Could you benefit from releasing cash from your home?
Recent figures from the Halifax have revealed house prices continue to rise, and the average house is now worth £212,000. It's an awful lot of money to have tied up in a property – especially if you are living on a limited income – which begs the question of whether it's worth turning some of that property equity into cash.
For many people, their home is probably their biggest financial asset, far outweighing any savings and income, so freeing up a lump sum is tempting.
If you are looking for a cash injection, you have a few options. You can downsize – assuming you can release enough cash to cover the cost of selling and buying and leave you with enough left over.
Alternatively you can talk to family members about any help they can offer, or you can consider equity release.
This allows homeowners who are aged 55 or over to release some of the equity tied up in their home and turn it into tax-free cash.
Click here to find out how much cash you could unlock
How it works
The most common type of equity release is a lifetime mortgage – which enables you to borrow a lump sum against your property. While you have borrowed the cash, interest will build up and be added to the outstanding loan. This will only have to be repaid when the last applicant dies or goes in to long term care.
Age Partnership says that at the moment low interest rates are creating an opportunity to offer competitive deals. Current low lifetime mortgage interest rates could save homeowners who had previously considered equity release, hundreds or thousands of pounds over the course of the plan.
Click here to find out how much cash you could unlock
Rising prices
The company also highlights recent Nationwide figures that show UK average house prices have increased by 17% in the last three years - which means you could unlock more tax-free money from your home than you could previously.
If you have already unlocked the money from your home, you may be tied in with fees and early repayment charges, but it's still worth investigating whether you could be better off switching plans – which may enable you to borrow more or switch to a lower interest rate or a more flexible plan.
What's more, Age Partnership points out that the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, estimates that house prices may rise an average of 6% in 2016 alone, so the fact you continue to own your property means you will still benefit from price rises.
Of course, there are no guarantees that price rises will outweigh the additional interest payable on your loan, which is why it's important to think this through carefully.
Click here to find out how much MORE cash you could unlock
Getting the best advice
Those who are considering releasing the cash locked up in their home should seek independent, impartial advice from someone like Age Partnership who will talk you through all the considerations - including what impact it could have on the size of your estate over time and if your entitlement to means-tested benefits could be affected.
They will charge a fee based on the figure released from the property, but in return will also compare the whole of the market and only recommend a plan if it's in your best interests. To find out more about equity release including how much money you could release from your home, Click here.
This is a lifetime mortgage. To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration.
Plan availability is subject to lenders criteria. Age Partnership will provide advice for free and without obligation. Only if you choose to proceed and your case completes would a typical fee of 1.7% of the amount released be payable.
