What is equity release and how does it work?

April 24, 2021

Equity release offers homeowners nearing or within retirement to release funds from the value of their home to spend on things like holidays and travel, home renovations, and treating their kids and grandchildren. Here’s how it works.

What is equity release?

Equity release is a financial arrangement to help older homeowners turn equity in their homes into tax-free money that they can use as they like. The amount of ‘equity’ is the total market value of your home without any mortgage amounts that you haven’t yet paid off.

However, when you agree to an equity release you can access a percentage of this money whilst still retaining the ownership of your home.

How does it work?

Once you have found yourself a reputable equity release provider, they will then give you the option of one lump sum or an income whenever you choose in exchange for a percentage of the value of your home.

This can either be done through a lifetime mortgage or home reversion, where part of your home is sold but you are able to continue living there for as long as you wish, or until you need to go into a care facility or pass away.

The most popular form of equity release is known as a ‘lifetime mortgage’. Those wishing to opt for lifetime mortgage equity release must be over 55 years of age and own their own property.

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This is available in either a lump sum or drawdown lifetime mortgage, meaning that you will either receive a large amount of money in one go and only once, or smaller more regular payments whenever you request them.

You will have to pay interest on these, either monthly or when you sell your home. If you have a serious health condition, you might be able to qualify for an ‘enhanced lifetime mortgage’ which means that you can potentially borrow more or pay lower rates of interest.

What are the benefits?

The benefits of equity release are:

You’ll have money right away when you need it. This can be great for if you wish to travel or need to do major home renovations, or even if you just need extra help with living costs.
The cash you receive will be tax-free and you can spend it however you please.
You’ll still have ownership or part ownership of your home.
You won’t have to make monthly repayments unless you wish to.

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Does Police Have a Bias Against Motorcycle Riders?

No psychological studies are available to support the theory that police officers exhibit prejudice against motorcycle riders. However, regular riders are well aware of the fact that this bias does exist. The Origins of Motorcycle Bias One must only look to the media portrayals of motorcycle riders to understand the origins of bias against motorcycle riders. Many fictional forms of entertainment depict motorcycle riders as rebels who are not concerned with the conventions of society. This “bad boy” image likely plays a role in how others, including police officers, view motorcyclists. The mobility of motorcycles may also play a role in the bias some officers show against riders. Motorcycles are much more maneuverable in traffic than cars. Some riders are not shy about taking advantage of this capability. The Consequences of Bias Against Motorcycle Riders The bias police officers have against motorcycle riders can result in several consequences for the rider. First, there is the presumption of rider liability whenever a motorcycle is one of the vehicles involved in an accident. Secondly, motorcyclists often receive lower settlement offers from insurance adjusters after accidents. Even when a court decides that the other driver was at-fault in an accident, the motorcycle rider may receive less damage compensation from a jury than a driver in a car with similar injuries. Police bias against motorcycle riders can show itself through several false assumptions: Motorcyclists Are Difficult to See Police officers and other people sometimes assume that the small size of motorcycles makes it more difficult for the driver of another vehicle to see a rider. However, this argument is often illegitimate. Motorcycles are visible through rear and side mirrors like other vehicles. A large number of crashes blamed on the inability of drivers to see a motorcycle rider are front-accidents. These accidents happen when a car turns left in front of a motorcyclist without the right of way. Motorcycles are Loud Police officers and other motorists blame the loud sound of a motorcycle engine for contributing to an accident. This argument is problematic since a loud sound from a motorcycle would seem to call attention to its presence even if other motorists do not see the rider. Motorcyclists Enjoy Speeding Anyone who has spent any significant amount of time on American roads has seen a motorcycle rider traveling at high speeds. But most riders do not make it a habit to drive at unsafe speeds. One report shows that the average motorcycle is traveling at just over 20 miles per hour when an accident occurs. Only one in 1,000 motorcycle accidents involve a driver traveling faster than 85 miles per hour. Motorcyclists are Reckless Reckless is another unfair description often attached to motorcycle riders. In truth, a large percentage of motorcycle riders who experience accidents are young with little riding experience. More than nine out of ten of these riders also received no formal training regarding motorcycle safety. However, accidents involving motorcycle riders have much more to do with inexperience than reckless behavior. How Motorcycle Riders Can Protect Themselves From Bias Some actions will help motorcycle riders who have an accident or find it necessary to interact with police officers. Be Kind – This tip should go without saying, but it is a good idea to remain courteous when making contact with police officers. Wear a Helmet – A motorcycle helmet may save a rider’s life during an accident. Wearing a helmet is also a demonstration that the rider is concerned with safety. Ride Safely – The best thing a rider can do to combat the stereotypes associated with motorcycles is to not live up to them. Drivers should refrain from speeding, lane-splitting, and other reckless behaviors. The unfair bias against motorcyclists is an unfortunate fact of life for motorcycle enthusiasts. This bias is the result of several misconceptions and can result in problems for motorcycle riders. Fortunately, there are steps available for motorcyclists to avoid becoming the target of this bias.
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Common Challenges: 5 Difficulties Business Owners Face with Biometric Access Systems

If you’ve been thinking about implementing a fingerprint time clock or access control system, you’re likely aware of the many advantages of such technology. Biometrics can improve your business security, deliver more accurate time-keeping, and improve your employees’ user experience. As a savvy business owner, however, you’re probably also considering the drawbacks. To ensure you’re making a well-informed purchasing choice, we’ve broken down the most critical difficulties of biometric access systems below. The Costs Cost is one of the main reasons some business owners don’t immediately transition to biometric access systems – or any new tech, for that matter. A significant investment can sometimes be needed to set such systems up, and they can sometimes require businesses to upgrade other parts of their IT infrastructure to ensure compatibility. However, the costs can be manageable with a small amount of research and planning. You can also align with some of the industry’s most cost-effective and highly-regarded providers to ensure you’re making a wise financial decision. Concerns About Privacy It’s only natural for employees to be nervous about their privacy when faced with biometric access systems. After all, biometrics are converted into data, and that data could turn into a permanent digital record they don’t have any control. This concern can be a significant hurdle to overcome with some employees, but you have options to put their minds at ease. For example, many access control products come with tags and proximity cards. So hesitant employees and visitors might not need to use their fingerprints to access your building. Employees Not Being Onboard Change is hard. Employees get used to performing their job in a specific way and can become overwhelmed when processes transform. As beneficial as biometric access systems can be for employees, it’s not uncommon for them to put up a fight when they’re first installed. Fortunately, this is a minor hurdle to overcome. You can calm disgruntled employees early on by providing training sessions on using your new systems. You should also ensure they know you’re available for any queries or concerns. Back this support up by explaining the many benefits to your employees so they understand why you made the choice you did. The more transparent you are, the more open they might be to the idea of innovative new tech in the workplace. False Positives If you don’t purchase biometric access systems from a reputable provider, there might be a chance of false positives. These can sometimes happen when biometrics are stolen or when two or more people have similar faces. While rare, these issues can happen. Thankfully, you can significantly reduce the risk of false positives by only purchasing your new biometric access system from a company you know you can trust. Security Concerns While biometric access systems are far more secure than many other manual access types, they are not 100% hack-proof. Cybercriminals have still found ways to crack biometric systems and breach their databases. By being aware of this potential drawback, you’re in a strong position to stop it from affecting you. Align with leading suppliers who can guide you on how to keep your systems as secure as possible. You can also make sure all biometric data you store has adequate encryption. Biometric access systems can be a game-changer for business owners looking to streamline processes and bolster security measures. Now that you’re aware of the main drawbacks of this innovative tech, you can make an informed purchasing decision to benefit your business and employees.
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How to Choose the Best Party Dress

To look amazing, regardless of the occasion, you should choose the best party dresses for women. At the same time, choosing the perfect outfit is not an easy task. It is important to take into account many nuances, such as the type of figure, the set of colors, and the type of the event. We will tell you how to choose a party wear dress for women and amaze everyone around with your perfect image. The Perfect Length of a Party Dress? When choosing party dresses for women, there are several well-established rules to consider: Long, as well as floor-length dresses, are suitable for slender girls of medium and tall height. Maxi dress visually increases height and is considered the best option for ladies with a curvaceous figure. Dressing to the middle of the calf muscle is the choice for small girls with a low height. Short women’s gowns for parties emphasize slender legs. When choosing an evening dress, first of all, you need to consider the style. The outfit is a way to show feelings and intentions. Compliance with the standard selection rules (length, style, color) will allow you to create an ideal, memorable image at any age. At the same time, you should never forget about comfort when selecting women’s party gowns. Even if the dress fits well during the fitting, pay attention to the fabric. Some fabrics can be too stiff and not stretchy, which creates a feeling of pressure and leads to unpleasant chafing. How to Select the Color of the Party Dress? There are practically no restrictions in choosing colors for an evening dress. The only thing to consider is the brightness of the color. Pure saturated shades are suitable for girls. Ladies over 40 often look good in delicate colors with decorative elements. Today, stylists highlight the following trend colors: Red is the favorite color for strong and bright ladies who want to stand out among the guests of the event. Pink is good for women who want to attract attention due to the tenderness and purity of the shade. Ripe orange is used to create intrigue, as well as a good mood for yourself and others. Blue indigo is for lovers of cold colors, equally well suited to blondes and brunettes. Gray is for girls who love bright accessories but do not want to go too far with them in the image. Where to Buy a Stylish Evening Dress with Delivery? If you are looking for a stylish evening dress at a bargain price, we invite you to check the assortment of the Milla online store at – ItsMillaDress. They offer women’s evening dresses for every taste. You can buy a dress with shipping within the United States and with the possibility of delivery abroad.
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What is Handicap Betting?

Handicap, also known as Asian betting, is gaining a lot of popularity globally. This is attributed to the thrill associated with the challenge and many other factors, of course. Handicap betting applies to all kinds of sporting activities, and many players find the betting approach intricate. But, once you understand how it works, you’ll know why it keeps attracting more and more fans. What is handicap betting all about? Gambling sites like the BetGold casino offer various game sand sports. Gamblers frequent the casino to place bets on their favorite teams. All use different vetting strategies with a high probability of a win. A perfect example is handicap betting. What makes it unique? Handicap betting is a type of sports betting. It’s used in heated matches and is employed by bookies to even out sporting competitions. This applies when there’s differential strength between the opponents. It helps counter the perceived differences between the competitor’s abilities, and this is by leveling the playing field to offer better value odds. There are different types of Asian Handicap; these are; Full-goal handicap Half-goal handicap Quarter- goal-handicap What makes a handicap bet different? Spreads are common in sports such as American football and basketball. But, they are not applicable to soccer. In some cases, soccer matches end in draws with no clear winner. For this reason, when betting on a moneyline in soccer matches, you can always bet on a draw. How does handicap betting benefit players? Handicap betting increases winning prospects by 50%. In this type of betting, there’s no draw, and the outcomes then determine the winner. Moreover, you can win even when your team loses in the actual match. Besides, Asian handicap betting is about a team that defeats or exploits the handicap. How can you place handicap bets? Handicap betting is treated like wagering against the spread. Handicap bets work in a similar way to spread. In this type of betting, you place your bets at the beginning of a season. And this is based on a wide selection of odds featuring different handicaps across all the teams. The scratch handicap is, however, given to the league favorites. How can you place winning handicap bets? First of all, decide on your capital and don’t make adjustments to it. No matter how small your capital is, the most important thing is staying within your set budget. Moreover, know when to stop whenever everything doesn’t happen as planned. The idea here is to set a stop-loss point at an amount that you can afford to lose. A proven profitable system also goes a long way. It determines your winnings, but most players realize this too late. To win in handicap betting, learn from other winners, and acquire a great system. Conclusion Handicap betting benefits players in many ways. But, many gamblers still don’t understand how it works. To benefit from this type of betting, search online for more information and tips. You’ll begin to appreciate live betting more and wonder why you never used it on football matches before. Keep practicing and always play at a reliable betting site.
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What is equity release and how does it work?

What is equity release?

How does it work?

What are the benefits?

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