Released on = May 4, 2007, 3:12 am

Press Release Author = Charlotte Burrows

Industry = Real Estate

Press Release Summary = Further evidence that the popularity of equity release is on
the rise has been provided soon after a report by financial product research
business Defaqto revealed equity release was increasingly being used by pensioners
as a way of funding retirement says National Homebuyers.

Press Release Body =

Just Retirement, which specialises in providing housing equity release schemes to
people nearing retirement, has announced its equity release mortgage advances have
increased by 9.6 per cent in the last year to £34.1 million.

What\'s more, Mike Fuller, chief executive of Just Retirement - which also offers
annuity policies - expects demand for equity release to remain healthy.

\'The underlying drivers of the annuity and equity release markets are strongly
positive and we believe are set to remain favourable for the foreseeable future,\" he
said.

It is thought that a combination of under-funded pensions, low annuity rates and
pensioner debt is underpinning heightened demand for equity release for pensioners.

National Homebuyers also offers equity release, as well as the opportunity to sell a
property to the firm and subsequently rent it back.

This provides both financial security and the continued opportunity to live in the
family home.

Information released by the UK\'s largest \'sell and rent back\' provider backs up the
Defaqto report. Julian King, director of National Homebuyers, says: \"Sell and rent
back is a very viable option for people considering equity release but find the
process complicated or restricting.

\"Interest on our product has been growing dramatically over the last 12 months, with
enquiries up 800 per cent year on year.

\"It is difficult for some people to find ways of funding their lifestyle in
retirement and sell and rent back, like equity release is a very real option for
thousands.

\"That combination of pension income problems, low annuity rates and debt is the
reason more and more people are considering options like National Homebuyers.\"

Web Site = http://www.nationalhomebuyers.co.uk/newsarticle.asp?ID

Contact Details = Sterling House
20 Victoria Way
Burgess Hill
West Sussex
RH15 9NF
08709798118