Category: Uncategorized
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Equity Release Usage Holds Strong in Early 2024 Despite Fewer Newcomers
In the first quarter of 2024, the UK’s equity release market showed a resilient performance with over 14,000 clients opting to unlock value from their properties, according to the latest figures from the Equity Release Council. Specifically, from January to March, a total of 14,216 customers engaged with equity release products. This is a modest…
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The Bright Future of Later-Life Lending
Equity release, once a niche financial product, has firmly established itself as a mainstream solution for later-life financial planning. This shift reflects the evolving needs and growing acceptance among homeowners, particularly those over the age of 50. As the industry continues to innovate and adapt, equity release is set to play a pivotal role in…
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Dreaming of a Sun-Drenched Holiday Home? How Can You Finance It Abroad?
In recent years, snagging a second home in a foreign country has become a trend among Brits, with approximately 40% of second homes owned by UK residents nestled overseas. Popular spots include sunny locales like Spain and France. These properties often serve as holiday homes—a trend that has remained stable since 2010. Purchasing property abroad…
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Wealthy Homeowners Leverage Property Equity for Luxuries and Loans
A recent study by lifetime mortgage lender Pure Retirement has highlighted an intriguing trend in the property market: a significant 19% of all new equity release plans in the first quarter of this year involved properties valued at over £550,000. This statistic reveals how higher-end homeowners are increasingly tapping into their property’s equity, whether for…
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Boost Your State Pension – What You Need to Know About Delaying Your Claim
Many individuals approaching retirement age in the UK choose to delay their state pension claim. By doing this, they can significantly increase the payments they receive later in retirement. This strategic move might sound simple, but it comes with several nuances and changes over the years that you need to be aware of. Why Delay…
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Pensioners Pinched – The Triple Lock Loophole Slashing Expected Increases
This month, UK retirees were primed for a significant uplift in their state pensions, advertised as an 8.5% increase—one of the largest in recent history. Yet, findings from a new Money Mail investigation reveal a starkly different reality for the majority of pensioners. Shockingly, less than one-third of British pensioners will enjoy the full 8.5%…
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More Brits Using Equity Release for Dream Holidays and Swanky Cars
Recent data from Pure Retirement for the first quarter of 2024 reveals a shift in how people are choosing to use equity release. It appears that a significant portion of new customers are now tapping into their home equity not just for necessities, but for more aspirational purposes. Specifically, 20% of new equity release customers…
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Equity Release Trends and Future Potential
Despite a challenging economic climate, the potential for growth in the equity release sector remains strong, as highlighted by the industry’s key representative, the Equity Release Council. In recent years, particularly in 2022, the sector saw a record-breaking influx with £6.2 billion released. However, 2023 witnessed a significant drop in total lending to £2.61 billion,…
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Cutting Costs – Why More UK Households Are Choosing to Downsize
Recently, the UK housing market has seen a significant shift with more individuals and families opting to downsize their homes. This trend has been fueled by the need to manage soaring mortgage rates and the overall cost of living, pushing many to seek financial relief through smaller, more affordable living spaces. The Guardian tells the…
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Reclaim Your Forgotten Fortune – Free Service to Track Down Lost Pensions
It’s surprisingly easy to lose track of pension pots. For those who have a nagging feeling they’ve misplaced details of an old pension, there’s good news! Aviva has launched a new, completely free service aimed at helping savers find and manage these elusive funds. It’s a more common issue than many might think. Current estimates…