Katie Wilkinson - Equity Release Lifetime Mortgage Specialist

25/08/2026

My office assistant is definitely on strike today!

13/08/2026

People that are of the opinion that equity release makes them really nervous, there’s a good reason!
Some of the ‘old stories’ highlighted very real problems, with old products, that were recommended decades ago, but before the rules and regulation all changed for the better….

Today’s product are very different and were adapted significantly in order to solve the issues they had.
Rates are now fixed for life, you can make voluntary payments if you don’t want the interest to compound, you can repay the amount owed at any time, you can move the borrowing to an alternative property if you choose to move, advice from a suitability qualified advisor is required by law and a solicitor will also double protect you and check you understand the product being recommended.
Available plans should all meet Equity Release Council standards, meaning you would never owe more than your home sells for, provided the plan’s terms are met.
What hasn’t changed matters too, as interest still compounds if you choose not to make voluntary interest payments, and it still isn’t the right choice for some people, for example if you would prefer to downsize instead, so it’s important to know all your alternative options and the pros and cons of all of them, so that you can make an informed choice about whether it works best for you, and/or your family 😊

08/08/2026

A common question:

Is there tax payable on my equity release funds?

No! The equity you release from your home is tax free, whether you take it as a lump sum or on drawdown 😊

25/07/2026

Just 15% of Which? members considering downsizing in our survey said they had no concerns about making the move

24/07/2026

We answer frequently asked questions about the rule changes taking effect next year

28/06/2026

Worried about equity release myths?

We’ve all heard the scary stories, but the truth is very different. Modern equity release is one of the most tightly regulated financial products in the UK, designed to provide you with peace of mind through transparency and strong protections.

Here’s what you can really expect:
✅ You’ll remain the owner of your home.
✅ You’ll never owe more than your property’s value (thanks to the no negative equity guarantee).
✅ Fixed-for-life rates, so no sudden increases.
✅ Choice to make voluntary payments to reduce or stop interest compounding, but only if you want to.
✅ Flexibility to repay early or move house if you choose to.
✅ Clear terms, no hidden catches, you stay in control.

If you’d like straightforward, friendly advice on equity release in the South East, I’d be happy to talk it through with you.

📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: ⁨07970 398669⁩
https://www.vivaequityreleasesussex.co.uk

22/06/2026

Is Equity Release a ‘good’ idea?

This question is very personal and ultimately depends on a variety of factors, including:

Your age
Your health
Your assets
Your future plans
Your family

Equity release should be carefully considered, as like any financial product there are pros and cons, which may or may not apply to your circumstances.

Someone with no children might not be concerned about future inheritance planning.

Someone with low income might have different plans to somebody with a large income.

Trying to compare your finances with somebody else’s can be helpful, but it can also be quite harmful, especially if your priorities and future plans are completely different!

Speak to a whole of market advisor about what you want to achieve, so that we can guide you through options, any alternatives, and all your questions and concerns

Katie Wilkinson is a specialist equity release and later life mortgage adviser, helping homeowners aged 55+ unlock the value in their property with expert, impartial advice across the South East.

19/06/2026

A smoother buying and selling process? It’s definitely overdue, but will it be a success?

The reforms could also reduce unexpected and costly surprises

17/06/2026

“Will my property be valued at a lower level than we think it’s worth?”

This is a question that comes up a lot because an equity release product hinges on a successful valuation of a property to confirm it meets lending criteria, and an application requires an estimate of what the property is worth.
A RICS chartered surveyor is instructed to assess the property for lending purposes, and their valuation of the property can of course be different to what a homeowner thinks it’s worth, and can also be very different to what an estate agent thinks it would sell for on the open market.
Rightmove & Zoopla can sometimes be helpful in indicating what a home is worth, if there are plenty of comparable properties in the road which have sold in recent years, but sometimes its complete guesswork.
It’s important to try not to feel ‘insulted’ if a valuer assigns a value which you feel is ‘lowballing’ what your home is worth. As it’s important to remember that since these products are based primarily on property value instead of income and outgoings etc, the property is the lender’s collateral for lending, and the valued needs to assess the ‘true’ value of the bricks and mortar and location etc, which can be a challenge, but they are professionally qualified to carry out this requirement.
The property can be assigned a higher, lower or the same value as a customer/advisors prediction, so it’s important not to get attached to a particular value until they have confirmed one (unless you would prefer to sell and put the property on the market for no less than what you think it is ‘worth’ to you)!

15/06/2026

The annual cost of a comfortable retirement for a two-person household now costs £62,700.

Discover how much you'll need in retirement for a 'minimum', 'moderate' or 'comfortable' lifestyle.