Equity Release
If you're looking to release some equity from your home Banner Jones can offer helpful advice.
Equity Release in Chesterfield, Sheffield, Dronfield and Mansfield
There are various equity release schemes which will allow you to release some of the value also known as the equity that is locked in your home. They allow you to obtain either a lump sum or a regular income or both without you having to move home. You will need expert legal and financial advice, if you are considering this option.
Equity Release schemes have earned a poor reputation in former years, but the regime is now much more regulated than it was. We would still strongly advise you to seek proper legal and financial advice before considering it.
Reversion Scheme
These equity release schemes involve you selling all or part of your home to a Reversion Company. In return, you receive a lump sum or a monthly income. You and your partner can stay in the home, usually rent free, for the rest of your lives. When the property is eventually sold (usually on the 2nd death), the Reversion Company receives a % of the sale proceeds equal to the % of the property that they bought from you.
Lifetime Mortgage Equity Release Schemes
This heading covers a variety of different equity release mortgage schemes, all of which involve you borrowing money secured on the value of your home. Again, you can receive either a lump sum or a monthly income. You continue to own all of your home and the loan is repaid to the lender when your home is sold. You can choose whether to make interest payments or whether the interest is “rolled up” and paid back when the property is sold.
Equity Release Advice
If you are considering releasing some of the equity in your home, please book an appointment and we will be happy to discuss your options. We can meet you with your financial adviser if you wish, to make sure the advice is integrated. If you do not already have a financial adviser, we would be happy to recommend a specialist, independent adviser who can discuss your circumstances in detail.
Common Equity Release Questions
You can withdraw from a sale or purchase up until the point contracts have been exchanged. Any deposits paid after exchange of contract will then by non-refundable. After contracts are exchanged you are then responsible for the property you are buying and should arrange suitable insurance from this date. There are all sorts of “hidden” costs including: To be eligible for any of the equity release schemes available, you must generally speaking: A local authority search completed for a house purchase is valid for 3 months. We usually say 8-12 weeks for an average sale or purchase. Queries and concerns can often come out of the local authority searches which need further investigation and sometimes this leads to re-approval from the Mortgage lender. This can add further time into the process. It may be that you could consider other options as opposed to equity release, such as moving to a smaller property or cashing in other “nest eggs”, such as premium bonds or savings. The schemes fall under 2 broad headings: “Reversion Schemes” and “Lifetime Mortgage Schemes”. Each type will have advantages and disadvantages. You can indemnify the work by taking out an insurance policy. This means that you can not be held liable for any future fault on the work that was done. We can arrange this for you Stamp Duty is a tax levied by HM Government on a transfer of property. For residential single property ownership this tax is calculated at 5% for the portion of the property value between £250,001 and £925,000, 10% for the portion between £925,001 and £1,500,000 and 12% for the portion £1,500,001 and over. Duty may also be chargeable on any rental charge (leases only) - this affects both residential and commercial leases where different thresholds are applied. There are different rates for First time buyers and "second homes/buy to let". Tenants is Common is where two or more people are entitled to the proceeds of sale in distinct shares - on the death of one, his/her interest will not pass to the survivor(s) but will be part of his/her estate. Joint Tenants are on the other hand 50/50 Co-owners of land - when one of them dies, his/her rights of ownership pass to the survivor(s).
At what point in the process is it legally binding?
Equity Release costs?
You should also consider the following:
How does Equity Release work?
How long are local searches valid for?
How long does the conveyancing process take on average?
Is Equity Release right for me?
What different Equity Release Schemes are available?
What happens if we can’t produce certificates for work we’ve had done on the house we’re selling?
What is Stamp Duty and how much will I have to pay?
What is the difference between Joint Tenants and Tenants in Common?
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