Who are Homewise?

50
years of experience
£308m
worth of property purchased
£92m
savings against property price
£48m
previous loans & debts cleared
4.8/5
fivestars-icon
independent customer rating
Neal_Family_History_Orange_Video_Img

Homewise is a family-run business and we've been helping people aged 60+ to find their ideal home for retirement in the 1970s.

Our dedicated team works closely with our customers and their families, helping to create their bespoke Home for Life Plan, enabling them to find the perfect property and create financial security too.

Moving home later in life can be a daunting prospect, but we're here to help every step of the way. From day one, we’ll always recommend inviting loved ones to join any discussions, so you and your parents can be sure the Home for Life Plan is the right choice for their needs.

* Property purchase, debt value, and customer savings figures relate to purchases made between 2007-2023.
4.8 out of 5 independent service rating from verified Homewise customers via Feefo. All figures correct as at March 2023.

Your questions answered

My parents have enquired, and I have questions about the Home for Life Plan, can I talk to you?

If you have questions about the Home for Life Plan and how it can help your parents, then we can help. If your parents have already made an enquiry, then they will have spoken with someone in our customer service department and been assigned a consultant. They will be happy to go through the plan with you, though they will be unable to talk about the specifics of your parents’ plan unless your parents have given us permission to share the details with you due to data protection regulations.

I want to enquire on behalf of my parents, who can I talk to?

If you have questions about the Home for Life Plan and how it can help your parents, please get in touch. If you would like more detailed information regarding the plan, then we would need to speak to your parents directly.

To get a general idea of how much the plan could boost your parents’ budget by, you can use our online calculator.

I want to be involved; can I attend the calls you have with my parents?

Homewise is a family-run business, and we treat our customers like family. That's why we know how important it is to have loved ones involved throughout the planning and moving process.

We always recommend that our customers invite their family to take part in the consultation to give you the opportunity to ask us any of the questions you may have about the Home for Life Plan and how it could help your parents.

Is the Home for Life Plan equity release?

Put simply, no, the Home for Life Plan is not equity release.

Equity Release is a type of mortgage which offers homeowners the opportunity to unlock funds within their current property, without moving to a new house.

The Home for Life Plan is a Lifetime Lease. We can only apply the agreement on the purchase of a new property. It’s not a mortgage or loan and cannot be applied to your current property.

We don’t offer any form of financial service such as a loan or mortgage. We provide an alternative option in that we help people of 60 and over to secure their next home for a one-off reduced saving with no repayments, rent or interest for their lifetime.

Can my parents use the Home for Life Plan to improve their current home?

The Home for Life Plan can only be applied to the purchase of a new property. It is not a mortgage or a loan and cannot be used to release equity from their current property. It helps people to secure their next home making a saving on the market price with no repayments, rent or interest for their lifetime. It cannot be applied to your parents’ current residence.

How much will my parents’ budget be boosted by?

Every Home for Life Plan is unique to the individual. The amount that your parents’ budget will be boosted by depends on a number of criteria including their age, personal circumstances, and property specifics. To get an idea of what your parents’ budget could be, try our online calculator, or get in touch with our team.

Can my parents leave an inheritance?

The Home for Life Plan is designed to be flexible enough to help your parents achieve their goals. For many people, guaranteeing an inheritance for their loved ones is a priority.

With the Home for Life Plan, your parents can create an early inheritance for loved ones to benefit from now, protect and safeguard anywhere between 0 and 50% of the future value of the property (and this is detailed within the Declaration of Trust document) - or both if they wish! 

Who chooses the property?

Your parents will choose the home that they will live in for their lifetime. They can select any traditionally built home available for sale on the open property market in England or Wales.

Are there any additional costs that my parents need to be aware of?

As with any other move, your parents will be responsible for paying any costs associated with moving. These costs include solicitors’ fees, removal services, and stamp duty.

Can my parents decorate their new home when they move in?

Yes, the house is theirs to live in for their lifetime and that means making it comfortable and decorating it how they want, whatever that may be.

Can my parents make structural changes to their new home when they move in?

If your parents decide that they’d like to add an extension to their kitchen, or perhaps a new conservatory, then they can. They will need to get permission, as well as getting any planning permission they need from their Local Planning Association.

Can my parents move if they have a Home for Life Plan?

Absolutely, the Home for Life Plan is completely portable. Should your parents decide that they wish to move, the plan will move with them.

They will need to cover all moving, sales and legal costs, but we can help them with every step of the moving process.

What happens if my parents decide they don’t want to go ahead with the Home for Life Plan?

If, at any time, for any reason, your parents decide that they don’t want to go ahead with the Home for Life Plan then they can get in touch with us and tell us they’ve changed their mind, it’s as simple as that.

My parents have enquired, and I have questions about the Home for Life Plan, can I talk to you?

If you have questions about the Home for Life Plan and how it can help your parents, then we can help. If your parents have already made an enquiry, then they will have spoken with someone in our customer service department and been assigned a consultant. They will be happy to go through the plan with you, though they will be unable to talk about the specifics of your parents’ plan unless your parents have given us permission to share the details with you due to data protection regulations.

I want to enquire on behalf of my parents, who can I talk to?

If you have questions about the Home for Life Plan and how it can help your parents, please get in touch. If you would like more detailed information regarding the plan, then we would need to speak to your parents directly.

To get a general idea of how much the plan could boost your parents’ budget by, you can use our online calculator.

I want to be involved; can I attend the calls you have with my parents?

Homewise is a family-run business, and we treat our customers like family. That's why we know how important it is to have loved ones involved throughout the planning and moving process.

We always recommend that our customers invite their family to take part in the consultation to give you the opportunity to ask us any of the questions you may have about the Home for Life Plan and how it could help your parents.

Can my parents leave an inheritance?

The Home for Life Plan is designed to be flexible enough to help your parents achieve their goals. For many people, guaranteeing an inheritance for their loved ones is a priority.

With the Home for Life Plan, your parents can create an early inheritance for loved ones to benefit from now, protect and safeguard anywhere between 0 and 50% of the future value of the property (and this is detailed within the Declaration of Trust document) - or both if they wish! 

Can my parents use the Home for Life Plan to improve their current home?

The Home for Life Plan can only be applied to the purchase of a new property. It is not a mortgage or a loan and cannot be used to release equity from their current property. It helps people to secure their next home making a saving on the market price with no repayments, rent or interest for their lifetime. It cannot be applied to your parents’ current residence.

Who chooses the property?

Your parents will choose the home that they will live in for their lifetime. They can select any traditionally built home available for sale on the open property market in England or Wales.

Are there any additional costs that my parents need to be aware of?

As with any other move, your parents will be responsible for paying any costs associated with moving. These costs include solicitors’ fees, removal services, and stamp duty.

Can my parents move if they have a Home for Life Plan?

Absolutely, the Home for Life Plan is completely portable. Should your parents decide that they wish to move, the plan will move with them.

They will need to cover all moving, sales and legal costs, but we can help them with every step of the moving process.

What happens if one of my parents passes away? Will the other have to move out?

If your parents took out the Home for Life Plan together, they are both protected by the Lifetime Lease. This means that if one of your parents sadly passes away, or has to go into long-term care, your other parent will be able to continue living in the property. The agreement will remain in place until they pass away or move into long-term care.

What happens if my parents move in with me later?

If your parents permanently leave their Home for Life property to live with you at a later date, then the plan will come to an end. If you have any questions about what happens when the Home for Life Plan comes to an end, please call our expert team and they will be able to help.

 

My parents have enquired, and I have questions about the Home for Life Plan, can I talk to you?

If you have questions about the Home for Life Plan and how it can help your parents, then we can help. If your parents have already made an enquiry, then they will have spoken with someone in our customer service department and been assigned a consultant. They will be happy to go through the plan with you, though they will be unable to talk about the specifics of your parents’ plan unless your parents have given us permission to share the details with you due to data protection regulations.

I want to enquire on behalf of my parents, who can I talk to?

If you have questions about the Home for Life Plan and how it can help your parents, please get in touch. If you would like more detailed information regarding the plan, then we would need to speak to your parents directly.

To get a general idea of how much the plan could boost your parents’ budget by, you can use our online calculator.

I want to be involved; can I attend the calls you have with my parents?

Homewise is a family-run business, and we treat our customers like family. That's why we know how important it is to have loved ones involved throughout the planning and moving process.

We always recommend that our customers invite their family to take part in the consultation to give you the opportunity to ask us any of the questions you may have about the Home for Life Plan and how it could help your parents.

Is the Home for Life Plan equity release?

Put simply, no, the Home for Life Plan is not equity release.

Equity Release is a type of mortgage which offers homeowners the opportunity to unlock funds within their current property, without moving to a new house.

The Home for Life Plan is a Lifetime Lease. We can only apply the agreement on the purchase of a new property. It’s not a mortgage or loan and cannot be applied to your current property.

We don’t offer any form of financial service such as a loan or mortgage. We provide an alternative option in that we help people of 60 and over to secure their next home for a one-off reduced saving with no repayments, rent or interest for their lifetime.

Can my parents use the Home for Life Plan to improve their current home?

The Home for Life Plan can only be applied to the purchase of a new property. It is not a mortgage or a loan and cannot be used to release equity from their current property. It helps people to secure their next home making a saving on the market price with no repayments, rent or interest for their lifetime. It cannot be applied to your parents’ current residence.

My parents have enquired, and I have questions about the Home for Life Plan, can I talk to you?

If you have questions about the Home for Life Plan and how it can help your parents, then we can help. If your parents have already made an enquiry, then they will have spoken with someone in our customer service department and been assigned a consultant. They will be happy to go through the plan with you, though they will be unable to talk about the specifics of your parents’ plan unless your parents have given us permission to share the details with you due to data protection regulations.

I want to enquire on behalf of my parents, who can I talk to?

If you have questions about the Home for Life Plan and how it can help your parents, please get in touch. If you would like more detailed information regarding the plan, then we would need to speak to your parents directly.

To get a general idea of how much the plan could boost your parents’ budget by, you can use our online calculator.

I want to be involved; can I attend the calls you have with my parents?

Homewise is a family-run business, and we treat our customers like family. That's why we know how important it is to have loved ones involved throughout the planning and moving process.

We always recommend that our customers invite their family to take part in the consultation to give you the opportunity to ask us any of the questions you may have about the Home for Life Plan and how it could help your parents.

Is the Home for Life Plan equity release?

Put simply, no, the Home for Life Plan is not equity release.

Equity Release is a type of mortgage which offers homeowners the opportunity to unlock funds within their current property, without moving to a new house.

The Home for Life Plan is a Lifetime Lease. We can only apply the agreement on the purchase of a new property. It’s not a mortgage or loan and cannot be applied to your current property.

We don’t offer any form of financial service such as a loan or mortgage. We provide an alternative option in that we help people of 60 and over to secure their next home for a one-off reduced saving with no repayments, rent or interest for their lifetime.

Can my parents use the Home for Life Plan to improve their current home?

The Home for Life Plan can only be applied to the purchase of a new property. It is not a mortgage or a loan and cannot be used to release equity from their current property. It helps people to secure their next home making a saving on the market price with no repayments, rent or interest for their lifetime. It cannot be applied to your parents’ current residence.

How much will my parents’ budget be boosted by?

Every Home for Life Plan is unique to the individual. The amount that your parents’ budget will be boosted by depends on a number of criteria including their age, personal circumstances, and property specifics. To get an idea of what your parents’ budget could be, try our online calculator, or get in touch with our team.

Can my parents leave an inheritance?

The Home for Life Plan is designed to be flexible enough to help your parents achieve their goals. For many people, guaranteeing an inheritance for their loved ones is a priority.

With the Home for Life Plan, your parents can create an early inheritance for loved ones to benefit from now, protect and safeguard anywhere between 0 and 50% of the future value of the property (and this is detailed within the Declaration of Trust document) - or both if they wish! 

What happens if my parents move in with me later?

If your parents permanently leave their Home for Life property to live with you at a later date, then the plan will come to an end. If you have any questions about what happens when the Home for Life Plan comes to an end, please call our expert team and they will be able to help.

 

Who chooses the property?

Your parents will choose the home that they will live in for their lifetime. They can select any traditionally built home available for sale on the open property market in England or Wales.

Can my parents decorate their new home when they move in?

Yes, the house is theirs to live in for their lifetime and that means making it comfortable and decorating it how they want, whatever that may be.

Can my parents make structural changes to their new home when they move in?

If your parents decide that they’d like to add an extension to their kitchen, or perhaps a new conservatory, then they can. They will need to get permission, as well as getting any planning permission they need from their Local Planning Association.

Are there any additional costs that my parents need to be aware of?

As with any other move, your parents will be responsible for paying any costs associated with moving. These costs include solicitors’ fees, removal services, and stamp duty.

What happens if one of my parents passes away? Will the other have to move out?

If your parents took out the Home for Life Plan together, they are both protected by the Lifetime Lease. This means that if one of your parents sadly passes away, or has to go into long-term care, your other parent will be able to continue living in the property. The agreement will remain in place until they pass away or move into long-term care.

Can my parents move if they have a Home for Life Plan?

Absolutely, the Home for Life Plan is completely portable. Should your parents decide that they wish to move, the plan will move with them.

They will need to cover all moving, sales and legal costs, but we can help them with every step of the moving process.

What happens if my parents decide they don’t want to go ahead with the Home for Life Plan?

If, at any time, for any reason, your parents decide that they don’t want to go ahead with the Home for Life Plan then they can get in touch with us and tell us they’ve changed their mind, it’s as simple as that.

Considering your options

Moving home is a big decision and for some moving in with family or receiving financial support from loved ones will be the right solution. For others, retaining independence is paramount.

If you and your parents are considering alternative options, it’s always best to keep the communication channels open and ensure all parties are aligned to the final agreement.

If you’re thinking that your loved ones could move in with you, it's important to discuss who owns the property. Who is legally entitled to live there? What happens if things change and someone living in the property needs to move or change jobs, or the arrangement doesn’t suit you all in years to come?

Are you considering offering financial support to buy a property? Whether outright or by sharing ownership, be sure to get the agreement formalised in writing so all parties are protected. What happens if your circumstances change, and you need the money back?

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Researching Homewise & the Home for Life Plan

Take a moment to explore the Homewise website and understand how your parents may benefit from a Home for Life Plan.

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Bespoke plan for ages 60 & over

There is no financial lending with a Home for Life Plan; it is not a mortgage, loan, or equity release scheme. Its an alternative option that could enable your parents to secure their ideal home for much less than the market value.
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Home for Life Plan benefits

With a Home for Life Plan your parents can live happily and securely in their dream home, rent-free and mortgage-free, for their lifetime. See how the plan compares to other options such as renting or equity release.

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Leaving an inheritance

Your parents will have the option to safeguard between 0% - 50% of the property's future value as a guaranteed inheritance if they wish. They may also like to free up funds now, to be able to gift an early inheritance to loved ones.
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Free property-finding service

Our expert team will support your parents throughout every stage of their move, including liaising with our nationwide network of agents to help them find and secure their ideal home. All as part of our free "Move Simply" service.

Read our brochure

Get an in-depth understanding of how the Home for Life Plan works and our complimentary Move Simply service. Plus, read real-life customer stories too.

Customer Reviews

We pride ourselves on the first-class service we provide but don't just take our word for it.
Take a moment to read what genuine customers have to say about their experience.

4.8/5

independent customer rating