Key retirement reviews (+3 useful tips)

Who are Key retirement?

Key retirement is an equity release advisory company. They also assist in planning other financial affairs you may have which to do with your post-retirement life. This could be wills, annuities or even mortgages.

Key retirement reviews

When searching for key retirement reviews we found a lot of good reviews which reflected how key retirement deals with their consumers and what you can expect if you deal with key retirement.

You can view key retirement reviews on their Trustpilot page here.

I have also added some Key retirement reviews which I found interesting below:

5 stars

“Excellent service from start to finish…

Excellent service from start to finish – Colin was brilliant and good service from Joseph Neil over the wills etc – can’t fault”

5 stars

“ When I first considered equity release

When I first considered equity release, I received quotes from & spoke to the reps from other companies, one chap seemed disinterested in the product he was attempting to sell.

None were a touch on the professional service I received from Key.

Keys Steve Crawshaw explained things thoroughly even going back over some points with my daughter & I. Being friendly & very knowledgeable but at all times professional.

All paperwork was accurate & provided timely, I was amazed at the speed the process was completed.

I now have spare funds to complete some home improvements for my advancing years.

I would like to say a Big Thank you to Steve and all at Key for a pleasant quick process. I would recommend their service to everyone that is considering equity release.

“

5 stars

“ Extremely satisfied, professional service. …

Extremely satisfied from the 1st enquiry till the end, every department were very professional. Excellent advice given.

Very good time line 8 weeks, which was extremely quick, made the whole process of a difficult problem, easy.

Highly recommended to anyone.

“

5 stars

“ I would like to say a big thank you to…

I would like to say a big thank you to Colin Le Maitre and the team at

key retirement.

At first we were unsure which was the best option to take to raise capital.

Colin was very professional and helped us every step of the way to make the right choice of equity release.

I would recommend anyone who is considering equity release to speak to key retirement.

“

5 stars

“ The interview with David Lobb was…

The interview with David Lobb was logical and informative. Every question was answered clearly and explained in detail. I was an R.A.F.Fighter Pilot flying Jets therefore my questions and answers looked at what my life span would be if I got things wrong. I thought David Lobb’s control of this quite difficult process was excellent and all our questions were answered with good sense. The whole process was completed within the original 8 weeks as he had predicted! Thank you very much David.

CC & LA

“

5 stars

“ Key Retirement were so helpful

Key Retirement were so helpful and efficient dealing with us during the whole process releasing funds from our property. Amanda Moore especially. We had a few issues with our existing mortgage supplier through the process which were nothing to do with Amanda or Key but they ‘held our hands’ and could not have been more professional.

Thank you for your help and we would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone who asks.

Now we can further enjoy our lives and do things we only ever dreamt about.

“

5 stars

“ So friendly and professional

From the initial telephone enquiry to the release of funds we had the best service anyone could wish for. The lady who dealt with the initial enquiry was called Yasmine and she was so charming and helpful I had a good feeling. We then had an initial meeting with Lena Mistry who walked us through everything and was so patient explaining what the whole thing entailed. We had a couple of other appointments with Lena and she was on hand at all times for any enquiries. Funds were released within 5-6 weeks which we thought was very fast. The whole thing from start to finish was dealt with in a friendly professional matter and I would not hesitate to recommend Key to anyone who is looking to release equity.

“

5 stars

“Was uncertain if we were doing the…

Was uncertain if we were doing the right thing in releasing cash from our house, as we’d heard of several friends who had run into problems of some sort. (They were not with Key). I chose Key because they are independent brokers. We had a prompt reply, and a swift follow-up appointment. The gentleman who came couldn’t have been more helpful and I’m sure must have got tired of answering so many questions! There was no pressurised selling and he explained exactly what would happen, when, and what expenditure we’d have to pay. Key kept in contact throughout to see if all was going to plan. Very impressed and would recommend highly.”

5 stars

“Release equity

I feel you have all been excellent from the start . Especially David Walls. He was reassuring and very clear at explaining everything and always at the end of a phone . Paul the solicitor also put my mind at rest through this difficult decision. The whole of your team have been very helpful and I would highly recommend you . By the way love the hamper .”

As you can see all of the key reitement reviews are 5 stars.

Is equity release a safe option?

Whether you consider equity release a safe option you will depend on your financial circumstances and this is why financial advice may be necessary. You may want to consider other options if you are concerned about how safe equity release is. Most potential equity release borrowers worry about negative equity but you will be glad to know that most equity release providers are now members of the equity release council which means they will offer a no negative equity guarantee with their equity release product.

This means you will never ow more on the equity release than your property is worth.

What are the disadvantages of equity release?

Equity release isn’t all great. Some of the disadvantages of equity release include the fact that you may not have much to leave to your family as an inheritance

The interest on equity release products could also add up really quick as it is compound interest, hence interest being charged on previously charged interest plus any balance outstanding. You could, of course, reduce the effect of this by making monthly repayments if your equity release product allows you to.

The drawdowns you make from your equity release product may also be subject to income tax.

What happens with equity release when you die?

When you die your home will be resold by the equity release provider in order to recoup what is owed to them. Once the balance is paid off, any remaining monies will be given to your estate.

The equity release provider may also allow your family to pay off the balance if they intend to keep hold of the property and continue residing in it.

Do you have to be retired to get equity release?

No, you don’t have to be retired to get equity release.

As long as you are over 55 and meet the equity release providers lending requirement you could get an equity release product.

Use a mortgage broker for your mortgage in principle

You may want to use an independent mortgage broker to help you get a mortgage on your new home.

Mortgage brokers are important as they can access mortgage products from across the whole of the market in some cases.

This could be over 11,000 mortgage products. This may have some advantages rather than going directly to a mortgage lender.

A mortgage broker will look to understand your financial circumstances and then provide recommendations on which mortgage products may be suitable for you based on your mortgage affordability.

After giving you these mortgage recommendations, most mortgage brokers will seek your consent to apply for a mortgage in principle. 

This will allow you to shop for your home as more estate agents and sellers may take you seriously and it will also give you confidence that your mortgage is indeed a possibility before you make a full mortgage application. 

Once you have found a home you want to buy and are satisfied with the mortgage offer for your mortgage then the mortgage broker will then look to get you a mortgage offer.

This will come with a key facts illustration document that details the features of your mortgage including how much you will pay per month.

It will also contain information on if there are any limits such as early repayment fees, or annual overpayment limits.

If you are happy with everything you can then go on to secure your mortgage with the help of a conveyancer.

Your conveyancer will manage the legal searches on the property to ensure there aren’t any issues with it.

They will oversee the sales agreement to ensure it is in your best interest, they will manage the transfer of mortgage funds, exchange contracts with the seller or their conveyancer, and set a completion date with the seller or their conveyancer.

This will then bring an end to the conveyancing process, at which point you will receive the keys to the house and move in.

If you need financial advice and you live in the UK then you could contact the Money Advice service over the phone or via chat for impartial advice.

You can also contact the debt charity “Step Change” if you are in debt and need help.