Lifetime Mortgages
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Lifetime Mortgage and Home Reversion Plans
These are schemes by which people are able to get hold of some of the equity in their house, without leaving the house.
Before going any further, let us just say that if you need additional income the most sensible and financially efficient option is to sell your house and buy something smaller, more manageable and cheaper to run, investing the difference to produce an income. This is especially true if your property would be hard to manage if you became weaker or infirm in later old age.
Other alternatives worth investigating are that of renting out a spare room(s), which can provide tax-free income or, (for larger properties) the conversion of part of the house into an apartment and renting it out.
Lifetime Mortgage and Home Reversion Plans are very much an attempt to, "have one's cake and eat it", and as such, when most people look into it thoroughly, it proves to be unsuitable.
The two main types of scheme are:-
- Lifetime Mortgage - you borrow against your house. You might pay the interest, or, more commonly, the interest rolls up, and when you die or sell the house, you or your estate have to settle the debt. The issue here is to ensure that you understand the maths and the effect of compound interest, as adding interest to the amount you owe will reduce the remaining equity in your home. If you live a long time, or if house prices fall, there may be no equity left for your heirs to inherit.
- Home Reversion Plans - you sell some or all of your property to an investment fund. You get cash and live there for the rest of your life, but there may be restrictions on moving. (For example if you sold your home fully to a scheme then they might want to ensure that the property you want them to buy meets their requirements. This may prevent you making the move that you would like). Make sure you understand ALL of your rights and responsibilities, and any restrictions that you might suffer.
In both types you are normally responsible for the upkeep of the property (including expenses).
Never enter into any of these arrangements without talking it through with a Financial Adviser.
Equity release involves selling or borrowing against your home. It may affect your eligibility for state benefits, your ability to move house, and the amount of any inheritance you may leave.
This web page refers to lifetime and home reversionary plan mortgages. To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration.
Last updated on April 7, 2010
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