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  EQUITY RELEASE MATTERS
 
•   Equity Release
•   What is Equity Release?
•   What is a lifetime mortgage?
•   What is a home reversion plan?
•   Fees and Costs
•   Existing mortgages
•   How can Later Life Matters Limited help me?
•   Common questions
   
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What is a lifetime mortgage?


A Lifetime Mortgage is designed to provide a lump sum, monthly income or both.  There are no repayments to make to the Equity Release provider – the interest is "rolled up" into the plan.

The interest could be set up on a fixed or variable basis and added to the loan either monthly or yearly.  It is important to note that this is “compound interest” – so the interest will be charged on the original loan plus the interest already added.

If you choose to take a single cash sum at the outset, the amount that owe can add up quickly. It is important to be aware of the repayment tables that are included within the Key Facts Illustration provided as part of the paperwork when considering taking out a Lifetime Mortgage, as these will give you an idea of how quickly the loan can build up and how this can affect any inheritance that you may wish to leave to your family in the future or additional monies you may want to pay for any Long Term Care that may be needed.

The amount originally borrowed plus the interest is repaid out of the proceeds when the property is sold.  This could be when you die or possibly move into Long Term Care, depending in your particular circumstances.  Some Lifetime Mortgages will allow you to repay the mortgage earlier if you decide to move or downsize and it is important to ensure that any scheme you may consider accurately meets your personal requirements.

The amount that you are able to release from your property depends on your age(s) at the time, the open market value of your property and its type and condition.  

Applications can be made on a joint life basis or single life, depending on your personal circumstances.  If the application were to be made on a joint life basis, the sale of the home to repay the proceeds would only be required once the second person died or moved into Long Term Care.

It is possible to receive a cash lump sum or smaller sums over time.  These are known as “Drawdown Schemes” and may provide the flexibility of taking a smaller sum regularly or only when you need them.  Interest would only be applied to the monies once they are taken, so this can sometimes be a more cost-effective option.

“Interest Only” mortgages were an alternative to the “roll-up” version of the Lifetime Mortgage, which allowed you to receive a cash lump sum and then repay fixed or variable interest each month. 

If a variable interest rate was chosen and your pension or other income was fixed, it could become difficult to continue to meet the repayments if interest rates rise in the future.

However, these types of scheme are becoming more and more scarce on the market, with many Equity Release providers concentrating on the “roll-up” version of their plan.

“Fixed Repayment” mortgages are also available.  These provide a cash lump sum and instead of interest being charged on the loan, you agree that when your home is sold you will pay the Lender a higher sum than you borrowed.

This higher sum would be agreed at the start of the mortgage and how much higher the repayment figure is will depend on your age and life expectancy.  The lender would then take this higher lump sum when your home is sold.

It is important to note that when you die the Lender may charge interest on the loan outstanding from the date you die until the mortgage is repaid.  This could be quite some time if probate was delayed or the housing markets were negative at that time.

 
 

 
     
     
 
  What Matters?  
  Later Life Matters Limited offer an Independent Care Advice service - we provide help and support in finding...  
  Long Term Care Matters  
  If you find that you may be facing the prospect of financing your own care, either in a Care Home or in your...  
  Make an Enquiry  
  All of our initial advice, including the personalised report, can be provided without any obligation whatsoever...  
  Equity Release Matters  
  British people over the age of 50 are estimated to have more than £750 million equity in their homes...