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Posts Tagged ‘Prudential Lifetime Mortgage’

Has Your Prudential Equity Release Application Expired?

Monday, April 12th, 2010

Prudential equity release schemes were withdrawn on 31st December 2009, however the application period was extended in order for pipeline cases to reach satisfactory completion.

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However, this period was only extended until 31st March 2010 & Prudential invoked strict guidelines as to their final outcome.

Initially it seemed the 3 month extension seemed quite generous as most equity release cases should normally complete within a 6-8 week period.………………………………………………….


However, in certain circumstances delays may be incurred which may not have been apparent from the outset. It is becoming inceasing apparent that clients are now experiencing scenarios resulting in this deadline being missed.

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One example such example is aligned to the fact that a previous charge may have been placed on the property; often many years ago.

As an equity release company will not permit any other charge being present on the property, then this previous charge must be removed.

The solicitor must therefore include this procedure in the legal process & thus could result in considerable delays in finding who originally put on the charge.

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Over the past decade, many financial institutions have changed name, been taken over or even ceased trading. It can therefore prove difficult for the solicitor to trace the original source of the charge & then getting this removed in order for the equity release to complete.

Nevertheless, a solicitor of experience in these matters would seek to obtain proof from the subject lender to prove the charge still exists. If they are unable to do this then the lender must remove the charge from the land charges register & subsequently the equity release can proceed to completion.

However, from experience this period of dialogue between lender & solicitor can take time, cost & has resulted in the Prudential application being cancelled.

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Obviously, this Prudential deadline has now passed & it is become evident that clients have now become stranded & out of pocket given if their application had not completed by 31st March 2010.

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All is not lost.

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Equity Release Supermarket are increasingly assisting customers left stranded & financially out of pocket by the Prudential. Client fees that have been paid already could include valuation fee & solicitor’s fees for work incurred upto the cancellation of the Prudential application.

We are able to take over from where the Prudential left off & with liaison with the solicitor concerned, can take over the case, find an alternative lender & endeavour to complete quickly with the existing information.

In many cases we are able to provide reduced fees in setting up the new application.

This is due to Equity Release Supermarkets ability to obtain free valuations, reduced interest rates & cashback deals that will go considerable distance in alleviating some costs already incurred.

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If you have experience of the Prudential cancelling your equity release application & would like to explore your options with transferring to a new lender, please contact Mark Gregory on

t: 0800 783 9652 or

e: mark@equityreleasesupermarket.co.uk

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3 Reasons Why You Can Still Benefit From A Last Minute Prudential Equity Release Application

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

As you may be aware Prudential have announced their imminent withdrawal from the equity release market…& time is fast running out.

With this in mind we briefly look at their unique scheme features & what effect this loss will have on the equity release market as a whole.

 

Prudential have two equity release schemes; lump sum & increasing cash reserve plan. Within these plans the features are found: -

  1. An increasing cash reserve facility which provides a reserve that increases yearly by 1% of the original property value, upto age 84.
  2. An equity guarantee that guarantees a certain percentage of your property’s value at the start of your plan, will still pass on to your beneficiaries.
  3. Unlikelihood of ANY early repayment charges being applied if the plan is taken out with the current Bank of England base rate at 0.5%

 

Although, certain remaining equity release schemes can provide an equity guarantee, none of them can offer the remaining two.

Therefore, if you have a future requirement whereby you wish for a drawdown plan that offers a larger long term cash facility then the Prudential Increasing cash reserve plan could be an option.

Additionally, if you have a shorter term borrowing requirement, (possibly unsuccessful sale of property in the current climate) the Prudential equity release plan, with its unlikely NO early repayment charge scenario also could be an option.

 

So, if these features are of interest & you are considering releasing equity from your property, what are the deadlines for last minute applications?  

 

  1. Last date for quote requests is 31st December 2009
  2. Last date for applications which must be supported by a quote is 15th January 2009
  3. All applications must be completed by 31st March 2009

 

For last minute queries & illustrations please ring immediately on 0800 783 9652 or email mark@equityreleasesupermarket.co.uk

Prudential Set To Withdraw From Selling Equity Release

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

Prudential has announced to the industry that it will withdraw from writing new equity release business in the New Year.

The insurer will however continue to maintain the current service standards to its existing 14,000 customers.

 

As reported in earlier newsletters on this site, this follows a trent set in 2009 of other equity release providers pulling its equity release schemes - notably Coventry Building Society (Godiva), Saffron Building Society, Retirement Plus & Northern Rock.

 

However, the Prudential’s announcement is the first major casualty in the specialist equity release market & may come as a concern.

 

Launched in 2004, Prudential had innovative products & backed by its strong household brand name. Their market share had been 23% in 2008 & 12% of the equity release market in 2009, with total lending amounting to around £1bn.

They have stated that the mortgage book always was planned to be securitised, however with current market conditions this course of action was stemmed. Barry O’Dwyer who is Managing director of retail life and pensions stated that he does not feel this securitisation market to return potentially for another five years.

Other factors Prudential have sited are the up-front costs of equity release provision being too high against the payback period for the capital. Prudential now feel this cash is better deployed to other product areas of the business.

 

Remaining companies in the market will surely address their positions in light of this. The major providers now left being Aviva, Just Retirement, LV=, Hodge Lifetime, Stonehaven & the home reversion companies of Bridgewater & Home & Capital

Therefore, anyone considering the Prudential equity release plan must act soon!

 

For a summary of their products and rates please click on the following link…Prudential Equity Release Plans

 

Equity Release Supermarket still have a special offer with the Prudential which includes a free valuation & £300 cashback on completion.

 

Click here to register your interest…Prudential Offers

 

If you have any queries or an existing customer please contact Mark Gregory on 0800 783 9652 or email mark@equityreleasesupermarket.co.uk

 
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