This article was featured in the March 2022 Reflections Magazine, we are very pleased to have been featured, please read the full story below.
THE POSITIVE STORY OF LATERLIVING NOW!
Local independent, equity release specialist, Laterlivingnow!, has been proclaimed ‘Winner’ of the ‘Best Financial Adviser – 5 or fewer advisers’ category at the ‘Equity Release Awards 2022’, the ‘Oscars’ of the industry
HAVING been nominated for many awards, 2022 has already proved to be a landmark year in the continuing success story of Laterlivingnow!, as the only Equity Release specialist company based in Chesterfield and Derbyshire claimed ‘Best Financial Adviser – 5 or fewer advisers’ at the Equity Release Awards.
Simon Chalk, founder of Laterlivingnow!, adviser Chris South, and Head of Marketing Kaye Wallis, pictured, were delighted to receive the accolade at an awards ceremony in London in January. “This award is testament to the hard work, integrity, and expertise of our small privately owned firm,” said Kaye. “Our adviser-colleague Amanda Hunt wasn’t able to attend the awards unfortunately, but this huge recognition was very much a team effort. The judging panel were clearly impressed by the first-class service we offer our clients and our reputation for giving clear, appropriate advice and guidance.”
Simon is quick to emphasise that he doesn’t intend letting the company become too big for its boots. “We are small, independent of every lender and enjoy being so. The big national firms that advertise on TV and the internet are often promoting their own plans and simply cannot match us for personal service or choice.”
Customer delight is evidenced by 88 Google Reviews – each one being an impressive 5-star ***** rating, and 165 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5.0 on VouchedFor – the leading site for reviews of professional firms. This has helped Laterlivingnow! gain a listing in the Sunday Times ‘Top Rated Advisers 2022’ guide, due out in March.
EXTENSIVE TRAINING
The team push the boundaries of knowledge so that they are able to provide clients with the best possible advice, having successfully completed training as ‘Dementia Friends’ and ‘Friends against Scams’, and having passed qualifications in ‘Long-Term Care’ advice. All three advisers are members of the Equity Release Council, with Simon having helped to set the rules while he served on the Council’s Standards Board. He now sits on the Advisory Board to The Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA); the leading ‘not-for-profit’ organisation that connects people needing sound financial advice in retirement and later life, with appropriately qualified advisers.
“We believe that our small team possesses the best combination of experience, knowledge and skills to help guide people at what can be a critical point in their lives.”
Simon’s role at SOLLA led him to write content for the ‘Later Life Lending Advice Standard’ and he provides training to other advisers wanting to be specialists in this complex area. The ‘Later Life Lending Advice Standard’ is currently the highest possible recognition an Equity Release adviser can attain, and of course Simon would have been hugely embarrassed had he not been the first adviser to have passed the test himself!
As Simon said “more and more advisers and big brands are entering the equity release market, making it difficult for customers to know who to trust with such a big decision. Taking out a Lifetime Mortgage can affect entitlement to certain benefits and impact on future choice in paying for care. We believe that our small team possesses the best combination of experience, knowledge and skills to help guide people at what can be a critical point in their lives.”
INTEREST RATES REMAIN FAVOURABLE
Not being tied to any single equity release provider, Laterlivingnow! can access the ‘whole of market,’ helping source the most favourable plans from over 700 available today, and secure attractive fixed interest rates for life. With interest rates widely reported as due to rise, many homeowners over 55 are taking advantage by releasing equity now.
REASONS FOR RELEASING EQUITY
There are a whole host of good reasons for considering releasing equity on your property, with popular ones being consolidating debt, repaying a mortgage, inheritance tax planning, or paying for care fees. With inflation making everyone’s living costs rise, Laterlivingnow! has experienced an increase in enquiries from homeowners over 55 looking to cover day-to-day living expenses, or to help out family. The pandemic has led to people spending more time at home, encouraging them to make home improvements, extend living space, or adapting a room to become an office within the home.
Laterlivingnow! offers a FREE initial consultation to help homeowners decide if an equity release lifetime mortgage could be right for them, as it may not always be the best option.
With a choice of home visit, phone-call, or video-call (e.g., Zoom, WhatsApp, etc.), Laterlivingnow! can guide you through this important area, and of course you are welcome to invite along family or a trusted friend.
If you have any questions about equity release, please feel free to call Laterlivingnow! on 01246 202 571 or get in touch via the contact form.