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Types of Equity Release Mortgage

There are two types of equity release schemes: lifetime and home reversion. Each comes with its own benefits and drawbacks so it is important to know exactly what you want from your loan.

Lifetime Mortgage
With a lifetime mortgage policy, you normally get a tax-free lump sum which is then secured on your property. There are no monthly repayments and all interest is compounded monthly and added to the final amount paid when the property is sold, either when you move or in the event of your death.

Some lenders allow you to pay off the interest monthly so that you are clear on how much is owing when the time comes to make the loan repayment. This gives you more control over how much of your estate is left for heirs when you pass away.

Home Reversion Mortgage
With a home reversion plan you still get the tax-free lump sum but this is done by selling all or part of your home to the lender. You will continue to live in your house even though it now belongs to the lender, and the lender will get their share back in the event of your death.

It is important to note that the lender will pay below market rate for their portion of the property. This is so you can continue to live there and enjoy the property even though they own it in part. If the value of the property falls or rises, so does the value of the lender’s share.

Some lenders will also let you move to a new house when you have an existing home reversion mortgage. Your lender will want to do a more thorough check on the new property as they will be joint owners on it as well if you are using money from the sale of your previous property to purchase the new one.

Equity Release Interest Rates and Charges

Unlike regular mortgages, you won’t stop accumulating interest until the property is sold and the amount is repaid. That means the mortgage is open-ended and if you have a mortgage that doesn’t require monthly interest repayments, you could accumulate debt through the interest build-up.

It is important to bear in mind that the average interest rate on an equity release mortgage is usually higher than it is on standard mortgages and you will need to be careful about how quickly any debt builds up. Some families have found themselves in debt trying to pay off mortgages left behind by parents who weren’t given helpful advice regarding their equity release mortgages. You should ask a financial adviser and a solicitor to look over any contracts very carefully before you sign anything.

Typical equity release mortgages are set at around 5%, although you may be able to find one as low as 3%. However, with recent changes in the market, interest rates are not steady, and unless you have a fixed interest rate, your charges are likely to fluctuate a bit.

In addition to interest rates, there are other fees and charges that you need to bear in mind. Equity release mortgage rates hinge on multiple factors and can be variable, which is why Finance Advice Centre has a specialised equity release mortgage advice team to help you get the best deal for your needs and circumstances.

There is normally a set-up fee for any equity release mortgage, and as with any other mortgage, there are legal fees and lender costs up-front. Depending on when you bought your house, there may also be hidden costs such as listing your property with the land registry. Not all houses were registered before 1980, so if you purchased your house before then there is a chance you may have to complete the registration before taking out a loan.

Equity Release Advice

There are a lot of things to bear in mind if you are planning to take out an equity release mortgage. Some of the important things to consider are:

How much you need
The more you take, the more interest you will owe. Some mortgages allow you to take smaller amounts as you need them rather than taking a lump sum. If you are able to do this it is usually a better option as interest only accumulates on what you have actually borrowed.

Who you borrow from
Sadly, scams and fraud are more frequently targeted at the elderly and those with financial needs. Make sure that the lender you borrow from is a member of the Equity Release Council. Members of the council have to give you a no-negative-equity guarantee and are governed by the council. This protects you and your heirs from nasty surprises down the road. When you use Finance Advice Centre to find your lender, you can be assured that we will only recommend and use trusted and verified lenders.

Effects on Benefits
If you receive any benefits, receiving a lump sum of money or monthly instalments may change your financial position enough to disqualify you from receiving those benefits. Make sure you know the requirements for your benefits and how your entitlement might be impacted by an equity release mortgage. Pension credit and universal credit are two of the main benefits that may be impacted so speak to your adviser about how your loan might affect you.

Effects on family
If you have close family or beneficiaries, speak to them before taking out an equity release mortgage. This type of mortgage can often have a severe impact on the estate when you pass away.

Alternatives
Speak to a financial advisor about any alternative options you may have. You may choose to downsize or rent out a room to increase your income. Everyone will have different options available to them and sometimes an equity release mortgage is the best option, but you should make sure you are making an informed decision and that you have all the information and alternatives laid out before you sign anything.

If you are thinking about taking out an Equity Release Mortgage get in touch and one of our specialists in that area would be happy to walk you through the process.

Equity released from your home will be secured against it. This article is for information only and is not meant to be seen as advice or a recommendation to act.