Monday 29 June 2015

Beware - a Budget approaching !

The Budget the Chancellor will give on the 8th of July may have bad news for Higher Rate Taxpayers. There has been considerable discussion on whether he will limit tax relief on pensions to the Basic Rate (20%) tax relief. If you are a Higher Rate Taxpayer, you might want to consider making your pension contributions in this Tax Year sooner rather than later.

Tuesday 23 June 2015

WHY USE US?

We have over 30 years of experience with financial matters which has given us a great deal of expertise and know-how.



We seek to provide an efficient, professional and friendly service to all our clients.


Here are a few recent client comments:


“You are trustworthy and professional with clear explanations given. Thanks for your patience.”

Mr JG of East Grinstead




“Thank you for your help and attention, excellent as always.”

Mrs CC of Leicestershire


“Ever grateful for your prompt and helpful advice.”
 – Professor BHW of Oxford

“I needed someone I could trust.”
Mr GN of Turners Hill,West Sussex


“That’s brilliant. Can’t believe how quick you got this (mortgage offer) through.”
TM and DW of Crawley, West Sussex



















Monday 15 June 2015

REMORTGAGE RATE WAR

Lenders are still fighting for market share which means that interest rates are at their lowest levels ever. If you are on your lender’s standard variable rate, it is worth finding out what your options are. It could save you hundreds of pounds and, in some cases, even thousands of pounds. We would be happy to provide quotations without cost or obligation.


Thursday 11 June 2015

INTEREST-ONLY MORTGAGES AND EQUITY RELEASE

Interest-only mortgages were popular in past years as the monthly payments for such were extremely low.


However, in many cases the means for eventual repayment of the amount borrowed was not dealt with properly – leaving many with money still owing on their mortgage and a relatively short number of years in which to repay it.


For those over 55 there is now an option to secure an indefinite interest-only mortgage arrangement at a fixed rate for the life of the borrowing. This is a new development in the Equity Release marketplace. Previously the only option one had with a Life-Time Mortgage was to allow the interest to accumulate. The repayment of the interest and original amount borrowed would take place on the eventual sale of the property. Now, however, many providers are offering an option which allows those taking out a Life-Time Mortgage arrangement to make voluntary payments of interest, and even capital. Since these payments are voluntary, you can miss payments without penalty or even stop payments altogether. There are also no affordability requirements as the borrowing is based on age and not on income.



Note: this type of equity release is only available from age 55. At age 55 you can only take about 25% of property value. This rises to about 48% of property value for those in their 80s.

Contact us with any questions you have or for quotations.


















Monday 1 June 2015

NOT YET 55?

If you have not reached the age of 55, you will have all of this ahead of you, but it does lay out a pension future with many more choices.


Those who are employed and now part of the compulsory Automatic Enrolment Company Pensions will have the satisfaction of knowing that they will be able to eventually access the money they and
their employer put in as cash. In this way pensions become much more of a transparent, tax-effective
long term savings plan. Hopefully it will also mean that more people will save more in their pensions,
 know that they eventually will be able to cash it in – either all at once, or bit by bit.