Mike Rasberry
Equity Release Specialist
Based in the South East, Mike is an experienced equity release specialist, with over 10 years experience. Mike has worked in the area for a while and has gained a vast understanding of the property market, equity release products and how they can support people in the Brentwood area.
I am a professionally qualified Financial Adviser based in London and the South East with over 10 years’ experience specialising in mortgages and the later life lending market, supported by more than 40 years in financial services.
Throughout my career, my focus has always been on delivering high-quality financial advice, building strong client relationships, and providing exceptional customer service. I take pride in placing my clients at the centre of everything I do, ensuring their financial needs, priorities, and long-term objectives are fully understood and met.
I specialise in Lifetime Mortgages, offering whole-of-market advice in a clear, open, and straightforward manner. My approach is to ensure that every recommendation is suitable not only for my clients’ current circumstances, but also supports their future financial wellbeing.
Mike Rasberry, Brentwood Equity Release Adviser
Equity Release Advice in Brentwood
At Bower Home Finance, we provide clear and responsible equity release advice to help homeowners in Brentwood understand the options available to them. Equity release is a long-term financial commitment that may reduce the value of your estate and affect your entitlement to means-tested benefits. It is important to consider all alternatives and seek independent advice before proceeding. Our advisers follow the highest standards set by the Equity Release Council, ensuring every client receives information that is accurate, impartial and designed to help you make informed decisions.
We offer expert mortgage advice and guidance on a range of equity release products, always ensuring you fully understand how each option may affect your future, your estate, and your long‑term finances.
If you are interested in learning more about equity release, and whether it is the right option for you, book an appointment with Mike Rasberry today.
Professional Equity Release Advice in Brentwood
Our advisers provide accurate and up-to-date information on the equity release sector, including how different lenders structure their products, how interest works over time, and what protections are in place. We explain the process clearly, ensuring you understand each stage before you proceed.
Our advisers also outline the requirement for you to seek independent legal advice, which ensures you are completely happy with the documentation before completion. This forms an essential part of ensuring you select a suitable product and a suitable solution for your needs.
Using Equity Release However You Choose
Whether you wish to support family members, manage retirement income, or improve your property, our guidance is specifically tailored to your circumstances.
Our adviser Mike Rasberry will explain how equity release works and answer any questions you may have.
Types of equity release in Brentwood
The most common types of equity release plans are Lifetime Mortgage and Home Reversion plans.
When releasing equity from your property, it’s important to understand the different solutions available. Equity release is a significant financial decision, and our advisers ensure you remain informed, protected and in control of your future.
We explain the benefits and considerations of each option, how they may affect your estate, and why independent legal advice is required for your protection. As proud members of the Equity Release Council, we follow strict safeguards designed to give you confidence and peace of mind.
Lifetime Mortgage
A lifetime mortgage allows you to access tax‑free cash from your property while retaining full ownership. You may choose to make voluntary monthly repayments, or you may allow interest to roll up. Your adviser will explain how each approach may affect the value of your estate over time.
- No monthly repayments
- Must be aged 55+
- Available on properties valued over £70,000+
Home Reversion Plans
A home reversion plan allows you to sell a percentage of your property while continuing to live there rent‑free for the rest of your life or until you move into long term residential care. This type of arrangement provides clarity over the remaining share of your estate and may be appropriate for clients seeking certainty rather than flexibility.
- For homeowners aged 60+
- Sell all or a percentage of your home with no rental charge
- No interest to pay on the money you release
Interest payment lifetime mortgages
Gain an interest rate discount to help reduce your cost of borrowing by agreeing to make monthly interest payments.
- For homeowners aged 55+
- Own your own home with a property value of at least £99,000
- May require proof that you can afford the monthly payments
Drawdown vs Lump sum Plan
With a drawdown lifetime mortgage, you can access an initial amount and then withdraw further funds when needed. This helps you manage interest more efficiently and gives you ongoing flexibility.
A lump sum option provides one larger payment at the start, ideal for home improvements, major purchases or clearing existing borrowing.
Your adviser will help you understand which approach best suits your goals.
Get More Out Of Later Life With Equity Release
Whether that’s through making those vital home improvements, heading on a trip of a lifetime, helping loved ones get on the property ladder – the choice is yours. Equity release is a way of unlocking the equity stored up in your home and turning it into a tax-free, cash lump sum. An equity release plan allows homeowners aged 55 and over to access some of the cash locked in the value of their home.
The value of your home, minus any outstanding mortgage and any other loans secured against it, is the equity you have in your property. This equity is often passed on as an inheritance, however an increasing number of people are tapping into some of this wealth to help boost their retirement lifestyle. After years of working hard to make monthly repayments, your home is likely to be your biggest asset, particularly if you have benefitted from an increase in house prices over the last few decades.
Equity Release Plans and Responsible Guidance
We work across the whole of market, ensuring you have access to the best plans available across the equity release sector. Our advisers provide ethical advice, impartial advice, and clear explanations of how each loan, mortgage, or release structure operates.
We ensure you fully understand:
- How interest accumulates
- How the process works from application to completion
- How your age, property value, and circumstances influence eligibility
- How your estate may be affected
- What protections are offered by the Equity Release Council
Our aim is to help homeowners make informed decisions without pressure, ensuring you only proceed when you feel confident.
Equity Release in the Surrounding Areas
Equity release in Shenfield
Shenfield is known for its peaceful neighbourhoods and excellent rail connections. If you are considering equity release in Shenfield, our advisers will guide you through the process, answer your questions and help you compare the options available.
Equity release in Hutton
Hutton offers a mix of family homes, green spaces and convenient amenities. If you are exploring equity release in Hutton, use our free equity release calculator to check your potential eligibility and see how much you may be able to release.
Equity release in Heybridge
Just north of Brentwood, Heybridge is known for its historic charm and welcoming community. If you are considering equity release in Heybridge, our specialist advisers can offer home visits or telephone appointments to suit your lifestyle. Book your free consultation today.
Why Choose Bower Home Finance?
Whole of Market Advice
We research the whole of market, covering lenders and products to help you compare features such as interest rates, early repayment charges, drawdown options, and safeguards—so you can make an informed decision.
Experienced, Specialist Advisers
Equity release is a specialist area with long-term implications. Your adviser will explain the pros and cons in plain English, check suitability, and provide a personalised recommendation based on your circumstances and objectives.
Equity Release Council Standards
As members of the Equity Release Council, we follow product standards designed to protect customers, including clear explanations of key features and risks, and safeguards such as the no negative equity guarantee on qualifying plans.
Clear Fees, No Obligation Upfront
Your initial appointment is free and without obligation. If you choose to proceed and your plan completes, a typical advice and administration fee will apply (we’ll confirm your fee to you before you commit).
Trusted by Leading Lenders
Around the UK
How Much Can I Release?
The amount you can release depends on your age, how much your house is worth and your health and lifestyle. Generally, the older you are, the more you can release. Some providers take your health and lifestyle choices into consideration which could enable you to release more money. Calculate how much you could release for free using our simple equity release calculator.
A Holistic Approach to Retirement Planning by Accessing Your Property Wealth
For the majority of us, property is our biggest store of wealth, more so than even our pensions. Yet, property is currently used much less than pensions in retirement income planning. It’s important to think more holistically about wealth and being better equipped in this way will help us achieve the retirements we all want to have.
What are the disadvantages of equity release?
Equity release will reduce the value of your estate and the amount that will go to the people named as beneficiaries in your will. If you have gone with a home reversion plan, then the home reversion company owns all or a part-share of your home.
A lifetime mortgage is a loan secured against your property and if you do not pay the mortgage interest the amount borrowed increases with compounded interest.
It could cancel or reduce your entitlement to means-tested benefits, now or in the future due to you receiving a lump sum of money that increases your savings. Receiving a lump sum may also reduce the amount you have available for future care needs and costs.
Our Commitment to Keep You Protected.
All our equity release lenders are members of the Equity Release Council, and we only ever recommend equity release plans that meet their high standards. For your added protection, your solicitor will carry out all the legal work. We also have a panel of Equity Release Council independent solicitors you can choose from, if that would help. These legal safeguards mean you are protected throughout your equity release journey.
5 Equity Release Safeguards to Protect You.
This means you or your family will never owe more than the value of your home
You retain the right to remain in your home for life providing it remains your main residence
All customers taking out new plans which meet the Equity Release Council standards must have the right to make penalty free payments (subject to lending criteria)
You can move to another suitable property (subject to the new property meeting the lender’s acceptable property criteria)
It is your right to seek independent legal advice from an equity release solicitor of your choice
Over 55 years old
Be aged 55 or over (youngest applicant if you are applying as a couple).
Home ownership
Must own your own home worth over £70,000.
Live in the UK
Must live and have permanent residency in the UK.
Main residency
The property must be your main residence although there are products for buy to let properties and holiday homes.
Equity coverage on balance
The equity you release must pay off any remaining mortgage or secured loan.
Request a callback
If you would like to learn more about equity release in Brentwood, you can request a free call back from your local adviser. We will provide clear mortgage advice, explain the process, and help you understand whether equity release may be a suitable solution for your circumstances.
Our goal is to ensure every client receives responsible, transparent advice and feels confident before they proceed.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
At Bower Home Finance, we will understand your unique circumstances and advise you to ensure you are receiving the best plan to meet your objectives. There are plans that allow you to make voluntary repayments and move home, subject to lender criteria. However, early repayment charges may apply in certain circumstances.
Bower Home Finance provides independent, impartial whole of market equity release advice with an award-winning customer service experience. Initial advice is provided at no cost to you and without obligation. Only if you choose to proceed and your plan completes, would a typical advice and administration fee of £1,695 be payable.
Equity release requires paying off any existing mortgage. Any money released, plus accrued interest to be repaid upon death, or moving into long-term care. Equity release will reduce the value of your estate and your entitlement to means-tested benefits now or in the future, and impact long-term care funding. If you are considering equity release, we strongly recommend that you read our Equity Release page carefully and talk to one of our specialists before deciding if you wish to proceed.
To find out more about any of the products and the service we provide, please call us on freephone 0800 411 8668, request a call back, email us, or use our live chat on our website.
Please be aware that equity release may involve a home reversion plan or lifetime mortgage which is secured against your property. All features and risks are thoroughly explained in your free personalised illustration.