When you own a home, your biggest asset isn’t just the roof over your head—it’s the equity, the portion of your home’s value you actually own after subtracting any outstanding mortgage. Equity release options, ways to turn that built-up home value into cash without selling your house are becoming more common, especially among UK homeowners over 55. You’re not borrowing money—you’re unlocking what’s already yours.
There are two main paths: lifetime mortgages, a loan secured against your home that you don’t repay until you die or move into long-term care, and home reversion plans, where you sell part or all of your home in exchange for a lump sum or regular payments. Both let you stay in your house, but they work differently. A lifetime mortgage lets you keep full ownership while borrowing against it—interest rolls up over time. A home reversion means giving up part of your ownership upfront, so your heirs get less when you pass. And then there’s remortgaging for cash, refinancing your existing mortgage to pull out equity as a lump sum, which is common if you still have a traditional mortgage. Each option has trade-offs in cost, control, and long-term impact.
People use equity release for all kinds of reasons: paying off debt, helping family, covering healthcare, or just making life more comfortable in retirement. But it’s not free money. Fees add up. Interest compounds. And you’re changing what’s left for your estate. That’s why knowing your options matters. Below, you’ll find real examples, hidden costs, and clear breakdowns of what each route actually looks like—no jargon, no fluff. Whether you’re considering a lifetime mortgage, thinking about remortgaging, or just wondering if home reversion is right for you, these posts give you the facts you need to decide.
Equity release lets homeowners over 55 unlock cash from their property without moving. Learn how lifetime mortgages work, what to watch out for, and how to avoid costly mistakes that could wipe out your inheritance.
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