Implications of Taking the Maximum Lump Sum from an Equity Release Calculator UK
To understand the implications of borrowing the maximum amount that the results an equity release mortgage calculator UK give you, it is necessary to understand what an equity release does, as well as to understand how borrowing more than you need can be potentially risky.
Although equity release plans have become much safer today than many years ago, there are potential equity release problems that everyone should be aware of before releasing equity. This must always be discussed and the dangers be highlighted before pressing the buttons of the equity release mortgage calculator UK tool.
One of the most common concerns or equity release problems that people have with equity release is that the scheme could potentially erode all the value of their property, thereby affecting any inheritance they may wish to leave behind. This can be a concern for some, but not for all & therefore it is the duty of your financial adviser to establish these steps with you.
Years ago, there was also the possibility of negative equity where the beneficiaries could have to end up paying the equity release provider due to a loan that had grown bigger than the equity in the house. Today, however, this is not a possibility as all equity release plans now come under the auspices of the Equity Release Council (formerly Safe Home Income Plans –SHIP) which means they come with a no negative equity guarantee. This is kind of indemnity policy for the lender which guarantees that the beneficiaries cannot end up owing more than the value of the property. The worst case scenario is that they will receive nothing if the mortgage balance is equal to or more than the value of the property.
An equity release calculator UK can help you find out the current maximum amount available in the market that you could be able to release from your property. As such, equity release calculators give you an idea of the maximum amount of money that you could release, which is not the same as the amount you necessarily should release!
Nonsensical reasons to release equity
Releasing the maximum equity from your property when you don’t really need all the money could result in one of the most common equity release problems – complete devaluation in the equity within your property. It will mean that if the money isn’t needed just yet it will probably sit in your bank account, earning next to no interest, while you will have to pay interest on the amount to the equity release lender! The average rate of interest on roll up equity release schemes today is around 6%, whilst even the best ISA rates are little over 3%. Therefore, taking the maximum release when not fully required, is poor financial planning.
A roll up equity release plan works on the principle of compound interest. This means that the interest charged on the balance is added to the principle amount and interest is charged on the combined amount, and so the cycle continues. This means that with interest rates of around 6%, the balance on your account could potentially double in about 11 years! Care & precise financial planning are important to gauge the sensible level of borrowing should these schemes be the best option for you.
Delay for as long as possible
With this factor in mind, age can also be an important consideration in how much you take & when. We have just seen the projected equity release calculation for a UK customer. Taking equity release at age 55 will have a potentially longer term to run based on life expectancy than someone of 80 years of age. Therefore, more caution should be exhibited when applying for equity release schemes at a younger retirement age. Preferably, anyone considering equity release at age 55 should try & delay if possible to age 60 before taking a release of equity.
Releasing the maximum that an equity release calculator UK shows you may be useful and necessary for some, but it also has its dangers and can lead to some common equity release problems and bad press!
As illustrated above, it could potentially increase the debt disproportionately, erode your estate and encroach on your beneficiary’s inheritance. It is important to fully understand all the implications of an equity release plan. A qualified equity release adviser can explain the terms and consequences of each option and help you make the right decision.
NB. Don’t be afraid to say ‘no’ if now isn’t the right time, or reason to do it.