Where to Find a Specialist Equity Release Solicitor In London
June 9th, 2014
As part of the equity release process, the Equity Release Council (formerly SHIP) laid down a number of principles that both lenders and solicitors must follow. By bringing consumer protection to the fore has helped stabilise and add a layer of confidence to the whole realm of how equity release schemes are perceived. …read more
How Can Equity Release Schemes Help London’s First Time Buyers?
May 19th, 2014
London’s housing sector is improving greatly. In the third quarter of 2013 a 25% increase was seen in housing growth. It was up a total of 42 per cent from the previous year. The last quarter showed even more of an upward trend in London and the UK. First time home buyers are not yet capable of buying a property without a mortgage. The average first time buyer had to spend 20% of their income on mortgage payments. It is an investment and the property market has supported purchases by these new owners. The downside is the down payment or deposit that’s required. This is where retirees, equity release, and tools such as equity release calculators come in handy. …read more
Will the London Property Market be Hit by the Mortgage Market Review (MMR)?
May 19th, 2014
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has now implemented the Mortgage Market Review (MMR). In fact, the Financial Services Authority began the process in 2009 after the subprime mortgage debacle. The idea of the review is to reform the mortgage market to ensure avoidance of a worldwide disaster like that of 2007. For many first time homebuyers it is making it more difficult for them to secure the down payment and get onto the property ladder whether it is in London or not. The good news is that many retirees, over 55s, are in London and they have significant equity in their homes. This equity can be released to help their children with the down payment they require. There are different equity releases such as interest only lifetime mortgages, impaired equity release schemes and drawdown lifetime mortgages. …read more