Your friendly, independent equity release mortgage broker

Helping you choose an equity release plan that’s right for you, leaving you to enjoy your retirement

Hello, I’m John Whyte, Specialist Equity Release Broker in Sussex covering the whole of the UK.

I’ll help you choose an equity release plan that’s right for you, leaving you to enjoy your retirement.
I’ve prepared a handy guide to answer some FAQs but welcome you contact me so I can answer your questions personally. To understand the features and risks of your own lifetime mortgage, please
ask for a personalised illustration.

Equity release refers to a range of products that let you access the equity (cash) tied up in your home if you are over the age of 55. You can take the money you release as a lump sum or, in several smaller amounts or as a combination of both.

If you’re a home owner who is wishing to release some of the value of your own property, then you’ve come to the right place. Some retirees find themselves equity rich, but cash poor. Currently with the interest amount fixed at very low rates for life, now maybe a good time to release the equity locked up inside your home.

According to recent HM Land Registry figures, 2020/2021 recorded an annual price increase of 13.2%, with UK property now valued at an average of £265,668. In England, the annual rise is 13.3% with an average property value of £284,029. There were wide regional variations, with the North West experiencing the greatest annual price rise, up by 18.6%, while London uncharacteristically saw the lowest annual price growth with just 6.3%.

With continued capital growth in the housing market set to continue, now could be the perfect time for you to consider equity release.

How equity release works

1. Advice

Lets explore how much you could release

2. Search

We’ll find a product that suits your needs

3. Apply

Your application is made

4. Legal

An independent solicitor confirms your application

5. Complete

Your cash is unleashed

Get started using our Equity Release Calculator

John Stewart – Middlesborough,

Can highly recommend JOHN,he was first class through out are equity release.Everything was explained in a clear manner and if necessary John was happy to go over everything a second time..Always supportive throughout and always available to offer advice and encouragement.Was quick to react to all eventualities
A gentleman and myself and my wife are grateful for his help.

Katie – East Preston,

I first saw John in 2019, at that time we agreed that equity release was not for me, however after the covid pandemic my situation changed and I contacted him again, John takes great care to make sure everything is explained fully, I am very pleased with the service provided and confident with my choice.

Mr & Mrs Keene – London,

John was brilliant during all phases of our equity release process. Clear, supportive and above all : quick to react to all our various Queries.

Lorraine Peel – Littlehampton,

Always a pleasure working with John informative trustworthy patient I don’t think I could trust anybody else !

Richard Procter – Lancing,

From the very first meeting I knew that John would be on my team. He is thoroughly professional but with a light and approachable touch. I would recommend this man highly for his knowledge and expertise. He found us a lifetime mortgage deal when others had turned us away. I’ve already recommended him to my sister. Thank you, John, for all your hard work.

Lorraine Sharp,

I can highly recommend John Whyte 100% ….
He is patient, explains in full if you don’t understand he will make it simpler to understand. He will NOT leave you wondering what he was talking about. He was never ‘pushy’ in anyway in fact he was the other way making sure WE were happy with the transaction. John was very quick with replies and was always at the end of the phone. Because we are not really ‘techno bods’ everything was done the old fashioned way through the post or even hand delivered.I only wish more people were like John. Thank you

Mark Raeburn,

John Whyte was the only financial adviser who was able to source a company that was willing to provide equity release on my property due to its location. He was extremely easy to deal with, and was helpful and supportive at all times. He made the whole process straightforward, and even managed to find a solicitor that provided this service in my part of the UK.

Ann Griffin –,

I am so glad I contacted John Whyte to guide me through equity release. He made it a very straightforward process and ensured I had a good understanding of what I wanted to achieve and how to do it. Very professional and approachable and responsive. Thank you John I am very happy with the outcome. Highly recommend John.

Margaret Selby,

John is one of the most professional people that I have ever had the good fortune to meet. His attention to detail is outstanding and he always gives off his best. After being given some wrong advice by another company it took longer to sort out my business with John than it would the average person. This was not John’s fault. However with Johns help and diligence in guiding me through what was an absolute quagmire I managed to achieve my goal and I have gained confidence in myself to sort out problems. Thank you John for all your hard work in what was a very difficult case.

See All Testimonials

Types of Equity Release

Lifetime Mortgage

Take out a mortgage secured on your property provided it is your main residence, while retaining ownership.

Home Reversion Plan

You need to be aged 65+ to qualify for a Home Reversion Plan. You have the right to continue living in the property rent free until you pass away.

Equity release is a way to unlock the capital tied up in your home in one cash lump sum or in several smaller amounts, or as a combination of both. You can only get equity release if you own your home and are over the aged of 55.

An equity release broker is a completely independent intermediary for clients seeking to release equity from their property. An equity release broker offers market intelligence and acts as an agent for the customer, providing personalised advice. Equity release brokers make their money by charging a fee or commission for tailored equity release solutions.

There are costs involved with equity release. These are the fees for independent financial advice, the mortgage lenders charge and the property valuation or survey fee required to get a current market value of your property.

There is also the interest accumulated through lifetime mortgage plans, but this isn’t an immediate cost – it is rolled-up until the end of the loan (when you die), at which point it is payable by your estate.

No, you do not pay any direct tax on the money you receive from an equity release plan. It is not classed as a capital gain because you are borrowing money against your home. However, if you invest your tax-free cash in ISAs or other savings accounts, you may have to pay tax on any growth. Releasing equity from your house will reduce the value of your estate so it could actually reduce your Inheritance Tax bill when you die.

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Our Case Studies

Mr & Mrs B from Sussex

Aged 70 & 74. Property Value £165,000. An initial release of £26,400 for debt consolidation, minor home improvements, holidays for the year ahead and Birthday/Christmas spending on their family. Further (annual) sums have since been drawn to continue provision for the annual costs of holidays, birthdays and Christmas presents for their every growing family.

Mr & Mrs P from Hampshire

Aged 67 & 65, Property Value £300,000 outstanding mortgage of £56,000 with a term due to expiry, Other debts of £17,000, Total Monthly Cost of £540. Total Release of £74,500 to repay in full all debts and initial set up costs, interest to be serviced as equivalent monthly cost is lower at circa £400pm and capital ultimately repaid on death from the estate.

Mr & Mrs S from Guildford

Recently retired Mr & Mrs S had means of ‘paying’ interest and possibly even mortgage loan capital but they found that ‘normal’ mortgage lending was restricted. To fund renovations on their new property, the couple opted for a small £30,000 release, made on a value of approximately £330,000. They are now looking to release further funds to indulge their ‘bucket list’!

Senior couple planning their investments with financial adviser in living room

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Equity Release Sussex is a trading style of The Later Life Lending Network Limited, an Appointed Representative of The Right Mortgage Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Ref – 649443). Registered in England and Wales no. 09832887. Registered address: 70 St. Johns Close, Knowle, Solihull, England, B93 0NH.

For Independent Equity Release advice we do not charge any upfront fees however,
a fee of up to 1% of the total cash facility arranged is payable (subject to a typical minimum charge of £1,295) on completion for our service in relation to lifetime mortgage contracts plus commission from the lender.

The exact amount will depend on the complexity and work involved in your case and will be confirmed by way of a formal fee agreement.

For Independent Mortgage Advice we charge a fee of up to 1% of your mortgage amount payable (subject to a typical minimum charge of £295 payable on application & £300 on completion (£595 in total) plus commission from lender. The exact amount will depend on the complexity and work involved on your case and will be confirmed by way of a formal fee agreement.
To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration. Think carefully before securing other debts against your home.

The information contained in this website is subject to UK regulatory regime and is therefore intended for consumers based in the UK