Posts Tagged ‘home reversion’
Saturday, April 7th, 2012
Home reversion schemes have literally had their nose pushed out of the equity release market upon entering the year 2012. There has been a significant rise in the popularity of lifetime mortgage plans; including drawdown equity release schemes, enhanced equity release schemes & interest only lifetime mortgages.
Figures produced by SHIP (Safe Home Income Plans) show that home reversion plans now only account for 2% of the whole equity release sales. Drawdown lifetime mortgages popularity has captured 62% of applications & conventional lump sum equity release sales amount to 36%.
It is clearly evident to see the sincere lack of home reversion applications. Here we look at the mis- conceptions surrounding home reversion schemes & why they must still be considered in the overall equity release scheme of things!
First let’s look at the home reversion plan basics.
The home reversion scheme requires the property owner to sell part or all of their property in return for a tax free lump sum. The lump sum offered by the reversion company will always be at a discount to the percentage sold. The reason for this is that the applicants can remain living in the property for the rest of their lives, rent free. Significantly, it could be some time before the home reversion lender receives their money.
No interest element is attached to home reversion schemes. Unlike lifetime mortgages, home reversion offers guarantees as to the percentage of the property that will pass to the beneficiaries at the end of the day. This stems from the initial decision made as to how much of the property’s title is transferred to the lender. For example, if 55% of the property is sold in exchange for a lump sum, then this will still guarantee 45% of the eventual sale proceeds will pass to the beneficiaries. This is a major advantage of home reversion schemes over lifetime mortgages & provides peace of mind.
So why the lethargy surrounding home reversion plans?
Perhaps one of the major stigmas attached is the fact that you will not own your property 100%. The reversion provider will co-own the property with you, thus having a greater say in its maintenance & future planning of the home. They will have the right to inspect the house at regular intervals to ensure it is maintained adequately, thus protecting their security. Any major home improvements will also need their permissions in case you were thinking of extensions or knocking down walls!
Another consideration would be upon moving home or wanting to sell. At this point an equity release calculation would need to be undertaken to establish how much equity you own based on current value upon transfer across to the new abode. Therefore independent valuations would need to be conducted to ascertain current market value. This could prove difficult in today’s market with a lack of sales & depressed housing market.
The one danger of home reversion plans is upon early death. Home reversion would prove expensive should you die or move into care in the earlier years of inception. Effectively, you have given up a large portion of your home based on average life expectancy. If you fail to reach this date, then home reversion could prove a poor decision. On the flip side, if longevity is in your family genes, then home reversion could be a great decision. Oh the virtues of a crystal ball!
Nevertheless, this aspect of the housing doldrums could actually have a positive accent as to why a home reversion plan could be more advantageous than a lifetime mortgage scheme. By taking out a home reversion scheme in anticipation that property values will remain static could prove beneficial. Afterall you are guaranteed that at the end of the day some equity will remain as you have a percentage of the property value guaranteed.
Compare this to lifetime mortgage schemes where the roll-up of interest compounds yearly & will continue escalating until the plan expires. In this situation, should property values remain static, then with a continuously rising mortgage balance & static house prices, will lead to the eventual erosion of the equity. This could be so much so, that NO equity remains at the end of the day with a lifetime mortgage.
So why should you consider a home reversion scheme?
As you can see the home reversion plan offers a sense of assurance which is not possible with many other equity release schemes. With the progress in medical science, the human body is capable of living much longer. Age therefore plays a major role in this equity release plan with a minimum starting age of 65. Indeed, the older one gets before taking out a home reversion scheme the better the terms that will be offered by the lender. The resultant effect of this is the older the homeowner, the more is paid as a capital lump sum.
Some of the negative issues surrounding home reversion schemes have been addressed by the providers – Bridgewater, New Life Mortgages & Hodge Lifetime. Particularly Bridgewater have considered many of these issues & allayed such fears by building in a series of plan options. Similar to drawdown lifetime mortgages, Bridgewater offer a flexible equity release plan which allows you to sell less than 100% of the home & still provide the guarantee of future withdrawals in the future.
Another home reversion plan flexible feature could be a ‘secured escalating release’ option which allows you to release a lump sum of cash now, together with a future income over a number of years. This is achieved with the use of annuities.
Finally, some home reversion plans could also offer protection on early death, so always make the necessary enquiries before entering into a long term financial commitment.
Home reversion redemption
The home reversion company will eventually receive their money by selling the property when the occupier has died or moved into long term care. Additionally, this type of home equity scheme offers the property owner the ability to change properties. This is a requirement of SHIP (Safe Home Income Plan).
Always take the assistance of an independent financial advisor so that they can help estimate the value of your property and help you decide on the scheme best suited to your requirements. Equity release is very beneficial for retired individuals who do not have a steady flow of income or require a capital lump sum for lifestyle improvements. One of the products that could succeed with these bequests could be the home reversion scheme as it offers stability, guarantees for your children and allows you to enjoy a worry free, rent free retirement.
For home reversion advice contact the specialists at Equity Release Supermarket on 0800 678 5159 or email mark@equityreleasesupermarket.co.uk
Tags: Bridgewater, drawdown equity release, equity release, Equity Release Adviser, equity release schemes, Equity Release Supermarket, Hodge Lifetime, home reversion, home reversion plans, home reversion schemes, lifetime mortgages, New Life Mortgages, SHIP
Posted in Home Reversion | No Comments »
Monday, March 12th, 2012
Equity release schemes and equity release remortgage deals allow you to extract the equity tied up within the bricks & mortar of your home. The tax free cash is withdrawn usually by a lump sum or in the form of monthly income. This is a type of loan is for property owners over the age of 55 and is one of the best ways for such people & property owners to borrow money. Equity release plans typically do not need to be paid back until the sale of the home, or the borrower has died or gone into long term care.
Why have equity release schemes become so popular?
Homeowners opt for equity release plans for many reasons & their uses have extended beyond their original concept. Gone is the original ideology that equity release schemes would pay for pensioners essential living demands. Instead the flexibility & uses of equity release schemes have diversified into areas such as inheritance tax planning, moving home & many more besides.
They may have grandchildren entering university, and education tuition fees to pay; they may want to travel the world to meet distant relatives or loved ones; purchase a new car that maybe more economically friendly & cost saving; they may have a child that is soon to wed & needs a deposit for that first step on the property ladder; or they may want to consolidate their debts such as mortgage, loan & credit cards in order to free up & release some disposable income. These are all wonderful & purposeful reasons to choose an equity release mortgage. At the end of the day you just want to retire and relax throughout the longest holiday of your life.
How to Compare Equity Release Deals
There are various providers and independent specialists and a variety of equity release remortgage deals available on the market. In the tough economic times, there are few property owners that would not benefit from an equity release deal; however many homeowners are unaware that they have a solution to their problems with an equity release loan. It is important for the retirees to understand how these UK equity release plans work and how to shop around and compare all lifetime mortgages & home reversion schemes to find the best deal available on the market.
The most convenient means to compare equity release deals is on the World Wide Web or more commonly termed – the Internet. There are many equity release providers and schemes that operate home equity loans. These include schemes such as roll-up lifetime mortgages that allow you to extract an initial lump sum with the interest being charged, & compounded onto the previous year’s balance. The flexible & now more popular scheme is the drawdown lifetime mortgage that allows you to take a smaller initial lump sum that is agreed upon at commencement of the loan and then further amounts as you wish. There are advantages and disadvantages to each.
When you compare equity release, you should work with a company that offers advice and guidance and one that has the contacts in the industry to present you with the best deals available on the market. Equity Release Supermarket has a comparison table that identifies the best interest rates, cashback deals & free valuations for you. Click here to visit the compare deals table.
All Equity Release Supermarket financial advisers are independent & FSA trained and accredited and it is essential that the deal that you opt for meets the FSA standards and SHIP regulations. This will ensure that you have a deal that is safe and fair.
Why Now Might Prove to Be a Good Time to Take Out an Equity Release Policy
A combination of the current crop of exclusives has provided a cheaper route to market for many new equity release applications. However, this is not the only reason for the equity release industry being more confident these days.
A recent spate of rate reductions for the 3 major equity release companies has resulted in some of the lowest interest rates for the past 5 years. Aviva’s recent reduction on its Lifetime Flexible drawdown plan has scuppered plans for Just Retirement to be the market leader. In fact Just Retirement has now thrown in the towel in its quest to become the cheapest lifetime drawdown scheme currently available & is now targeting other areas for domination.
The current exclusive Aviva equity release offered by Equity Release Supermarket is as follows: -
Product - Aviva Lifestyle Flexi Plan
Interest rate - 5.92% fixed for life
Offers - Free Valuation PLUS £500 cashback on completion
If you wish to take advantage of this Aviva deal then request a quote or contact the Equity Release Supermarket team on 0800 678 5159 where one of our advisers will be happy to assist.
Tags: Aviva, Aviva Lifestyle Flexi, cashback, drawdown equity release, equity release, equity release schemes, Equity Release Supermarket, free valuation, FSA, home reversion, Just Retirement, Roll up lifetime mortgage, SHIP
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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 »
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011
The amount of equity you own is the term used to describe the value of a home less any mortgage or secured pending on it. Equity release allows you to free up this money tied up within your home.
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The equity release process will allow you to receive a tax free, lump sum of capital allowing you to spend it in whatever way that you choose.
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An obvious disadvantage is that you will not be able to hand down all of your property to your offspring. Nevertheless, you do get to live out the remainder of your life in your home, rent free or till you move into elderly care.
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If you are considering an equity release scheme, the best way to get started would be to approach an expert. Some organisations which provide equity release schemes also provide a free consultation, so remember to take advantage of their services. Some research of the advisor would be of benefit as they must be regulated by the FSA (Financial Services Authority) & have an individual registration number with them. The equity release adviser should therefore be found on the FSA website register.
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Ensure they are independent, which means they are free to deal with ANY equity release provider in the market. So ask. Some companies purport to be whole of market, however upon closer analysis they only deal with a handful of companies. You may therefore be missing out on a beneficial feature of an equity release scheme that they do not have available. This could save you £1000′s in the long run & could prove costly if the wrong equity release plan was chosen.
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Your advisor will let you in on all the vital details regarding the procedure. This will be after the equity release adviser has collated all the necessary facts regarding one’s current situation. Guarded with this information, & any soft facts provided such as ‘how important is that you leave part or all of your property to your beneficiaries?’ will be asked. Also income & whether you are in receipt of means tested benefits is important as this will reflect on which equity release schemes are advised upon. The equity release consultant can then document & record this stage of the lifetime mortgage process.
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Once an accurate financial picture has been ascertained & observed the clients objectives, the equity release adviser can then discuss the mortgage options available. These would include an explanation of the various schemes available to suit. Included in this would be roll-up equity release schemes, home reversion plans & interest only lifetime mortgages such as the Halifax Retirement Home Plan or the Stonehaven Interest Select.
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You do not have to give them an instant decision; after all, going for an equity release scheme is a big decision and something which should not be rushed into.
Upon presentation of the equity release advisers recommendations a Key Facts Illustration must be offered to you. This would include a summary of the scheme in principle, costs & charges, future balance & the commission payable by the lifetime mortgage providers. This is quite a comprehensive overview of the scheme & covers the finer details, as well as the main features, such as the no negative equity guarantee & early repayment charges etc.
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Once you have made your decision, all you have to do is simply call your advisor and give them the go ahead. They will have all your paperwork taken care of, contact your solicitor and keep you updated about everything, right to the time that you get your money released.
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A professional & courteous adviser will confirm the funds have been released & offer any after care service in the future; for example when additional funds are required such as on a drawdown equity release scheme.
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As a company Equity Release Supermarket keep contact with its clients to advise on new products & interest rates in the future as it is important to keep abreast of the market as & when more competitive products become available.
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Independent & award winning equity release specialist Equity Release Supermarket offer all the above benefits & quality of service that the testimonials at the bottom of the home page illustrate.
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To discuss your options in the release of equity from your property call freephone 0800 678 5159 today or alternatively complete our contact form & one of our advisers will be in touch
Tags: drawdown equity release, equity release, Equity Release Adviser, equity release schemes, equity release solicitor, home reversion, independent, Independent equity release advice, interest only mortgage, lifetime mortgages, No negative equity guarantee
Posted in Advice, Equity Release, Halifax Retirement Home Plan | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 14th, 2011
Retired homeowners can now safely make plans for their future with the help of an equity release scheme.
There are a number of equity release schemes available today in the market. Some of these are:
- Interest only mortgages
- Lifetime mortgages
- Home income plans
- Home reversion
Amongst these schemes, the interest only mortgage is very popular. It can either have a fixed or tracker rate of interest which is to be paid at the end of every month. Interest only mortgage schemes have gained popularity in recent times.
This scheme is highly suited to people who are retired and it can help them in their old age. Those retirees who are opposed to the roll-up effect of conventional equity release schemes, can find solice in these interest only lifetime mortgage schemes. The reason being is that the balance will always remain the same & never increase, thus protecting any beneficiaries inheritance.
The interest only mortgage scheme is considered as the safest option by many people. It promises a fixed capital lump sum to spend on anything they wish in retirement.
In other plans such as home reversion, one sells all or part of the property & can thereafter live rent free in the home for the rest of their lives. These schemes do not start until age 65 & now only account for 3% of all equity release plans taken out.
It should be noted that none of the interest only schemes put the retired person at a risk to lose their right to live in their property. However, monthly payments must be maintained in order to not default on their mortgage. Obviously, these interest only mortgages always come with the health warning – Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Should you have any questions on lifetime mortgages, home reversion schemes & interest only mortgages please contact the Equity Release Supermarket advisory team on 0800 678 5159 or alternatively email mark@equityreleasesupermarket.co.uk
Tags: equity release, equity release schemes, Equity Release Supermarket, Halifax Retirement Home Plan, home reversion, home reversion plans, home reversion schemes, interest only mortgage, lifetime mortgage schemes, lifetime mortgages
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Tuesday, April 19th, 2011
Upon researching whether equity release is a suitable option, you may be finding most of the information available in the press or on the internet focuses on the main types of plans available which are Roll-Up Lifetime Mortgages.
There is in fact another type of plan which is less commonly understood and these are called Home Reversion plans.
I think it’s important to consider these plans in more depth. Increasingly home reversions are become more appropriate for those considering taking an equity release plan, particularly if those looking for a simple plan giving a high degree of certainty.
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A home reversion plan involves transferring ownership of all or part of your property to the provider in exchange for a tax free cash lump sum (or you can choose regular payments). Your property is independently valued and from this the provider will work out how much they will pay you for the percentage of the property being sold.
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The amount you’re paid wont be as much as the market value of the property. This is simply because you will be living there rent free for the rest of your life (or until moving out permanently into long term care). As a “rule of thumb” the older you are the more the home reversion provider will pay you for the share sold, that’s because your life expectancy is less. You are still responsible for paying all your bills, insurance and maintaining the property. At the end of the plan the property is sold and if you’ve retained part of it, your share of the proceeds will be paid to your estate.
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When considering a home reversion company, it’s important to choose a provider who is a member of the trade body Safe Home Income Plans. SHIP members offer a guarantee to their customers, the main benefits of this are that you’re allowed to remain in your property for life (provided the property remains your main residence) and you have the right to move plan to another suitable property without any financial penalty. Plus of course you have the safeguard of independent legal advice.
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Home reversions are also regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) which oversees how providers and advisers must deal with you. And finally, because home reversions involve the sale of property a third level of extra consumer protection is given by UK property law, which governs the relationship with the provider and their obligations towards you.
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So what type of people are home reversion schemes most suitable for?
Well it really boils down to your thoughts and concerns. As a guide a reversion might be more appropriate for someone who falls into some or all of the following categories:
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- Customers who want to specifically avoid debt – a home reversion plan is not a mortgage & cannot therefore be repossessed
- Those concerned house prices won’t keep going up – the risk of falling house prices is passed to the provider
- People in good heath and confident that they may live for many more years to come (for example there may be a history of longevity in the family) – generally the longer you live the better value a reversion becomes
- Anyone wanting to the peace of mind of knowing that if they need to in the future, they can access the maximum cash from their remaining equity – some providers will guarantee to always release further funds until 100% of the property is sold
- Clients wanting to guarantee an inheritance for their estate – for example if only 25% of the property is sold, the estate will inherit 75% of its value after costs
- Those wanting to release more cash from their property than they can by using a lifetime mortgage
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Naturally home reversion plans are not for everyone. Generally you will only be eligible to take a reversion plan if you are 65 or older. Ideally, to get the better rates you would need to be over age 70.
As reversions are a long term commitment they should not be considered if you intend to repay the money released at some stage in the future (for example if you’re expecting an inheritance).
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If you are in poor health or expect to have below average life expectancy then you may not get full value from a reversion either. However, we do have access to products now that do offer an impaired life (poor health) facility & therefore can provide an extra lump sum for this reason.
For those unfamiliar with how a reversion works there is understandably a little concern about giving up all or part ownership of your property.
The reality is that the terms and conditions of a reversion (ie the “small print”) are similar to that of equity release and your right to privacy and freedom to live in your own home are not affected.
Usually with a home reversion you are granted a lease for life to live in the property for as long as you wish to. And this important legal arrangement is recorded by HM Land Registry much the same as a leasehold flat or house is. So although you may have sold all or part of the property to the provider it still very much remains your home.
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The decision to release equity from your home using a home reversion plan or a lifetime mortgage is an important one and you will need specialist advice from a Financial Adviser in order to do so. They can talk to you about whether equity release is right for you and if it is what sort of product best suits your particular needs.
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To obtain further information on Home Reversion schemes, please contact an Equity Release Supermarket adviser on 0800 783 9652 or email mark@equityreleasesupermarket.co.uk
Tags: equity release, Equity Release Adviser, FSA, home reversion, home reversion plans, home reversion schemes, impaired life, inheritance protection, lifetime lease, lifetime mortgages, lifetime tenancy, SHIP
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Friday, March 4th, 2011
Equity release is a type of mortgage which is secured on your property and helps you to access money attached to it. The value of your property minus any secured loans placed upon it is termed as equity. You are able to withdraw this amount to assist you financially in later years.
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What is equity release all about?
A clichéd reason given for releasing equity is mainly ‘debt consolidation’. During 2011, debt consolidation is proving to be the most popular reason for releasing equity from one’s property.
Debt consolidation involves settling mortgages, loans, credit cards & any other unsecured finance which the individual is finding difficult to maintain. Once these debts are repaid, your monthly expenditure is reduced thus giving you extra income to enjoy. Other reasons for releasing equity could be to buy a new car, holidays or generally making your lifestyle more satisfactory during retirement.
The equity release plans do not have a fixed term therefore they run for the rest of your own or your partner’s life. If there is any money left, it is passed onto your nominees as suggested in your will. This scheme is only meant for people who have retired and are over 55 years of age.
There are two types of equity release scheme. The lifetime mortgage scheme is recommended for people who are retired. A loan is given to the borrowers on their house. Interest is then added annually to the loan, which is then repaid by selling the property when the borrower dies or when they move out into long term care.
The second option is a home reversion scheme & refers to selling the whole or part of your property to the reversion provider. This means that it the property itself is actually shared or even fully belongs to someone else. The borrowers can continue to live in their house for as long as they wish & not have to worry about any rental payments.
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To ascertain which equity release scheme is suitable for yourself, contact the Equity Release Supermarket team on 0800 783 9652 or visit our market leading website at EquityReleaseSupermarket.co.uk
Tags: equity release, equity release schemes, home reversion, home reversion schemes
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Thursday, December 23rd, 2010
Equity release schemes allow aged homeowners to get some amount of cash against the value of their property. If you are facing financial problems and your pension is not enough then equity release is a perfect solution for you. By opting for equity release, you can convert the value of your property into cash.
The amount which you can get for your property will be based on your age, the current market value of your home minus outstanding debts.
To qualify for equity release schemes, you have to fulfill certain requirements such as:
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• The youngest homeowner should be over 55
• The value of the property must be £60,000 or more
• You should have no or very little in the way of outstanding loans on the property
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If you have decided to go for equity release then you must consider the types such as home reversion plans and lifetime mortgages. Under both schemes, you can release some amount of money and continue living in the property for the rest of your life.
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Additional benefits of home equity release schemes
Once you have applied for equity release then you can either get a lump sum of money or regular income. The best thing about this money is that it is tax-free. There are many people who buy a second home, a car, repay outstanding debts or go on holiday. Improve your retirement and live frugally with equity release schemes.
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Ring 0800 678 5159 today to receive your free initial consultation from an equity release expert.
Tags: equity release, equity release expert, equity release schemes, financial difficulties, home reversion
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Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010
Home reversion equity release schemes allow you to sell a part of or your entire property to a lender. In return, the home reversion company will provide you with a monthly or lump sum cash amount or a combination of both.
Although the interest is not paid on the loan you take, the home reversion company will take a percentage of the value of your property when it is eventually sold. This percentage will often depend on numerous factors including – your age, the cost of your property and its condition.
The older you are, the more money you will be able to receive. Additionally, should you have a history of poor health then certain home reversion providers can potentially offer you a greater lump sum, or alternatively a lower percentage sale of your property.
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How do home reversion equity release schemes work?
With home reversion equity release schemes, you sell part of or the entire property to the lender and become a tenant with a lifetime tenacy guarantee. You will still be responsible for your property, its maintenance and bills. Although you become a tenant, you get the rights to reside in your property with your partner under a lifetime lease. Unlike normal residential tenants, there is no rent to pay for the rest of your life.
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The difference between lifetime mortgages and home reversion
Under a lifetime mortgage scheme you retain the complete ownership of your property. On the other hand, with a home reversion scheme you can sell anything up to 100% of your property to the home reversion company.
A major benefit of home reversion schemes is that you can guarantee the percentage of the final sale value of the property at the end of the day. A lifetime mortgage has no guarantee as there is no knowledge of how long the plan will roll-up for, which at the end of the day could result in NO inheritance for the children.
There are also some interest only lifetime mortgage schemes such as the Halifax Retirement Home Plan that enable you to repay the interest but not the capital to the building society or bank. This greatly helps you to calculate how much inheritance will be left as long as the monthly payments are an affordable option.
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If you wish to discuss whether a lifetime mortgage or home reversion scheme is right for you contact the Equity Release Supermarket team on 0800 678 5159.
Tags: Halifax Retirement Home Plan, home reversion, home reversion schemes, lifetime mortgages, poor health equity release
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Monday, December 20th, 2010
Should you have already purchased your annuity from your pension scheme, then unless it is indexed linked by inflation you may now be feeling that has lost some of its purchasing power over the years. With inflationary fears currently still persisting, even with the recent downturn in the UK economy, then people are looking at extra ways to enhance their retirement income & lifestyle.
Obviously, once a pension has been purchased then it is fixed for life, so alternative sources of boosting one’s retirement income need to be sourced.
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So how can equity release assist?
Equity release allows you to enjoy the monetary benefits of your assets without having to sell them. This is one of the ways to use the equity locked in your property. Equity release schemes are available only for retired individuals over the age of 55.
There are two types of equity release schemes: Lifetime mortgages and home reversion schemes. Consider the benefits of these two and choose one that suits your requirements. It is prudent to opt for independent financial advice when dealing with equity release schemes.
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Lifetime mortgage schemes: These schemes are designed for property owners. They help in gaining money by mortgaging the property. A major benefit of opting for this scheme is that you still remain the sole owner of your property. Individuals over 55 years of age are eligible for lifetime mortgage schemes.
One type of lifetime mortgage scheme called drawdown equity release could be a solution here. The lender will calculate an overall maximum that can be released & from this the applicant can withdraw this reserve facility in small amounts at times to suit one’s requirements. This could be monthly, half yearly or even annually, but the choice is yours. Therefore, by opting for a drawdown scheme could boost your retirement finances with flexibility.
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Reversion schemes: Contrary to lifetime mortgage schemes, home reversion schemes require you to sell a part or all of your property to enjoy monetary benefits. A lump sum from one of these schemes can be used to purchase an annuity which could therefore supplement any existing pension scheme.
Dependent on the lump sum raised, age & health & options built into the annuity would determine the regular income to be paid by the annuity provider. Always shop around or seek the advice of an independent financial adviser to ensure the maximum possible income is achieved.
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Eligibility
You should be the sole owner of your property prior to mortgaging it. The aforementioned schemes have different age requirements. While lifetime mortgage schemes require an individual to be 55 years of age, home reversion schemes need the individual to be 65 years of age to qualify. Your property will be surveyed and you can qualify for these schemes only if it is worth £60,000 or more.
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Equity Release Supermarket have independent financial advisers that can provide advice on both equity release & how to maximise your retirement income with annuities & pensions.
Contact us on freephone 0800 678 5159 if you wish to discuss whether any of these products can help your retirement financially.
e: mark@equityreleasesupermarket.co.uk
w: http://www.equityreleasesupermarket.co.uk
Tags: drawdown, equity release, equity release schemes, home reversion, home reversion schemes, lifetime mortgage schemes, lifetime mortgages, pension annuity, purchased life annuity
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