Unlock the Value Locked in Your Home
Search Equity Release helps UK homeowners aged 55+ understand and access the wealth in their property. No pressure, no jargon, just honest advice from Craig.
- Get a personalised quote from a fully approved equity release adviser
- Compare top offers from the UK's most trusted providers
- Free, no-obligation advice with no pushy sales talk
- Understand every step with clear, jargon-free guidance from start to finish
20+ UK Lenders. One Adviser. Your Best Outcome.
We compare the whole market, so you don't have to.
Independently accredited. Fully regulated. FCA No. 952887.
Welcome to Search Equity Release, award winning specialists in Equity Release advice and Later Life Lending.
Unlock the potential of your property with specialist Later Life lending guidance from our award winning advisors.
Honoured with the prestigious equity release award in 2018, Craig has successfully helped thousands of homeowners understand whether a Later Life lending option is the correct route.
This advice has assisted clients in protecting their future whilst making the correct decisions on their finances.
Trust in our resident specialist to guide you towards a secure and fulfilling future.
All our initial advice is completely free of charge.
My approach is simple: understand your situation fully, then find the very best option for you. If equity release is not right for you, I will tell you that too.
What is Equity Release & Later Life Lending?
If you prefer to stay in your home, equity release offers a way to access tax-free funds tied up in your property.
The equity in your home is the remaining value after paying off any existing mortgage and other secured debts.
Provided you meet the eligibility criteria set by the provider, the money you release can be used for a wide range of purposes, such as taking a holiday or supporting a younger family member's university education.
How Does Equity Release Work?
Equity release is a tool available to anyone over the age of 50. There are different mechanisms of releasing equity based on age and requirements. We have options to provide Retirement Interest Only mortgages, Lifetime mortgages and we work closely with specialists in the Home reversion sector.
Initial Consultation
We start with a free, no-obligation conversation to understand your situation, goals and what you're hoping to achieve. No forms, no pressure, just an honest conversation.
Property Valuation
Once we understand your needs, we arrange an independent valuation of your property. This gives us the information needed to identify the right range of options for you.
Lender Research
As a whole-of-market adviser, Craig searches over 50 lenders to find the most suitable product for your circumstances, comparing rates, features and flexibility.
Application
Once you've chosen your preferred option, we handle the application on your behalf, liaising with the lender and your solicitor to keep everything moving smoothly.
Completion
Funds are released to you. Our service does not end there. Craig remains available to answer questions and review your plan as your circumstances change over time.
Why Do Clients Utilise Later Life Lending?
Pay off an existing mortgage
I frequently assist clients that have reached the end of their mortgage term, and have no other option to consider other than sale, but they wish to remain in their home. In some cases, I also find that our clients are unable to afford the mortgage on their home, there are no other cheaper mortgage options and they do not wish to move. In this scenario, a later life borrowing option can be a suitable option.
Home improvements
Home improvements are one of the most popular reasons for releasing funds. Whether it's a new kitchen, bathroom, conservatory, or making the home more accessible and comfortable for later life, we help clients invest in the place they love most.
Gifts to family
Some of our clients have utilised Later life lending to reduce their inheritance tax bill. To understand how this would work for you, I can provide a referral to an inheritance tax specialist. Releasing property wealth and gifting to family can be a powerful planning tool.
Purchasing a new home
I recently helped a lady of 70 upsize her property so that she had more room for family get togethers. I've also supported many of these cases and have a huge amount of experience in this type of transaction.
Clearing debts
Many clients use funds to clear existing debts, credit cards, or loans, reducing their monthly outgoings and improving their financial wellbeing in retirement.
Purchase a holiday home or caravan
You can use these funds to purchase a holiday home or maintain a caravan in your favourite place.
Supplementing retirement income
For clients whose pension income doesn't stretch as far as they'd hoped, releasing equity provides a way to maintain the lifestyle they've worked hard to achieve.
Care needs
Some of our clients have more complex care needs. With careful planning, a later life lending solution has allowed clients to remain in the comfort of their own home, with their own pension care.
New car & medical reasons
For some of our clients, a new car is high up on the list. We recently had a lady jump the NHS queue to have her new knees completed and now she is already up and about enjoying life again.
Equity release can come with potential risks and consequences, professional advice should always be sought before proceeding.
Am I Eligible for Later Life Lending?
To be eligible to release equity from your home, you simply need to fulfil the criteria below:
- Over 50 years old
- UK homeowner
- Property valued at least £70,000
- Some options will need us to check your income with the provider
Equity release options, such as lifetime mortgages, home reversions, or RIO mortgages, are loans secured against your home, which reduce the equity in your property. To understand the specific features and potential risks, request a personalised illustration from our specialist later life lending adviser.
Case Studies
Here's an illustration of Craig's advice which saved his clients many thousands of pounds over the term of their new mortgage.
A recent client enquiry: the clients were 63 and had an IVA in the last 6 years. This situation can make borrowing difficult to obtain in the traditional mortgage sector. The clients had a property valued at £400,000 and an £80,000 interest only mortgage with a subprime lender called Landmark. The current lender had been very difficult to contact with no support provided to the clients.
Mr had income reductions due to changes within his limited company income. This can make borrowing difficult to obtain in the traditional mortgage sector. Mrs had good solid income through her limited company and would pass the lenders affordability checks.
The clients initially requested a lifetime mortgage option having had issues with their previous mortgage applications, they felt after exhausting all their options this was the only route for them. They were happy to look at the lifetime mortgage route as they felt it was their easiest option with zero checks on income and no issues from the lender regarding the IVA situation.
I personally assessed the case with no charge to our client and found a traditional interest only mortgage on an 11-year mortgage term with a fixed rate at 4.5% for 5 years, allowing them to take advantage of future interest rate decreases and to make future repayments from an inheritance with lower early redemption charges.
The new lender interest rate offer is a massive reduction from the current 9.9% interest rate deal they currently pay to Landmark and reduces the client's monthly payments from £660 per month to £300 per month, now allowing them to reduce their capital amount as well as repaying their interest.
The outcome of my advice was that Equity Release and a lifetime mortgage was not suitable for our client, and I found them a suitable traditional mortgage solution. This advice helped them retain future flexibility over their financial options and created a cheaper cost of borrowing.
Common Questions
Everything you need to know, answered honestly.
Ready to Find Out What Your Home Could Release?
Free advice. No obligation. No completion, no fee.