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FingerprintFinancialPlanning are Truly Independent Financial Advisers based at the Historic Dockyard

16/10/2026

The potential pros of equity release

You can unlock wealth from your home

As we’ve already mentioned, wealth tied up in property is fairly inaccessible, and this could be frustrating if you have limited income or savings.

Releasing some funds through equity release can supplement income, help to fund large projects, or be put towards clearing debts.

You don’t need to sell your home

One of the big advantages of equity release is that you can remain in your home and don’t need to sell or downsize simply to unlock funds.

You could use funds to support your family and potentially reduce an Inheritance Tax liability

Releasing wealth from your property can unlock funds to help your family financially during your lifetime.

Gifting during your lifetime could also potentially reduce the value of your estate and lower or remove an Inheritance Tax (IHT) liability.

However, there are some caveats to lifetime gifting. Outside of certain HMRC exemptions, such gifts are known as potentially exempt transfers (PETs). If you survive for seven years after making a gift, then its value could be removed from your estate. But if you die within seven years, then the gift will likely become taxable at a rate determined by a sliding scale known as taper relief.

Equity release can be complex and isn’t always a simple way to mitigate an IHT bill. It’s important to take financial advice to understand whether it could be a workable option for you.

Read more in our article Asset-rich, tax-poor: Why it could be worth reviewing the value of your estate.

You could find a plan which offers flexibility

Modern equity release can give you some choice over how you access and pay back money, such as making voluntary repayments or taking the funds over a period of time rather than in a lump sum.

Next The Potential cons of equity release.....

14/10/2026

Your home could be your most valuable asset. However, unlike other assets, such as ISAs or savings, this value isn’t immediately accessible.

Equity in your home remains stored there until you sell. However, there are methods of equity release that can unlock funds without necessitating a sale.

There are pros and cons to equity release, and it’s important that you consider these carefully before taking any action. Read on to find out more.

Equity release can be used to fund projects, clear debts, or support day-to-day living

Research from Canada Life shows that home improvements are the leading reason people seek equity release, with data indicating that home adaptations or improvements are cited in 43% of applications.

Other reasons included clearing an existing mortgage, strengthening financial resilience, supporting day-to-day living, building emergency funds, and consolidating existing debts.

This demand for equity release reflects the fact that property can often represent a significant proportion of an individual’s wealth.

The most common type of equity release is a lifetime mortgage. Under this type of arrangement, you:

Take out a loan against your home
Retain ownership
Can often choose whether to pay some or all of the interest, but usually don’t make monthly payments
Repay the loan and any interest when the last homeowner either dies or moves into long-term care

Next The potential pros of equity release.....

12/10/2026

The finishing touches are being done and the new furniture has been delivered so lots of boxes to be unpacked.

Hopefully we will be back in our home in Admirals Offices very soon.

Watch this space....

10/10/2026

Let's talk, listen and support for better mental health together.

This years focus is lived experiences heard: Support starts with being heard. Its good to talk its even better to be heard.

Conversation's about mental health make a difference. And they matter most when we listen to people's experiences.

By sharing your experience, starting a conversation and taking the time to listen you could help someone feel understood, less alone and more confident reaching out for support.

This could be a friend, a loved one or a colleague.

07/10/2026

Regular valuations and reviews can help you establish the value of your estate
IHT rules mean it’s important to take an overview of your whole estate, rather than just looking at your income and bank balance as a barometer of your wealth.
It’s a good idea to get up-to-date valuations for your:

Home and any other properties
Cash savings
ISAs
Investments
Valuable possessions
Business interests.

Pensions have traditionally been excluded from an estate and therefore have often been a tax-efficient asset to pass on.

However, from 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and some death benefits will be included in an estate for the first time, potentially raising its value and bringing it into the scope of IHT.

From 2027, when calculating your estate’s value, you’ll need to include all current and previous pensions, which could be from former employers or periods of self-employment. We can help you track down any long-held or potentially lost pensions.

Valuing your estate can be a big job if you try to calculate it as a one-and-done exercise. Rather, try to maintain up-to-date records and review valuations on a regular basis so you can adjust your estate planning if necessary.

As well as the total value of your estate, you’ll need to factor in debts and liabilities, such as any outstanding mortgages, credit card balances, or loans. Funeral expenses can usually be deducted from your estate.

Understanding your potential IHT exposure can support your estate planning strategy. If you think your estate could be liable for IHT, there are actions you can take to reduce its value and mitigate the bill for your beneficiaries.

These can include:

Gifting during your lifetime
Charitable giving
Trusts

You could also consider taking out life insurance and putting it into trust. While this won’t reduce the value of your estate, it could leave funds for your loved ones to settle an IHT bill.

Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.

05/10/2026

According to Today’s Wills and Probate, almost half of homeowners describe themselves as “just getting by” financially, despite their estates being above the current Inheritance Tax (IHT) threshold.

Although this might sound contradictory, it’s more than feasible to have a relatively modest disposable income at the same time as owning a high-value home.

However, in some cases, not feeling as though you fit the definition of “wealthy” could mean that you incorrectly think estate planning isn’t relevant to you. This could lead to your beneficiaries receiving an unnecessary IHT bill, or one which could have been mitigated with careful estate planning.
Read on to discover why understanding the value of your estate could ultimately be beneficial to your loved ones.

Increased asset values combined with frozen thresholds could expose your estate to Inheritance Tax

Your wealth status can often change without you consciously realising it. Rising asset values, such as property, don’t influence your everyday income, so aren’t immediately in your line of sight. It is feasible that you bought your home years or even decades ago, and its value may have increased significantly.

Other assets, such as long-term investments, may have also grown substantially without boosting your income.

IHT is usually applied at 40% on assets above certain thresholds. The nil-rate band, above which an estate usually becomes liable for IHT, is £325,000. This has been frozen since 2009/10 and is due to remain at its current level until April 2031.

In some cases, frozen thresholds can lead to fiscal drag; as asset values rise, the IHT threshold remains the same, which could result in more estates becoming liable for IHT. In fact, according to Saga, 10% of estates may be liable for IHT by 2030.

The residence nil-rate band applies up to £175,000 when you leave your home to your direct descendants. Combined with the nil-rate band, this means you could potentially pass on up to £500,000 before IHT is applied.

Unused allowances can be transferred to your spouse or civil partner, potentially allowing a couple to pass on up to £1 million.

02/10/2026

The first Autumn Budget under Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey will be delivered on 28 October. New leadership in the Labour Party may signal a change in direction, so it’s not surprising that speculation about what could be announced is rife.

In addition, official forecasts suggest that public borrowing in July was £2.3 billion more than predicted1. As a result, Healey, who has adopted fiscal rules that commit to funding all day-to-day spending through tax receipts by the end of the decade, could face some difficult decisions.

This has led to rumours about what will be announced and your personal finances may be affected. While this can feel unnerving, staying calm is important. We’re writing to reassure you that we’re in your corner and will keep you up to date with Budget news, so you don’t need to rely on the rumour mill.

However, if you’re tempted to make changes to your finances after reading the news, here’s why you could benefit from pausing to consider what’s driving your decision.

3 reasons to avoid reacting to speculation ahead of the 2026 Budget

1. The speculation might prove false and could lead to regrets
2. Financial decisions should be carefully considered
3. There’s often a transition period before changes are implemented

We’ll be watching the Budget and analysing what it means for you.

01/10/2026

Its so important for everyone to be aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and the fact its not just women that are at risk. So this is to encourage your friends, family and colleagues to check themselves regularly not just this month but every month.

28/09/2026

The builders and painters have been busy and here is a few pictures of fixtures, fittings and a media wall. There has been so much progress its really starting to look good and we are excited to see it finished and move back.

25/09/2026

Read on to discover the last three ways house sale advice has changed over the years, and how to get your property in peak condition for viewings and photographs.

3. Think about your online listing

While the viewing was all-powerful in the past, your online listing could now hold even more sway. According to Property Daily, 97% of respondents said they had used an online portal for their property search.

Your prospective buyer is very likely to see your home online before they decide whether to view, so it’s important to get your house in order for the pictures, not just the viewing.

It’s therefore a good idea to declutter, make your beds, and open up your curtains and blinds to get the best effect and lighting for the photos.
You could even go for a one-off professional clean before the photographer arrives.

4. Show opportunities rather than your own taste

A viewing used to present an opportunity to show your own take on each room. However, with hybrid working, many people are now looking to see the potential other variants for the rooms.

According to Finder, 39% of Brits work from home at least some of the time, so will be looking for a comfortable working environment.

Add a desk and working area to one of your spare bedrooms, to show potential
See if areas such as alcoves or large hall or landing spaces could house a dedicated workspace
Demonstrate flexibility. As well as home working, you could consider how rooms could be converted into a nursery or space for an older relative.

5. Remember the importance of “kerb appeal”

In this respect, the advice hasn’t really changed. The front and exterior of your property is still arguably the most significant, as it creates the first physical impression for your prospective buyers.

Mow the grass and trim edges so the lawn is neat
Clean the front door and windows
Move bins to a discreet place
Sweep and clear pathways
Make sure your house number or name is clearly visible

You could also add a few potted plants or hanging baskets to the front of your house to add some colour.

Address

Admirals Offices, The Historic Dockyard
Rochester
ME44TZ

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	9am - 5:30pm
Thursday	9am - 5:30pm
Friday	9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+443452100100

Website

https://linktr.ee/fingerprintfinancialplanning

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