What Is Equity Release and How Does It Function?

What Is Equity Release

Equity release is a financial term for a group of products that allow you to unlock the capital1 invested in your home.

It can be either a lifetime mortgage product or a home reversion scheme.

Learn More: What Is Equity Release?

Introduction to Equity Release Basics
How to Calculate Equity Release

How Does Equity Release Work?

Equity release allows homeowners over 55 to access the value tied up in their property as a lump sum or regular payments, while retaining the right to live in their home.

The loan, plus interest, is repaid when the home is sold.

Learn More: How Does Equity Release Work?

How Much Can You Unlock with Equity Release in 2024?

Estimate How Much You Could Access Through Equity Release in the UK With Our Free Calculator. Understand the Benefits and How to Interpret the Results of the Calculator.

See How Much You Can Release in Seconds

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  • Last Updated: 22 Mar 2024
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Did you know an equity release calculator (UK) could assist in determining how much you may be able to access from your home’s equity?

In the first three months of 2023, new equity release borrowers unlocked an average of £61,785 as the first withdrawal from their drawdown plan.1

Do you want to find out if you can do the same?

In This Article, You Will Discover:

     

    Our goal is to present an easy-to-understand overview of what these calculators are and how they are used, so you will be in a better position to make informed decisions.

    Every Investor is dedicated to maintaining the highest levels of accuracy and comprehensiveness. Our researchers have spent hundreds of hours researching the most recent equity release news, and our editorial team reviews, fact-checks, and updates all our content to ensure it is current, relevant, and passes stringent quality checks.

    Explore how to use the online calculator to obtain an approximation of the amount you could access…

    Equity Release Calculator Tool

    How Can an Equity Release Calculator Help You in 2024?

    In 2024, the amount you can unlock depends on your property’s value and your age.

    What Is an Equity Release Loan Calculator?

    It is a tool that can give you an idea of how much money you could get from your property.

    It does this by considering two kinds of plans: Lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans.

    The calculator helps you understand the potential value of your home equity and may serve as a starting point for discussions about whether equity release is a suitable option for you, considering both potential benefits and risks.

    Some online calculators offer instant results, while others may require input from a financial advisor.

    How Does It Work?

    An equity release repayment calculator provides a detailed breakdown of the amount you need to repay over time.

    It factors in the total loan amount, the interest rate, and the anticipated period of the loan.

    This tool is essential in helping you plan your finances by giving you a clear picture of future repayments.

    Understanding the Calculations Behind Equity Release in the UK

    Equity release calculations in the UK factor in your age, property value, and any outstanding mortgage to determine release amounts.

    How Is Equity Release Calculated in the UK?

    It is done by considering a number of factors, and different providers may use slightly different methods to decide how much you could borrow.

    These factors are usually taken into consideration:

    • Your age (and the age of any co-applicant).
    • The property’s value.
    • The type of equity release product selected.
    • Any health or lifestyle conditions you may have.

    With lifetime mortgages, the loan amount is usually determined by the homeowner’s age and property value, with older applicants to borrow more of their property’s value.

    With home reversion plans, on the other hand, the provider buys a portion of the property, and the percentage sold determines how much you will receive in return.

    How Does the Equity Release Drawdown Calculator Impact Your Release Plan?

    It allows you to plan your releases effectively.

    By using this calculator, you can see how much you can release over time, helping you manage your finances more efficiently.

    With the drawdown option, you can access funds as you need them, reducing the overall interest accrued on your release.

    This flexibility gives you peace of mind, knowing that you have access to funds when necessary while keeping your costs under control.

    How Is Interest Calculated in an Interest Only Equity Release Plan?

    The interest in an interest-only equity release plan is calculated on the amount borrowed and is paid monthly.

    Unlike traditional equity release plans, the loan amount remains constant as only the interest is paid.

    This arrangement can significantly affect the long-term cost and equity retention in your property.

    What Are the Calculations for Buy to Let Equity Release?

    Buy-to-let calculations are slightly different from standard schemes.

    These calculations take into account the property’s value and potential rental income, along with your age and health.

    It’s a unique blend that optimises the equity release amount for investment properties.

    How Does a Free Equity Release Calculator Work?

    It works by using a set of algorithms, incorporating the factors mentioned above, to estimate the potential amount of funds available through an equity release plan.

    The calculator then processes this data, applying the factors to industry-standard formulas and specific criteria set by equity release providers.

    Note:

    It is essential to note that the estimates provided by the online calculators serve as a guideline.

    The actual amount available through an equity release plan may vary depending on several factors.

    Fully understanding these factors can better equip you to make an informed decision.

    Why Use an Online Calculator?

    You may decide to use a free calculator as part of your decision-making process when exploring equity release options, as finding out how much you could borrow may help you gauge whether such a plan aligns with your financial goals and needs.

    Moreover, gaining this kind of preliminary understanding of your options can aid you in planning your financial future, ensuring you make the most of your assets.

    An online calculator can provide an approximate figure of potential equity release amounts, but remember that professional advice is crucial to fully understand the implications, risks, and benefits of such plans.

    What Personal Details Are Needed?

    No sensitive personal information is required for our calculator to provide an estimate of potential funds, in line with the GDPR.2

    We only need the following:

    • An approximate assessment of the value of your home.
    • If you currently have a mortgage, the total balance due.
    • Your contact information.

    What Determines the Maximum Amount You Can Release in Equity?

    The maximum amount you can release in equity is primarily determined by your property’s value and your age.

    Lenders also consider your health and lifestyle factors, as these can impact life expectancy and thus the loan duration.

    Understanding these factors helps you gauge how much equity you can feasibly release from your home.

    What Are the Benefits of Using a Home Equity Release Calculator?

    The benefits include receiving fast results and gaining a basic understanding of your future financial position.

    It can help you with:

    • Receiving initial estimates: These calculators provide a preliminary estimate of the potential funds available through the plan.
    • Make better-informed decisions: It could help you make a decision about pursuing equity release options and assessing their suitability.
    • Simplifying your financial planning: It may assist you in evaluating the feasibility of equity release plans as part of your financial strategy.
    • Save time: Quick results can help you compare different equity release products and providers.

    How to Navigate and Interpret Results 

    Navigating an equity release calculator involves inputting personal details to receive tailored results, which should be interpreted as part of a broader financial plan.

    How to Use Our Calculator

    To use our calculator, you will simply need to follow a few easy steps.

    What you need to do:

    • Input required information: Provide your age, property value, and mortgage information.
    • Submit the data: Click the “Calculate” button or equivalent to process the inputted information.
    • Review the estimate: Based on the provided data, the calculator will generate an estimated amount of potential funds available through an equity release plan.
    • Wait for an advisor to call you back: A financial advisor will give you a call back to discuss the results and help you decide whether to proceed.

    Understanding Your Results

    Understanding the results involves recognising that the result is an estimate and does not account for all potential factors or risks associated with equity release.

    What does that mean?

    For a more accurate quote, a home valuation and consultation with a financial advisor will be necessary, as a calculator can only provide initial estimates.

    What Are the Limitations of a Mortgage Equity Calculator?

    The limitations include it’s reliance on estimates, which may not accurately reflect the actual funds available through an equity release plan.

    Factors such as your individual circumstances, specific provider criteria, and market conditions can affect the final amount.

    Additionally, calculators may not cover all available equity release products or take into account potential drawbacks, such as the impacts on inheritance or means-tested benefits.

    What do I need to know?

    In order to obtain personalised advice and accurate assessments, it is essential to consult a qualified financial advisor or broker before pursuing an equity release plan.

    Other Calculators

    Common Questions About Equity Release Calculators

    This section addresses frequently asked queries, offering insights into how equity release calculators can inform your decision-making process

    What is the Difference Between an Equity Release Calculator and a Mortgage Calculator?

    Can I Use an Equity Release Calculator Without Personal Details?

    What Information Do I Need for an Equity Release Calculator?

    What Does an Equity Release Calculator Tell Me?

    How Accurate Is an Equity Release Calculator?

    Can an Equity Release Calculator Help Determine My Retirement Income?

    Concluding Thoughts on Using an Equity Release UK Calculator

    An equity release calculator can serve as a starting point when exploring equity release options.

    By providing an approximation of the potential funds available through equity release products, such as lifetime mortgages or home reversion plans, these calculators can help you make informed decisions about your financial future.

    However, consulting with a qualified financial advisor is essential to fully understand your circumstances and accurately assess the potential risks and benefits of equity release.

    It may be time to consider starting the equity release process by using an online calculator.

    See How Much You Can Release in Seconds

    Calculator - Main (Age, Prop Val & Phone)
    £100000
    £0£1500000

    Drag me

    53Years
    50Years95Years

    Drag me

    *Age of Youngest Homeowner
    Easy to Use & Very Fast
    • Easy to Use
    • Safe and Secure
    • Very Fast
    • Instant Results
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