If you are 55 or over, you can take out an equity release loan which lets you access the value locked up in your home. The good news is that well over 150,000 people have released equity since March 2020 2 , and the increase in popularity has provided vital insight into the companies you can trust, the companies you should avoid, and the companies that really stand out.

Since most equity releases are signed up by senior citizens, there's always that chance that they may be doing it for that struggling child, who may be in deep financial stress, or they may just want to help with one of the major loans people are usually stuck with; i.e. student debt, the large sum of cash provided by the Equity, may go a long way especially in these situations.

Some mortgage brokers are paid in commission by the lender while others might charge a fixed fee There are also brokers who charge equity release or mortgage an hourly rate as well as those who earn a percentage of the loan amount, with a fee of up to 1% being industry standard.

Some of the most common loan to value percentages of Virgin Money lifetime mortgages for over 60s, Zurich interest only mortgages for over 70s, Sainsburys interest only mortgages for people over 60, Coventry Building Society retirement mortgages over 60, Nottingham Building Society mortgages for over 60s and Progressive Building Society retirement mortgages over 70 are 45%, 55% and 70%.