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.

The top five zip codes with the largest shares of seriously underwater properties in the first quarter of 2023 were 65203 in Columbia, MO (68 percent of mortgaged homes were seriously underwater); 65202 in Columbia, MO (53.9 percent); 65201 in Columbia, MO (52.2 percent); 10570 in Pleasantville, NY (44.6 percent) and 10520 in Croton-on-Hudson, NY (42.6 percent).

Some mortgage brokers are paid in commission by the lender while others might charge a fixed fee There are also brokers who charge why equity release is a bad idea 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.

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