It can be beneficial and very essential to obtain information on the various equity release schemes. Equity release schemes make it possible for property owners to obtain a loan from equity release providers. The loan can be a lump sum cash amount or it can be a monthly amount. To determine what is best for you compare equity release schemes.
Using an equity release calculator, the amount that the home owner is eligible for is calculated based on the value of his property. An equity release calculator is of great help in that it helps you to calculate the overall amount of money a person would be getting once he applies for an equity release scheme. With the advancement of the internet, it is possible for a person to calculate how much money he is allowed to borrow since that equity release calculators are now online.
When you compare equity release schemes, you will realise that repayment is normally done after the death of the property owner. The initial amount that was released is paid back by selling the property. With the help of the internet, you can easily compare equity schemes. The main types of equity release schemes include the lifetime mortgages, the interest only lifetime mortgages, and the home reversion plan.
The lifetime mortgage scheme allows a property owner to obtain a loan without having to make any monthly repayments. Like normal mortgage schemes, interest is calculated on the loan amount. This amount and the initial loan amount are repaid together. Interest only lifetime mortgage schemes are the same as lifetime mortgage schemes. The only difference is that the home owner needs to pay the interest amount on a monthly basis. With home reversion plans, the property owner sells his property for one large cash amount or for a monthly amount, but can still remain in his property until he dies. This time no monthly payments are made and there is no interest charged as the partial sale of the property determines how much equity remains at the end of the day.
There are many different providers of equity release schemes ranging from household names such as Aviva, LV and annuity specialist Just Retirement. Lesser known companies such as more2life, Partnership & New Life Mortgages have created niches for themselves, but still have the protection afforded by being members of SHIP (Safe Home Income Plans).
Many of them differ in their fees, their interest rates, and the method of calculating the amount that the property owner is eligible for. This is why it is very important to compare the different providers of equity release schemes to make sure that you choose the scheme that will best be able to satisfy your needs.
You always want to make sure you consult your family and an independent financial adviser before taking the word of any of the companies. They will have their own interests and while the companies are set up to handle your needs under financial regulations it does not mean you have to be steered towards the product you would most like.
By speaking with someone after you compare equity release schemes, you can find out what the adviser would suggest. Would they think one of the lifetime mortgage schemes is better for you or would they think home reversion with no payment in the end is better? What do you think after the comparison?
By asking these helpful questions you can ultimately decide where you will go in your financial decision. Speaking with family is also important since it is your family that will suffer should something occur to you. They may find their inheritance gone with the wrong scheme. They might find a negative equity clause was not included and therefore more money than should have been paid back is needed.
The above suggestions are not to make you think there are problems with any of the companies out there. It is just that sometimes you have to ask the right questions. You have to know what you are truly looking for in an equity release scheme before you can decide what to do with your property.
If you do not know there is a lifetime mortgage with a negative equity clause how can you make sure you protect your family? What if your family has a different way for you to fund your retirement than taking out a mortgage or selling part of your home? Look at all your options such as downsizing to a smaller home as you compare equity release schemes.