20 SENIOR LIFESTYLE 18 OCTOBER 2015


Retirement Planning & Property Continued from page 18


Unlock your home’s value Property prices have soared over the past 20 years. Consequently, many people have found themselves living in an asset that’s significantly grown in value. Tis means you could move into your new home with a lump sum and a boost to your existing savings. Before you head to the local travel agent to plan that trip of a lifetime, though, start by seeking


Downsizing statistics • 86% of the older generation are still living in a family-sized home, which is oſten unsuitable for their changing needs


• 48% of those people would consider downsizing


• 60% of those considering downsizing say it would be in order to enjoy life to the full in their older years


• 83% of those over 55 say that retirement gives you the freedom to do all the things you didn’t have time for before


• 75% say retirement means you can go away more and for longer


• 73% say they’re confident they will be financially secure and will be able to live the lifestyle they want in the future


Figures based on Audley research audleyretirement.co.uk


Auctions are a great way to find a good home for surplus items, at a good price Image: Getty


financial advice. Tere are a number of options to consider and you need to find the right one for you.


Going, going, gone Downsizing inevitably means having to part with a number of your possessions. Once you’ve figured out exactly what you’ll have room for in your new home, you’ll need to decide what to do with everything else. It can to be hard to part with


items that hold sentimental value, but by taking photos of them you


can keep their memory alive when you move. Auctions can be a great way to make some extra money and also ensure your belongings are going to a good home. Tey’re simple to find online or in a local newspaper or magazine and easy to get involved with. To make sure you achieve the


highest prices, it’s best to attend an auction that’s appropriate for the items you’re selling — an auction focused on furniture is the best place to sell your antique chest of drawers, for example.


Picture perfect Once you’ve found the ideal home, you can start on the more exiting tasks. Downsizing doesn’t mean you have to abandon everything you loved about your old property. Create a floor plan of your new home and start to think about how you want each room to look. Maybe there’s something you’ve always wanted to try but it wouldn’t have worked in your old property. Tinking about these things will help you imagine living in the space and makes it seem more real and manageable.


Senior Lifestyle recommends:


Bespoke retirement villages ERE Property Securing compelling property investment deals for its clients since 2004, ERE Property has one main aim: to bring secure buy-to-let property investment opportunities to its clients. ERE Property sets itself apart from its competitors by basing its business practice on trust and integrity. ereproperty.com


A smart way to move Hamro Plc APart Exchange specialist company, Hamro Plc has served the retirement housing sector for over 10 years. Operations manager Laura Dowsett says, “As a company, we have developed a system that enables us to purchase a retired persons home in three to four weeks. By providing a Part Exchange solution we make the purchase as smooth as possible.” hamro.co.uk


Exclusive gated developments Countryside Discover a gated collection of stunning homes created exclusively for those aged 55 and over. Te luxury homes have been beautifully designed and offer outstanding style and comfort within a neighbourly community. clivedenvillage.co.uk


Would your pension be better off invested in residential property?


So you’re nearing retirement and you’re


thinking, ‘What next?’ Perhaps you’ll take a long, well-earned holiday or brush up on your golf handicap — but will your pension be enough? With income from annuities falling more


than 70% over the past 15 years, it may be time to consider alternative investments. Residential property could be one such investment — but do you need the hassle of surveyors, solicitors and managing a buy-to-let property yourself? Pensioner Diane, 69, didn’t want the trouble,


although she still needed a regular income. “All


the hassle of managing a property


myself? I’m too lazy for that,” she said. In April, she started investing on


the residential investment platform Property Partner. Diane said, “Everything’s visible and I found


that very refreshing. It made me feel confident early on that this is an honest venture. I also like the website, which is very simple.” Diane now has more than £30,000 invested,


Capital at risk. This is a financial promotion by Property Partner™, which is the trading name of London House Exchange Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (No. 613499).


www.propertypartner.co


and has made an 8% profit in four months. “Te fact you can also get your money out


is very attractive,” she added. “It acts as a reassuring safety-valve.” Property Partner allows anyone to buy a


share in individual or multiple properties for as little or as much as they like.


Investors then receive a monthly rental


income and benefit from any capital growth in direct proportion to how much they own. Tere are more than 25 properties to choose


from, all hand-picked by property experts, and more are added each week. Since launching in January, more than


3,700 investors have crowdfunded £8.5m of buy-to-let properties and have received an annualised total return of 15%. Since 2001, residential property has


consistently delivered the highest returns of all major asset classes on a risk-adjusted basis,


according to the


Property Databank. Property Partner enables investors to sell


their shares on a so-called property stock exchange. More than £1m of re-sale shares have already been traded. To start your property portfolio today, visit


www.propertypartner.co and claim an exclusive £50 cashback* when you invest £1,000 using


code SL1050. Offer available until 08/11/15. *See Terms and Conditions at www.propertypartner.co/offer


Independent


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