Homeowners Snub Downsizing In Favour Of Releasing Equity

Homeowners Snub Downsizing In Favour Of Releasing Equity

Almost a quarter of home owners are planning to use the equity in their homes to fund their care costs in later life.

24% of unretired home owners would prefer to use the equity in their homes than deplete their pension pot when looking to fund the costs associated with old age.

The research also indicated that fewer people are looking to downsize by choice and would prefer to remain in their homes indefinitely. 85% of unretired respondents would like to continue living in their current property, this figure has risen by 3% in the past year with many deterred by Brexit delays and political instability.

Whilst political uncertainty permeates throughout society, fewer people are looking to leave their homes, preferring to use the equity as opposed to other later life income streams.

In fact, confidence in pension funds seems to be dwindling in the modern world. With many assuming their pension would be unable to cover the cost of later life, under a third (32%) are reliant on this money, a figure which has fallen by 5% when compared with a year ago.

Many still remain confused as to how they will confront and approach later life spending with 24% unsure as to how they will fund their care in later life, increasing from 18% in 2018.

As society remains uncertain, people are looking to the money locked within their homes as a tangible solution. 40% of homeowners are likely to unlock money in their homes at some point in the future whilst 23% more homeowners used equity release in the second half of 2018 in comparison to the first half; a figure likely to improve in the future.

Alice Watson, Head of Marketing and Communications at Canada Life Home Finance, said:

“With the future of long-term care in the UK still not clear, people who view their wealth holistically are increasing their ability to fund later-life care options. These findings are a real vote of confidence in the home finance industry: consumers are clearly attracted to the flexibility and security offered by later life mortgages.

“We know how much people value being able to live in the comfort and familiarity of their home. When care provision is in question, the disruption and emotion of someone having to leave their home is best avoided if at all possible. With lifetime mortgages, homeowners can age in place, while accessing the cash that will allow them to fund care solutions for them or their loved ones.

“These findings are significant because they reflect the views of those soon to enter retirement, many of whom will be contemplating some of the challenges later life may bring. It is really important that people speak to an independent financial adviser when deciding whether to use equity release to pay for care costs.”

How important is equity release to UK society? Will this trend reduce the number of downsizers freeing up family homes in the future? 

Martin Parrin

Martin is a Senior Content Writer for Today’s Conveyancer, Today’s Wills and Probate, Today’s Legal Cyber Risk and Today's Family Lawyer Having qualified as a teacher, Martin previously worked as a Secondary English Teacher that responsible for Head of Communications. After recently returning to the North West from Guernsey in the Channel Islands, Martin has left teaching to start a career in writing and pursue his lifelong passion with the written word.

1 Comment

  • I downsized 2 years ago and can see the advantage of equity release. It avoids or reduces much conveyancing stress. This put me in a resuscitation unit

    Practitioners should read the Land Registry’s blog site for a better appreciation of the affliction The following is a current example where I have made a proposal for improvement.

    I would encourage readers to support this and a Government initiative to keep the consumer friendliness of home moving under continual review

    1 Original post
    The bungalow we are buying is having to go through a change in the title plan as there’s more land than on the current title deed! Our mortgage company want the exact title deed.
    Our seller has paid for a solicitor for his neighbours and we are currently at a point where the forms have been sent from both solicitors. How long can this take as our mortgage offer runs out on 3/10 and it’s been extended twice now! Help please as I’m disabled and need the bungalow ASAP not to mention we are homeless now! Lol Thank you

    2 My Comment to original poster
    Looks like this could be a bad case of poor conveyancing in the past creating stress in the present
    With the technology now available and estate agents being professionalised I see no reason why they should not be required to certify the extent of consistency between filed plan and land available before marketing
    The certificate should be transmitted instantly to a consistency team at LR who would attach a consistency rating to the title and publish a reconciliation plan to be sent automatically to all conveyancers who dealt with the property previously.
    Advertising etc should be required to state the consistency rating and an online contact point at LR
    Good luck

    3 Current position
    LR has answered several requests for news of progress promptly but awaits an application

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