement Home Plan, Halifax Retirement mortgage, independent financial adviser, interest only mortgage, retirement mortgage, roll up, roll up interest, Roll up lifetime mortgage
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