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How to Find Equity Release Advice

4 min read

How to Find Equity Release Advice
Equity release can be a good way to generate cash and take advantage of one of your most valuable assets – your home. Before you consider this option, you need to find equity release advice to ensure you make the right decision.

What is Equity Release?

If you are over 55 and you own your own home, equity release can be a fantastic way to take advantage of its value. House prices have risen significantly in recent years and so there could be more equity available to you than ever before.
There are two options available: the Lifetime Mortgage scheme and the home reversion scheme. Both allow you to release some of the equity (cash) tied up in your home as a tax-free cash sum. 
Although an equity release scheme is a useful way to provide you with some financial security, it might not be the right option in all circumstances. For example, taking some of the equity out of your property today will understandably mean there will be less available for your estate in the future and if you are in receipt of means-tested benefits, supplementing your income with a tax-free cash injection could affect your entitlement to these.
It is therefore vital that you seek independent financial advice before proceeding with equity release so that you can fully understand the features and risks.
Reader's Digest Equity Release can provide you access to a trustworthy nationwide network of advisers. Your personal adviser will guide you through the risks and, if equity release is right for you, recommend one of a range of carefully selected products from Equity Release Council-approved lenders designed to offer great value for you and your family, both now and in the future.

Where should I look for equity release advice?

If you are considering an equity release product you will likely be doing lots of research and shopping around. There are lots of different options and providers, so it is important to look in the right places and get information from sources you can trust.
The following can be a good place to start when finding equity release advice:

Take advantage of government websites

If you want to find general advice to help you understand your rights and options better, an official government website is a good place to start. The Money Advice Service has plenty of information regarding private equity.
In addition to articles on the subject, you can also have a chat during normal office hours or call the impartial advice number for more information.  These resources are great for understanding the basics and for acquiring information on how you can protect yourself and your home. Be sure to read the advice and informative articles on the subject throughout our Reader's Digest Equity Release section as well.

Make use of equity release calculators

A great place to start if you are interested in finding out if equity release could be right for you is to make use of an equity release calculator. Our free online calculator will give you an idea of how much equity you might be able to release, based on the key factors of both your age and estimated property value. These figures should give you an idea of if equity release is something worth seeking out in your situation, and what could be achievable with your release amount.
The benefit of  using our free online calculator is that, once you have received your instant estimate, you will be contacted by our Information Team and sent a copy of the Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Equity Release. The Information Team can answer any initial questions that you may have and arrange for you to have a free and no-obligation appointment with one of our fully qualified advisers. This will ensure that you understand the benefits and risks and your adviser will provide you with a personalised illustration as well as recommendations of plans to suit your needs.

Why get advice from Reader's Digest Equity Release?

At Reader's Digest Equity Release, we want to make sure that you are confident and comfortable when deciding if equity release is for you. If you seek our advice, we will:
  • Provide no-obligation consultations to discuss your needs, priorities, and preferences.
  • Work at your pace – you’ll never be pushed or rushed to proceed with equity release advice.
  • Provide one dedicated equity release adviser to stay with you throughout your journey.
  • Give you access to exclusive plans and deals from our hand-picked panel of lenders.
If you are ready, calculate now or call direct on 0800 066 2491 to discuss your needs and arrange your advice appointment today.
Reader's Digest  Equity Release is a trading style of Responsible Life Limited. Responsible Life Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is entered on the Financial Services Register (https://register.fca.org.uk) under reference 610205. 
Responsible Life Limited receives a marketing contribution from one of the lenders on our panel, Responsible Lending. Responsible Lending is a partner organisation of Responsible Life and may directly benefit from this promotion.
There is no obligation on Reader's Digest Equity Release or Responsible Life to recommend Reponsible Lending products and you will be provided with an impartial advice sservice. Any conflict of interest therein is managed by Responsible Life and overseen by our Compliance Officer. For further details on the value of this contribution please contact us at compliance@responsible.co.uk.
A Lifetime Mortgage will impact the value of your estate and could affect your entitlement to means-tested benefits. Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. To understand the features and risks ask for a personalised illustration.
Only if you choose to proceed and your case completes will Responsible Life Limited charge an advice fee, currently not exceeding £1,690. Our adviser will talk through the setting up costs of a Lifetime Mortgage before you make any decision to proceed.
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