Saturday, January 24, 2009

How An Equity Release Results In A More Comfortable Lifestyle

By Chris Channing

A leading new way to get an impressive sum of money, in which borrowers don't have to worry much about paying the sum back, is made possible through equity releases. An equity release has the astounding benefit of offering impressive sums of money for relatively little responsibility on the borrower's part.

The key benefit of an equity release is that they offer large amounts of money in return for a piece of property. The key here is that the borrower usually retains ownership of the property until his or her death, so the money may be enjoyed in the meantime. Because there is usually a variable amount of waiting time, most lenders like to make offers to those who are elderly or ill, although the healthy may apply.

The first benefit of an equity release is that it reduces the inheritance tax that one's descendants would otherwise have to pay. Less value in inheritance means less tax, so there is less to worry about as a result. Often times the lump sum given to the borrower is also passed down to descendants, who are more than happy to use the funds for funeral costs or other related fees. Different terms and benefits are available with different lenders.

There are some negative points to consider when obtaining an equity release. Most often, it means that anyone who would inherit the assets of the deceased will receive less than they would if the borrower had not gone through with an equity release. This holds true for charities, who will also receive less if they are to be given assets according to one's legal will. Weighing the benefits against the negative sides of an equity release with family members is always a good decision.

There are several different flavors of equity releases to keep in mind. The lifetime mortgage, for instance, is one of the most common. It allows for a loan to be secured against the borrower's home, which is then repaid upon death as the lender resells the property to recover lost capital. This method also allows for borrowers to keep the house ownership until death.

Home reversions are another popular means of obtaining the right solution to one's finances. It allows a third party to receive ownership of the property, whether part ownership or full. In return, the borrower receives a considerable sum of money. Most cases allow the home owner to still live on the property, up until time of death.

Final Thoughts

Obtaining an equity release is a relatively painless process- most of the work is in deciding on the options and how to handle finances upon death. If you think an equity release may be right for you, consider going to a local lender or go online to seek out the best offer for your situation. - 16069

About the Author: