Equity release is a tool that allows you to cash the capital value of your property without losing the ownership. Through equity release you can get a steady flow of income; however, the lender or the investor has to be paid at a later time or the ownership of the property should be transferred to them.
This plan is very much suitable for senior citizens; through equity release they can get a steady income or a lump sum amount in hand. The fund can be used for any purpose. And most importantly after releasing the equity value of their home, they can still live in the premise as owner. According to the agreement, after the death of the owner the property goes to the lender or the investor.
A lot of elderly people find this loan to be very helpful; after retirement income usually goes down but the expenses do not. A steady flow of income or a lump sum amount in hand helps them manage things easily. Let’s see how equity loans work.
Equity release loans are offered to senior citizens who are older than 55 years. Equity release loan can be disbursed against any property; most people use their home to get the loan hence equity release has become somehow synonymous with home equity release. The money is offered in form of a lump sum cash or steady monthly income. The lender can use the fund for any purpose.
Home Reversion Scheme and Lifetime Mortgage are the two types of equity release plans. Let’s learn more about them.
Under the lifetime mortgage plan you can get a loan against the property value. You can request for regular payments or a lump sum amount or a combination of both. You own the house as long you live or your spouse lives.
Lifetime mortgages are usually negative equity proof, which means at any point of time you cannot owe more than the sale value of the property whatever the market condition is. Based on the type of property and many other facts you need to pay interest; if you choose not to make any payments the interest keeps piling up and paid to the lender when the property is sold.
Home reversion is a different type of plan altogether; under this plan you sell part of your home to an individual or a reversion company. You do not retain the full ownership of the property however; you do not need to pay any rent to the company or the individual either. The company can use the sold part of your house and can live their without paying you any rent for the rest of your life. Home reversion plan helps you get a lump sum amount in hand.
Equity release loans are very much helpful for senior citizens. It helps them live a financially sound life after retirement; through equity release they can bring in stability in life. With increasing popularity of equity release several schemes have started coming in the market. If you plan to buy any of the schemes, make sure you understand the plan properly.
