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Equity Release Uses

    12 Practical Uses for Home Equity Release

    Older homeowners live to see the value of their estates multiply, and they earn thousands in tax-free money from each of their estates, making their estate wealth soar to record highs. With this in mind, you can imagine why equity release has risen to become the most popular retirement financial plan for many.

    Whilst some may still opt to downsize, it usually presents a challenge when it requires you to move away from your family.

    Equity release enables you, as a proprietor, if you are 55 and above, to borrow funds against the value of your home and repay it when you die or move into a care unit.

    The most popular equity release examples include lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans. These schemes offer a lifeline too many with debts or shortfalls in your pension income.

    What Can Equity Release Be Used For?

    This article will provide you with 12 of the most practical uses for equity release you can use to improve your life:

    #1. Home Improvement

    Do you ever think of modernising your house design and adding accessories?  Well, an equity release can help you work on your home renovation projects and still leave you with some money to spare.

    You can use the tax-free funds you get from equity release to make your home feel more modern and boost your self-esteem.

    #2. Cater for Your Care Home Expenses

    There are current cases of negligence regarding the aged-care systems. You can opt to get in-home care and use equity release fund to finance the service you get.

    Other than relying on the local government contributions, you can draw an equity release, and get the funds needed to get yourself the best care.

    Equity release can help you achieve more comfort and dignity later in life.

    #3. Mobility Equipment

    As age catches up with you, your limbs may become weary, and sometimes you might need to have mobility aid in place to help you manoeuvre around the property.

    Equity release plans can help you achieve a respectable level of comfort by adapting your passages, installing high-quality stairlifts, adjustable beds, reclining chairs, mobility scooters, and anything else that’ll help make life easier.

    #4. Pay Off the Mortgage

    Perhaps you experience stress searching for ways to clear your mortgage because you don’t know where to start. Consider how, according to the Financial Conduct Authority, 28% of homeowners that got with equity release in 2019 used it to pay off their existing mortgages.

    You can also take out the equity that’s tied up in your property and repay your remaining mortgage.

    #5. Clearing Debts

    Some debts become very costly over the long-run but taking out an equity release plan might be your best option. Releasing equity might seem tricky, but considering that you repay when you die or move into permanent care, it emerges as the most suitable financial plan to help you avoid breaking in debt.

    You always need to make sure you consult an independent financial adviser to ensure that you understand risks and cost covered.

    #6. Making Investments

    Many consumers of equity release use it to fund their business ideas. You too, motivated by the sole purpose of multiplying your money, you can use the equity tied up in your home to make the most of lucrative investment opportunities.

    Don’t forget to consult your professional financial adviser before you risk your equity on investments.

    #7. Helping Your Friends and Family

    The financial crisis and other economic challenges have motivated the world to change family lives for the better. An equity release plan like a home reversion or lifetime mortgage can get you the funds needed to help your children and grandkids to get on the first step of the housing ladder with the capital for a deposit.

    #8. Your Dream Ideal Holiday

    Using an equity release to free up the money valued in your home, you can turn your fantasies into reality and pursue your dream holiday.

    #9. Boosting Income

    Sometimes your pension can’t help you meet all your needs; an Equity release can boost your pension funds and help make your life a little more comfortable.

    #10. Purchase Another Home

    Most people just dream of having a second home. You can make that dream to life by using your equity release schemes to purchase a second home.

    One alternative is to get a buy-to-let property, then using the extra rental funds to support your pension.

    #11. Buying Your Partner Out

    Recently, divorce rates have been spiking in the UK. There are now rates of over 100,000 couples trying to beat hurdles on how to divide their assets and savings.

    Perhaps nobody can afford to buy the other out; most people opt to selling the house and splitting the proceeds. However, if you want to avoid selling the home, utilising out an equity release plan can be the perfect option to choose.

    It will not only enable you to secure some cash, but it will allow you to buy out your partner, thus reducing the stress on the divorce process.

    #12. Staying Up-to-Date

    Perhaps you’ve been feeling like you’re lagging regarding technological progress and the modern lifestyle, an equity release can help you gain more modern devices and other belongings.

    You could finally get rid of that old TV set, old furniture, old car, and other useless gadgets.

    Life expectancy is on the rise, and people are living longer than ever before. You have more time to enjoy your earned retirement.

    To Conclude

    Unlocking some equity that has accumulated with the value of your home and using it to fund your plans, which may include some stated examples of uses,  you can easily make your retirement worth your while.

    Therefore, consult your trusted financial adviser and make plans towards taking out your equity release plan and how best you can use it.

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