There are some common misconceptions and myths about Homewise online, so take a moment to learn the truth about Homewise and the Home for Life Plan.
Myths
- Homewise own all the properties they list online
- Homewise is raising the market price of properties
- Properties advertised by Homewise are not available to people under 60
- Homewise’s Lifetime Lease is a scam
- When you pass away your family gets no inheritance with a Lifetime Lease
- Homewise’s Lifetime Lease is like equity release
- Homewise is listing properties without permission on Zoopla and Rightmove
- Homewise is not regulated by the FCA
Myth: Homewise own all the properties they list online
FACT: Homewise do not own any of the properties you see listed on property portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla.
Just as an estate agent doesn’t own the properties it advertises, Homewise is simply advertising a property for sale at a Lifetime Lease guide price for people aged 60 and over. Homewise has not purchased these properties to list. Our listings are FREE second listings offered to vendors who are listed with our partner estate agents. This listing offers vendors a way to potentially reach a new over-60s audience.
Are you searching for properties online through Rightmove and Zoopla? Did you know you can remove Homewise properties from your search results? Just filter out ‘retirement properties’ and our listings will be excluded from your results. You won’t miss any listings as the local agent selling the property will also advertise the property at the full market value, you’ll just see more relevant results for your search.
Myth: Homewise is raising the market price of properties
FACT: Homewise has no influence over the market value of property.
As with any property sale, the selling price is determined by the independent estate agent and the vendor. This is known as the market price. Homewise is unable to determine what price the vendor may or may not sell their property for. We simply apply a saving percentage to the market price the estate agent is advertising the property at to calculate the cost of the Lifetime Lease.
The online listings you see are advertised with a guide price for home movers over 60 years old looking to use our Home for Life Plan, this is how they purchase the Lifetime Lease from Homewise. This guide price shown is based on our average customer and your saving may be higher or lower than the advertised guide price.
Would you like to know what your saving could be? Try our quick calculator to see an instant estimate today!
Alternatively, you can speak to our Customer Account Team on 0808 115 1509 and they’ll calculate your bespoke quote over the phone.
Myth: Properties advertised by Homewise are not available to people under the age of 60
FACT: When you see a property on Rightmove or Zoopla being advertised by Homewise what you are seeing is a second sales listing for an existing property. We work with trusted partner estate agents around the country, the listings you are seeing from Homewise are complimentary listings offered to our partners’ vendors.
If you’re under 60 and interested in purchasing any of the properties you have seen advertised, they are available for sale at the full market price through the originating agent. If you contact them through the listing, they can help you to arrange viewings and provide you with more information about the property.
Myth: Homewise’s Lifetime Lease is a scam
FACT: The Home for Life Plan is a genuine alternative for the over 60s to help them secure a home for their lifetime. It is a Lifetime Lease agreement, which means the property will always your home and you can live in it, mortgage-free and rent-free, secure for your lifetime.
At its heart, Homewise is a family-run business that has been working in the over 60s property market for more than 50 years. Our values, ethos and Code of Practice are drawn from how we would like to see our own families treated. As such, we go to great lengths to ensure that your interests are protected.
Anyone considering the Home for Life Plan is always encouraged to involve family throughout the process, so that everyone involved is fully informed and happy with the plan.
Also, we insist that you seek independent legal advice. The Home for Life Plan contract requires your solicitor to sign a certificate confirming they have explained every part of the contract to you, and that you’re happy with the details before the agreement can be finalised. Without this, we will not exchange contracts with you.
There are pros and cons to the plan, and we understand it won’t be the right solution for everyone, but for those we do help it can make a big difference to their lives. Don’t just take it from us, hear what our customers have to say, and find out how we could help you retire happy.
If you would like to talk to us further for reassurance about the Home for Life Plan, simply contact our friendly team on
Myth: When you pass away your family gets no inheritance with a Lifetime Lease
FACT: When you buy a Lifetime Lease the home is secured for you, and your right to live there is protected at Land Registry. Ultimately, when the plan comes to an end, the property is sold and some, or all, of the property’s value comes back to us, however, that depends on how the plan is set up in the beginning.
When we calculate the boost to your budget to build your Home for Life Plan, the amount can depend on whether you choose to protect and safeguard any of the property's future resale value
If you’d like to know more about protecting your inheritance with Homewise, read our quick guide, or contact us directly, we’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Myth: Homewise’s Lifetime Lease is like equity release
FACT: The Home for Life Plan is not the same as equity release, it’s an alternative option for people looking to move home. We can only apply the Lifetime Lease agreement on the purchase of a new property. It’s not a mortgage or loan and cannot be applied to your current home.
Equity release is a type of mortgage where compound interest is applied and builds over time, and repayments are sometimes made. Here at Homewise, we help people secure their next home with a saving from the market price with no repayments, rent or interest for their lifetime. Our focus is helping people move home and have the security of a home they love for their retirement, without any financial burdens.
The Home for Life Plan is an alternative option available to people over the age of 60, helping them to secure a property for their lifetime.
Myth: Homewise is listing properties without permission on Zoopla and Rightmove
FACT: Homewise has partnered with a number of estate agents across the country and the listings that you are seeing on Rightmove and Zoopla are complimentary second listings that have been uploaded as part of this partnership.
The prices displayed are an example of the price that someone aged 60 or above may purchase a Home for Life Plan for, giving them the right to live in the property for their lifetime. The property itself would be purchased from the vendor for the full market value.
If you see your property listed under the Homewise banner and would like more information, please contact your estate agent.
Myth: Homewise not regulated by the FCA
FACT: This one is true. Homewise is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) but this is not because we’ve somehow avoided it!
As we provide property products and services rather than offering financial services such as loans, mortgages and equity release, we don’t come under the remit of the FCA.
We're experts in the Home for Life Plan though, and our Code of Practice has been set up to ensure honesty, clarity and professionalism at all times. We will always be open and honest when discussing the Home for Life Plan. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we work hard to support them throughout their move, not just by offering a boost to their moving budget to secure their dream home.
Try our quick online calculator and see how much your potential property budget could be. It’s a quick and simple tool you can use without any obligation.