How To Release Equity
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How to Release Equity
If you’re a home owner aged 55 or over who wants to raise some extra capital to make yourself feel more financial comfortable in your retirement years you might have been wondering to release equity from your home.
Types of Equity release
When it comes to releasing equity there are two types of plan so it is important to consider which would be the best option for you.
Lifetime Mortgages
Lifetime mortgages allow you to get at some of your home’s value while maintaining your ownership of it. A lifetime mortgage works by securing a loan against your property for a percentage of its market value. The amount is then repaid through the sale of your home when you and your partner both die or move to a care home.
There are three types of lifetime mortgage:
- Roll-up – With this option both the original loan amount and the accumulated compound interest are paid off through the sale of your home.
- Interest-only – This plan lets you make interest repayments on a monthly basis but the original amount is repaid through the eventual sale of your home.
- Fixed repayment – Instead of repayment sum being calculated using interest you agree with the lender during your application how much more will be paid back to them when your home is sold. If your home decreases in value then you do not need to worry about any debt passing on to your estate as long as your plan has a ‘no negative equity guarantee’ this means you or your beneficiaries will never need to pay back any more than your home sells for even if it is less than the amount your borrowed.
Home Reversion Schemes
In a home reversion scheme you sell your property to a Home Reversion company at less than its market value for a lump sum or for a regular ‘income’ payment. In return the reversion company will guarantee to let you continue to live in your home until you and your partner both die or permanently move into care at which point they sell it. Some plans will let you live in the property for free others will charge a monthly rental amount a reduced rate.
Costs involved
Both types of equity release will involve some initial set up costs. Most companies will require arrangement and valuation fees however some will waive this initially and take it into consideration when calculating your interest rate or allow it to be deducted from your payment. You will need to pay your solicitor legal fees which may range from £300-£700. If you opt for a lifetime mortgage and then decide to pay it off before your contract ends you may incur an early repayment charge.
Find out more about equity release Equity release in a long term commitment that will reduce how much you can leave behind and it is not right for everyone. Therefore you should consider all of your options before making a decision.
What is equity release?
Key features include:
- Available to homeowners aged 55 to 95
- Release capital tax free from your home
- You choose how to spend the money
- Lump sum & drawdown options
- You cannot release equity without taking advice
How does equity release work?
Key features include:
- The amount you can release will depend on your age
- The minimum age you can be is aged 55 with 95 as an upper limit
- The minimum property value on which an equity release plan can be secured on is £70,000
- The older you are and the higher the value of your property the more equity you can release
When capital is release by the plan provider, instead of making monthly interest repayments, interest is usually added to the loan. this is known as compound interest. At the end of the plan (usually when either of you pass away or move into long term care) your house will be sold & the equity release plan provider will be paid back from the house sale proceeds with the balance paid to your estate.
What types of equity release plans are there?
Lump sum lifetime mortgage
- Provides a tax free lump sum secured against your home giving you access to a pot of cash.
- Funds released can be used for almost any purpose
- You retain full ownership of your home
- Interest rolls up and is added to the loan. Typically repaid when you pass away or move into long term care
- Some plans allow you to guarantee a percentage of the future value of your home for your loved ones’ inheritance. Other options include the option to pay monthly interest
- You need to take advice before you can take a lifetime mortgage out
Drawdown lifetime mortgage
- Lets you drawdown cash in stages after an initial lump sum
- You will only pay interest on the funds drawn down
- These plans are more flexible so you do not miss out on means tested benefits
- Drawn down funds can be used for any purpose e.g. home improvements, pay for university fees
Home reversion plan
- Need to be aged 65+ to qualify
- Involves selling all or part of your home for a tax free cash lump sum
- The money you receive can be used for any purpose
- Your share of the property will benefit from house price increases
- When you pass away or sell your home, the home reversion provider takes its percentage from the sale proceeds.
For a quick estimate of what you could borrow use the link below:
Equity Release Calculator »
What is the difference between a lifetime mortgage and a retirement interest only mortgage?
Also known as equity release mortgages, like retirement interest only (RIO) mortgages they are only available to over-55s, and the loan is fully paid off when the last person living in the property dies, sells the home or goes into care.
The main difference is that RIO mortgages require borrowers to pass affordability checks and commit to making regular payments for life. With an equity release plan there are no such checks required.
How much equity in my home can I release?
The key thing are your age and the value of your property.
The table below provides an approximate indication of how much equity you can expect to release from your home depending upon how old you are from a lifetime mortgage (Home Reversion Plans may offer a higher amount):
AGE | % OF EQUITY RELEASE |
---|---|
55 | 25 |
56 | 26 |
57 | 27 |
58 | 28 |
59 | 29 |
60 | 32 |
61 | 33 |
62 | 34 |
63 | 35 |
64 | 36 |
65 | 37 |
66 | 38 |
67 | 39 |
68 | 40 |
69 | 41 |
70 | 42 |
71 | 43 |
72 | 44 |
AGE | % OF EQUITY RELEASE |
---|---|
73 | 45 |
74 | 46 |
75 | 48 |
76 | 49 |
77 | 50 |
78 | 51 |
79 | 51 |
80 | 52 |
81 | 52 |
82 | 53 |
83 | 53 |
84 | 54 |
85 | 54 |
86 | 54 |
87 | 54 |
88 | 54 |
90 | 54 |
Lifestyle factors can also come into play, so if you are a smoker or are overweight the amount you can release may be increased.
For a quick estimate of what you could borrow use the link below:
Equity Release Calculator »
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Equity Release Quotes >>
THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.
Equity release may affect your entitlement to state benefits and will reduce the value of your estate. It may involve a lifetime mortgage or home reversion plan. All content set out in this website is provided for information only and should not be considered as advice. It is strongly recommended that you seek advice of a qualified, independent financial advisor before making any decisions to take out an equity release product.
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