There can come a time in life when things start to get tougher, economically that is. If this happens when you are retired then one’s options become limited.

If you own your home then perhaps one of the options might be to downsize and release some of the value in your home, but this might not yield much spare capital to live on and it could also mean moving a significant distance away from where you have your circle of friends and your family base. 

One answer to this problem is what is known as Equity Release, this is where you stay put in your own home and utilise its value to give you cash now for you to spend or invest as you like, without you ever having to make any repayments. This arrangement comes with guarantees that you will always be able to live in your home or move to another house or nursing home and you still have complete security of tenure.

Often clients wish to pass on the home after their death and for most people this objective can still be achieved and in fact frequently more advantageously.

This is a lifetime mortgage or home reversion plan. To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration. There may be a fee for equity release advice. The precise amount of the fee will depend upon your circumstances but we estimate that it will be £500.

"On behalf of my parents and myself we would like to thank you for all your help and for giving them clear sounding advice. We will certainly recommend you, should anyone we know need a financial advisor as you kept them informed every step of the way."

MARYANN BIRCH