Saturday, 1 October 2011

Basic Facts About Equity Release Schemes

By Craig Seamus Samson


For homeowners in need of cash, equity release schemes provide a simple way to obtain money. The process is designed for older people to obtain the cash they need or want, even when most banks are reluctant to loan it to them under normal circumstances. Before seeking this money, however, it is important to understand the basics of the process.

How to qualify

The main qualifications for this lending scheme involve age and home ownership. Lenders need to know that the mortgage has been paid in full before the homeowner can qualify for cash. They will also require information about the property's condition and overall value so that they can determine how much they can lend.

The value of this option

The fact is that banks are often leery about lending to seniors who might not have the resources or life expectancy needed to service new debt. Often times, the senior's home is the only valuable thing he owns for collateral, and most older people are not enthusiastic about using their one main possession as collateral for a loan that may be too burdensome for them to repay.

This system enables those seniors to obtain the money they need to enjoy retirement, while still being allowed to remain in their houses throughout the remainder of their lives. As a result, people with no pension or seniors who simply want to have money to travel and enjoy their retirement are able to get that cash with no risk.

Choosing a plan

Seniors have three plans from which to choose: the home income, lifetime mortgage, or home revision scheme. Home income options use the home to secure monthly sums of money for life, while lifetime plans offer a one-time amount of money to the mortgage holder. The revision plan allows homeowners to select either of the two payment options.

Rather, the property itself serves as security for the loan and is transferred to the lender upon the death of the borrower. This process enables older people to use their homes to secure loans without the risk of default. It is important to note, however, that borrowers give up any right to bequeath the homes to others when they die.

For many seniors, however, that drawback should be of less concern than their own well-being during retirement. Because they offer the elderly an opportunity to enjoy a higher standard of living in their twilight years, equity release schemes will likely grow in popularity as the population continues to age.




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