Find a Lifetime Mortgage Adviser

If you are looking to find a lifetime mortgage adviser online we can help you compare all lifetime mortgage providers with free initial advice.

Request a free review with our experts at Later Life Finance.

Updated January 2024 -Author Paul Murphy 

Later Life Finance Limited. 

Table of Contents
Table of Contents

What are the benefits of working with an independent lifetime mortgage adviser?

If you’re considering releasing some of the equity in your home, obtaining independent lifetime mortgage advice is important to ensure you have a clear picture of all your options. 

There are more choices in 2024 for homeowners than ever before, with interest only lifetime mortgages becoming more popular as homeowners demand for later life mortgages grows. 

Our lifetime mortgage equity release calculator will help you get started with figures to understand how much equity you can release from your home

Knowing how much money you can borrow with a lifetime mortgage is one important factor, but understanding the most cost effective way to arrange the plan is equally important. 

Our expert advisers will research the entire lifetime mortgage market and explain the benefits of each provider. 

For example, a drawdown lifetime mortgage can provide a much more economical method of accessing equity than a lump sum plan. 

Arranging voluntary repayments based on your preferred budget can not only transform your finances, it can help preserve more equity for the future. 

Lifetime mortgage brokers near you: Finding an expert you can rely on

A good lifetime mortgage broker will provide you with detailed projections of costs, including interest. 

For example, arranging voluntary repayments based on your preferred budget can not only transform your finances, it can help preserve more equity for the future. 

Finding a lifetime mortgage broker near you is simple with Later Life Finance. We provide telephone, video call and face to face advice. 

Taking out a lifetime mortgage is a big step, which takes careful research and planning to ensure the selected route is suitable both in the current the longer-term when calculating how much equity can I release.

The old adage fail to plan, plan to fail is especially relevant when dealing with financial services, and lifetime mortgages. 

Dealing with genuine experts will help avoid pitfalls later down the line. 

Fully understanding the pros and cons of each option in order to make a balanced decision is one of the most important parts of the process when considering who the best equity release provider is for your requirements. 

The old adage fail to plan, plan to fail is especially relevant when dealing with financial services, and lifetime mortgages.

Dealing with genuine experts will help avoid pitfalls later down the line.

Is a lifetime mortgage a good idea?

Modern lifetime mortgages can be a good idea as long as you consider all your options with a qualified equity release adviser. 

Considerations of the alternative options is important, and discussing your plans with any beneficiaries is also advisable to ensure there are no suprises later down the line. 

Knowing whether a lifetime mortgage is a good idea is dependent on your personal circumstances, plans and goals for the future. 

For example, could you downsize instead, or use alternative assets first?

These are important questions which our experts at Later Life Finance will discuss with you to help you navigate the wide range of options available. 

Speak to our experts on

0800 2465228

Lifetime mortgage in London percentage by age infographic

Which banks offer lifetime mortgages?

Lifetime mortgage providers tend to be insurance and pension companies. 

Scottish Widows offer lifetime mortgages and the majority of the high street banks refer their customers to specialist lifetime mortgage brokers for expert advice on all your options. 

What are the pitfalls of a lifetime mortgage?

If you don’t make any repayments to the mortgage the interest compounds. 

The effect of compounding interest will erode the equity in your home over time. 

Modern lifetime mortgages allow voluntary repayments to avoid the effect of compound interest again your home. 

The other downsize to a lifetime mortgage can be the effect on means tested benefits, however this can be avoided by seeking expert advice with an equity release specialist. 

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  • Lifetime mortgages allow homeowners over 55 to borrow against your home with the option to make voluntary repayments to preserve more of your equity. (Payments are optional). 

Can you be refused a lifetime mortgage?

You could be refused a lifetime mortgage, but this is not as common as with conventional mortgages, which are based on income and affordability criteria. 

By dealing with a specialist equity release adviser you will understand the eligibility of lifetime mortgage providers. 

Can I sell my property with a lifetime mortgage?

You can still sell your home with a lifetime mortgage in place. You can move and port the mortgage or repay it early, depending on the lenders criteria. 

Our experts will help you navigate the options to ensure the scheme is ‘futureproof’ in terms of moving home and repaying the plan if this is important to you. 

How long does a lifetime mortgage take to arrange?

A lifetime mortgage application usually takes between 5 and 10 weeks in total.
 
The process will depend on whether you have an existing mortgage to repay, any title changes and how efficient your solicitor is.
 
Working with an efficient broker is also important, as they will keep on top of the whole process for you
 
Having an experienced expert managing your application will ensure the lending underwriters, solicitors and yourself are kept up to speed. 

The most popular reasons for finding a lifetime mortgage adviser in 2024

top reasons for equity release companies & percentages infographic

Do you pay monthly for a lifetime mortgage?

Lifetime mortgages allow voluntary monthly repayments to be made. 

Interest only lifetime mortgages have fixed monthly payments over an agreed term. 

The difference between a lifetime mortgage and a normal mortgage is you cannot default on a lifetime mortgage, which means they are more flexible and safer for older homeowners if you wish to reduce or stop the monthly payments you can do. 

Get your free lifetime mortgage calculation & book a call back

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What is the age limit for a lifetime mortgage?

Lifetime mortgages are available from age 50. There are no upper age limits once a lifetime mortgage is in place. 
At application stage, certain lenders have a maximum age of 90 years old. 

Who owns the property with a lifetime mortgage?

The homeowner retains full home ownership for life with a lifetime mortgage. 
On death or long term care, the property is normally sold to repay the mortgage plus any interest owing. Any residual balance is then paid to the homeowners estate. 

What are the different types of lifetime mortgages?

The two main types of Lifetime Mortgages are lump sum and drawdown.
 
The loan is secured against your house. You receive a one-time, tax-free, cash payment.
 
Interest only lifetime mortgages are available which allow interest payments to avoid or reduce compound interest being applied to help preserve more equity in your home.

Can a lifetime mortgage be paid off early?

Lifetime Mortgages are designed to last for your lifetime however they can be repaid early, subject to the lenders exit criteria.
 
Later Life Finance will review each plans exit criteria to source the most flexible solution based on your requirements. 
 
They are repaid when you (sole application) or, if you’re borrowing jointly, both of you die or move out of your home into long-term care. 
You can still move home and port the mortgage with you. 

Who offers the best lifetime mortgage?

The best lifetime mortgage depends on your requirements. 
You may prioritise flexibility to downsize over interest rates, for example. 
 
Providers offer various features, each of which needs to be fully explored and considered with a qualified adviser. 
 
Here is a list of lifetime mortgage providers:
 
  • LV= 
  • Legal and General
  • LiveMore
  • More2Life
  • OneFamily
  • Pure Retirement
  • Scottish Widows
  • Standard Life. 
  • Royal London
  • Canada Life
  • Aviva
  • Just

Is there a credit check for a lifetime mortgage?

As part of the application process for a lifetime mortgage, the lender may check your credit report.

Since lifetime mortgages do not have mandatory repayments, any missed payments on credit are not necessarily an issue for lending. 

If you have any defaults or CCJ’s on your credit agreements, the lender may require these to be settled

Any secured lending must be settled as part of the agreement as a lifetime mortgage is the first legal charge on the property. 

Book a free, no obligation discovery call with our expert lifetime mortgage advisers

Can I get a lifetime mortgage?

How do you qualify for a lifetime mortgage? Lets look at the criteria:

  1. Age: A common question is what is a lifetime mortgage for the over 60s. Most lifetime mortgage providers require borrowers to be aged 55 as a minimum. 

  2. Property Ownership: You must own a property, which will serve as the security for the lifetime mortgage company

  3. Property Value: The value of your property and the age of the younger homeowner will be a key factor in determining how much you can borrow. 

  4. Property Type: Different lenders have varying criteria regarding the types of properties they accept, standard construction residential houses or flats are acceptable. 

  5. Outstanding Mortgage: If you have an existing mortgage on the property, you need to repay it. You can use the funds from the lifetime mortgage to clear the existing mortgage on completion.

  6. Health and Lifestyle: Some lenders offer enhanced lifetime mortgages for individuals with certain health conditions or lifestyle factors that may impact life expectancy.

  7. Independent Financial Advice: It is essential to seek advice from an independent financial advisor who specialises in equity release and lifetime mortgages. Later Life Finance assess your specific circumstances and guide you on whether a lifetime mortgage is a suitable option for your needs.

What are the pitfalls of a lifetime mortgage?

What are the pitfalls of a lifetime mortgage to consider?

  1. A lifetime mortgage (unlike a regular mortgage) charges compound interest. This means If you don’t choose to repay the interest at regular intervals, the sum will compound and grow. This means at around 5 per cent interest, the amount you owe would double every 15 years due to the compound interest
  2. Means tested benefits- It’s crucial to check entitlement to any means tested benefits as these can be affected by having cash raised from a lifetime mortgage
  3. Inheritance-The amount you leave your beneficiaries will be reduced. This depends on whether you make voluntary repayments or not, and whether you take the cash as a large lump sum or drawdown payments. 
how much equity can i release from my home

Summary

Our expert lifetime mortgage advisers will review the whole market to source you the best deal. 

Our expert equity release advisers will provide detailed interest projections and illustrations for your consideration. 

Your adviser will check if an equity release product is suitable and explain how much equity you are eligible for and compare the market to ensure you secure the best solution. 

They will also explain how the lifetime mortgage interest may affect the remaining equity in your home and they should recommend you discuss your plans with any family members, if appropriate.

To find out how much equity you can borrow with a lifetime mortgage, request a call back for a detailed illustration. 

Lifetime mortgage FAQs

The amount you can release on a lifetime mortgage is usually between 20% and 50% of the home's valuation. This is based on the age of the youngest homeowner and the property type.
If you need to raise more money and have no remaining Drawdown (reserve) Facility, you may be able to take a Further Advance from your lifetime mortgage. This is additional borrowing on top of your existing lifetime mortgage and is subject to the valuation of your home and the balance on your lifetime mortgage.
Equity release companies who adhere to the Equity Release Council codes of conduct offer the option to transfer your lifetime mortgage to a new property if you decide to move. However, certain conditions must be met for the new property to be considered "suitable." A suitable property refers to one that is deemed marketable by the equity release company in the future. For instance, if the new property is located in a flood-prone area, the transfer of the lifetime mortgage may not be permitted. In the case of downsizing to a property of lesser value, you might be required to repay a portion of your lifetime mortgage to facilitate the transfer.
In the case of a lifetime mortgage, you generally do not need to make monthly repayments since the loan, along with the accumulated interest, is settled when your home is eventually sold. Your lifetime mortgage adviser will provide detailed projections of how much you will pay back based on whether you opt to make payments or not.
In the event of you passing away shortly after obtaining a lifetime mortgage, the interest accrued would not have significantly accumulated, resulting in a smaller growth of the debt. If no other homeowner is listed on the lifetime mortgage, the lender requires the mortgage to be settled within 12 months of you passing away. The executors of your will sell the property and utilise the proceeds to settle the debt. The beneficiaries of your estate may opt pay off the debt using cash or a new mortgage and retain ownership of the property. This will depend on factors including your wishes set out in your will, and on whether the property is to be retained or sold, with any remaining equity divided by your beneficiaries. 
Equity release lenders who are a member of the Equity Release Council provide a no-negative equity guarantee. This ensures you will never be required to repay more than the proceeds from the sale of your home to settle the debt. In other words, the lender cannot pursue you for any shortfall between the debt amount and the sale proceeds. This protection is made possible by the no negative equity guarantee, which is upheld by all members of the Equity Release Council. According to this guarantee, the lender is strictly limited to requesting only 100% of the sale proceeds as repayment. They are not permitted to seek additional payment from you, your estate, or your estate beneficiaries.
A typical rate for a lifetime mortgage typically falls between 5.9% and 7%. That said, your rate may be different depending on factors like your loan-to-value ratio and the features included in your plan. It’s important to compare the features of different plans to find the one that best fits your needs.
Lifetime mortgages come with a few risks, such as the possibility of owing more than the value of your home due to accumulated interest. They also require monthly fees and can significantly reduce the amount of inheritance you can pass on to family members. Ultimately, it’s important to consider all of these factors when deciding if a lifetime mortgage is the right choice for you.
Lifetime mortgage interest rates are typically based on your age, the amount of money you need to borrow, and the value of your property. Generally speaking, the older you are and the less you borrow, the lower the rate you can expect. Drawdown lifetime mortgages have interest rates set at the time of further borrowing, whereas the initial lump sum is determined at the time of arranging the plan. So be sure to research what’s out there before making a decision.
Yes, you can pay off a lifetime mortgage early, but there may be fees associated with doing so. Providers have varying levels of early repayment charges which your equity release adviser will discuss with you to ensure you have access to all your options and understand the features and charges. It is best to check with your provider before you decide on the repayment plan.
Lifetime mortgages come in several forms, including lump sum, drawdown and interest-only plans. Each offers different rates and repayment arrangements, so your adviser can tailor the mortgage to meet your needs. Later Life Finance provides access to the whole lifetime mortgage market. We will explain the features, costs and points to consider of each option. This will help you make a balanced decision on the right solution for you.
You can repay an interest-only mortgage with an equity release plan. Lifetime mortgages are the most popular form of equity release and allow optional repayments of interest charges, if you wish. Since monthly repayments are voluntary with a lifetime mortgage, your home is not at risk of repossession if you do not maintain monthly payments.Therefore these plans can be more suitable into retirement years.
An interest-only lifetime mortgage is a type of equity release plan where you can pay the interest off on a monthly basis. This avoids compound interest being added which stops the loan from increasing. This type of mortgage is popular for homeowners who want to maintain equity in the home for inheritance or downsizing purposes.