About Homewise | A Family Business Helping People Move Later in Life

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In 1971, Reg and Karen Neal saw that people over 60 had few options when it came to moving home — so they did something about it.

It started with helping their friend, John, find the right home for his retirement, and they didn't stop there.

More and more people needed options. By the 1980s they were renovating and building affordable homes across the south of England for people over 60 — and selling the first Lifetime Lease. The same legal protection our customers still rely on today, over 40 years on.

In the early 2000s, their sons Mark, Sean and Justin joined the business. Together they opened the model up to almost any property on the open market, built trusted partnerships with estate agents, and the Home for Life Plan we know today was born.

That same family runs Homewise now. The values haven't changed — we treat our customers the way we'd want our own parents treated. We talk honestly, and if the plan isn't right for someone, we say so. If it is the right option, we do everything we can to make it work.

Explore the Home for Life Plan

“Karen and I never dreamed we'd help so many people find the right home for retirement. The business has changed a lot over the years, but one thing hasn't: do what you can to help others.”

Reg Neal, Homewise Co-Founder

“Our values are at the core of our business. It's as simple today as it was from day one: Mum and Dad wanted to help a friend have a better retirement, and we continue that mission every day.”

Mark Neal, on behalf of the Neal family

Founded on family values

50+

years helping people move

£330m

worth of property purchased

£99m

saved by customers against market value

£52m

in previous loans & debts cleared

4.8/5

customer rating on Feefo

Behind every story and every property we've bought sits a team of dedicated experts. Today that's around 40 people — property specialists, customer support, data teams and more — all working to help you or your family find the right home for retirement.

We're proud to have helped customers save millions on their moves, clear debts, and enjoy the retirements they longed for.

Customers rate the service they receive as 'exceptional' and we've been awarded Gold in the Feefo Trusted Service Awards for two years running. That's recognition based entirely on reviews from people we've helped.

Take a moment to watch the short video and get to know the real people behind Homewise.

* Property purchase, debt value, and customer savings figures relate to purchases made between 2007-2024.
4.8 out of 5 independent service rating from verified Homewise customers via Feefo. All figures correct as at September 2024.

We believe you should be able to live in the home you want, in the place you want — without impossible budgets or crippling debt. And we believe that when you trust someone with one of the biggest decisions of your life, they should earn that trust every day.

That's why every customer gets independent legal advice before we proceed — no exceptions. It's why we encourage families to be involved from day one. And it's why we hold ourselves to a Code of Practice that keeps us accountable.

If something doesn't feel right at any point, we want to hear about it.

Read our Code of Practice

A family business since 1971

And still family-run.

“Karen and I never dreamed we'd help so many people find the right home for retirement. The business has changed a lot over the years, but one thing hasn't: do what you can to help others.”

“Our values are at the core of our business. It's as simple today as it was from day one: Mum and Dad wanted to help a friend have a better retirement, and we continue that mission every day.”

Founded on family values

What we believe

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