5/5
TrustpilotAdviser knew what she was talking…
Adviser knew what she was talking about. Nice, polite and answered my questions and pointed me in the right direction for further advice.
Trusted Agent profile · Birmingham
Homewise Birmingham reviews
★★★★★
199 reviews across 1 platform
Birmingham, B46 1DL
Part of Homewise, see every office.
Homewise's office in Birmingham is rated 4.5 out of 5 across 199 reviews on 1 platform.
Want a trusted local agent to help?
Tell us what you need and we'll put you in touch. Homewise hasn't joined The Trusted Agent yet, so we'll pass your enquiry to them or to up to three other top-rated agents near Birmingham.
Reviews
Every review we hold for the Birmingham office, from every platform, shown as written. First names only.
Trustpilot5/5
TrustpilotFriendly no pressure consultation
I was referred by a partner estate agent through to Homewise and had an excellent phone consultation with Kiera. She was very thorough,and was friendly and approachable throughout. I didn't feel under any pressure. After taking all the relevant details and explaining the plan, she emailed my personal illustration straight through along with a selection of properties that may be suitable for me. I have since emailed a couple of extra questions through which have been replied to promptly.
3/5
TrustpilotIts an option for some.
I contacted Homewise, having read various reviews and they are all over Rightmove. My partner and I wish to down size our house, we live in the London area and expect to have £900,000 left after sales. A budget of £600,000 to spend on a new house. So £300,000 to invest in us. Aged 60, Homewise would give us £60,000 of the £600,000 for a 50% share in the new house. We would maintain and cover various costs and upon both deaths or care home, Homewise would sell the property. So our estate would receive 50% of the sale price. As property doubles on average every 20 years, its a very interesting option. Our present house has trebled in 17yrs.I spoke to my IFA, who had one question before we got too excited. Homewise talk about up to 59%, how do you get the 59% investment? Simple, your older than 60.Homewise and I had already exchanged a few emails and I had explained our needs. They arranged a phone call with an advisor. A very quick Q&A they estimated that at aged 60. They would offer £60,000 on a £600,000 purchase subject to T&C.The Homewise offer was not substantial enough to be worth while to us. I understand why the offer was low, if we live another 25yrs. Homewise have a long wait for any substantial return and the rules on CGT may have changed. Its not a simple investment to either party.As an option to buy a property, its very interesting and I would recommend looking at. Everyone’s situation is different.I have read some of the 1 star reviews and feel some didn't understand the product fully. A home is a big and often complex investment, so please ask questions.
5/5
TrustpilotAccount Manager updates
Our account manager Rhonda has been fantastic keeping us updated with any changes that need to be address while we have been out if country
5/5
TrustpilotVery helpful and patient and explain…
Very helpful and patient and explain everything that you need to know.I spoke to a lady called Gemma who was very informative with what you needed to know.
5/5
TrustpilotExcellent help and advice
Although I have not used their services, I was very impressed with the quality of help and assistance that was provided to me.
1/5
TrustpilotCommunication diplorable
The communication between them, solicitors and estate agents is absolutely disgusting. Every single time without fail every single company/person is waiting on Homewise. They seemingly move 1 piece of paper around 1 day at a time. Homewise have no communication skills whatsoever and are unable to think outside the box. Morally they are awful and just shrug their shoulders every single time and blame everyone else.
5/5
TrustpilotVery knowledgeable and helpful easy to…
Very knowledgeable and helpful easy to understand answered all my questions
4/5
TrustpilotFeedback
Was great to have someone who is willing to answer questions and supply answers but also bring consistency
5/5
TrustpilotExcellent service throughout
The whole Team from the start have been very professional, polite and friendly.
5/5
TrustpilotGreat, professional service
I was extremely happy that my question were answered professionally and without bias. As a person over 60, looking to buy my own home for the first time, I was treated with respect and dignity and no question was brushed aside. I think the service that is being provided to communities is quite remarkable and should be commended for helping so many people who otherwise may not be treated fairly. It was a pleasure to discuss my particular needs and feel that the company will work to try and get me my dream home.
5/5
TrustpilotMake the Call to Homewise - no Regrets
At some point in the process of looking for homes - first time buyer, 67 years of age, feeling rather shaky about what I am trying to do, an estate agent at Wards, referred me to Homewise given my age.
5/5
TrustpilotThe customer service 10/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kayleigh The young lady I spoke to, to inquire about over 60s property and how it works she explained everything to me and at the end of the phone conversation i felt so please the way it went . if all tbe staff are like Kayleigh then this company must have a fantastic way of training their staff . it was a joyful experience and im so glad i found homewise to help me move and find a place
1/5
TrustpilotStay away if you value your estate
This company is truly evil. They exploit the vulnerable by offering a very unattractive deal to people who don't know what signing up to them means. My mother thought she was signing up to a home for life when she contributed £225, 000 towards a £275,000 property and is now only entitled to 30% of the value and has been converted into a life tenant whilst her freehold was sold to an investor. Beyond disgusting. We are trying hard to extricate ourselves from an onerous, extortionate contract. Stay away if you value your estate.
Agent replied · 13 June 2024
Hi Lyn, I believe you have been speaking with the Homewise Customer Care Team in recent weeks, to gather all the information you require regarding your mother’s Home for Life Plan. I understand you were previously unaware of your mother’s decision to use the plan, when leaving rented accommodation to her current home some years ago. Due to Data Protection and our company privacy policies, we cannot comment or disclose, within this public forum, any personal information relating to our customer, your mother; however, we do note there are inaccuracies and possibly misunderstandings in your feedback.Our Home for Life Plan offers a choice for people to be able to have security and peace of mind for their future. To move out of rented, perhaps unsuitable living or financial situations, and find a home in an area they love to live in for their lifetime. It’s worth noting that whilst there is a one-off cost for a Home for Life Plan, this is always lower than the price of the customers chosen property and means they can live there with no further payments to Homewise for the rest of their lifetime.To add further reassurance to you, and others who may be reading this post; we are a family-run business, and our values, ethos, and Code of Practice are at the very core of everything we do. As such, we go to great lengths to ensure that our customer’s interests are protected, which is why many customers choose Homewise. We always encourage anyone considering the Home for Life Plan to involve family throughout the process, so everyone involved is fully informed and happy with the plan, which many do. But of course, we cannot enforce this on those who do not wish to.The Home for Life Plan can be set up in many ways to suit the customer as to how they would like to plan for inheritance, either by creating an early inheritance, or by safeguarding up to 50% of the property’s future value. When the property is sold, this percentage equivalent amount of the proceeds of sale are rightfully issued to the customer’s estate as they specified. Of course, this percentage is the decision of each customer, depending on how much importance they place on inheritance. We do insist that all customers seek independent legal advice from their own chosen solicitors’ firm. As such, any solicitor is acting solely in their client’s interest and is advising their client based on that independent relationship. We cannot, and will not, proceed without an independent solicitor who is acting on behalf of the customer, signing a certificate to confirm that they have fully advised their client on the plan and that their client fully understands the term and effect of the agreement they are choosing to enter. I understand that at the time, your mother was very clear on the fact that she did not want to use her fund as it was her wish that this was to be left for inheritance, and that staying in the current area was imperative, conducting the search and negotiations on her chosen property herself.The Home for Life agreement is a legally binding contract and is set up to protect our customer’s interests for their lifetime. The customer can move home using the plan on another property, however if they wish to end the contract early or move to another property without using the plan then this will not be financially beneficial in most cases. Your mother continues to hold the legal right to occupy her property for her lifetime, and should she wish to move to another property and retain that right she is more than entitled to do so, and we will support that move as much as she can.For this reason we have a thorough due diligence process in place from the start, helping our customers find their perfect home for their retirement years. As part of this process we have to ensure that any potential property will facilitate the Home for Life Plan lease, and as such whilst we do need to investigate this, it is for the benefit of all parties as we would not wish for our customers to expend finances on a potential property which was unsuitable for the Plan; we’d rather know up front to save everyone the time and money. The same due diligence process applies for any potential move.As with any product, there are pros and cons to the plan and of course it’s not for everyone, but for those who we are able to help, it can make a big difference to their living situation and happiness in retirement.I hope this helps explain a little more about our values and measures in place to protect our customers. I know you’re in regular contact with our Customer Care Team Lyn, looking at the options for your mother’s current and/or future needs, and as always, our team are here to help with anything you need.For any readers with questions or concerns please do contact us directly at any time, we’ll be happy to help. Best regards, Danielle (on behalf of Homewise).
3/5
TrustpilotThe bottom line
The bottom line to remember is if you move in with a partner that are below aged 60, that partner will have to exit the property in 28 days on their older partners passing because the younger partners are not on the legal title and never will be allowed to be included when reaching 60. They will have no home and need to do probate and funeral costs without potentially the Memories of your partner around them. Given a funeral is normally at least 14 days in planning and probate a minimum of five weeks, you really do have to think it through. If the exit the property was six months it would have made more sense as Homewise never lose financially.Part exchange we were told was simply a very below market cash payment to enable you to fund a move to anywhere quickly and that’s all.It is a form of equity release in as much you can buy a house at £260 with a lump sum of £185 up front and if you’ve sold a property of several £££ above £185 there’s your cash release. What’s not clear is if you are ever allowed to have a charge on the property say for a secured loan.It’s not a lease in the truest sense as it has no years so I do find it odd the partner cannot be added to the original title registration when they turn 60. What I did find slightly disappointing is you are told to call for a personal quote and see many properties based on a male aged 69 our quote was no different from the online quick calculator.It’s very very clear what they offer in terms of a lifetime lease with a few tweaks in the exit and the adding to of title which would be the same as any registered title we may well have gone through the process. Yes it’s Homewise product but find it interesting it’s a fixed non variable registered land registry title which they have the power to change going forward making what they offer that little more palatable. Even more maybe they should have considered adjusting the age to 55 and over as this is very much a primary age for early retirement these days.Polite and friendly company.
5/5
TrustpilotKayleigh was extremely open to help me
Kay-Leigh was extremely open to help me. Her voice was genuine and reflective of a caring motivated professional which during a challenging time of Life brought peace. I am grateful. Ginger Gilmour
5/5
TrustpilotFirst impressions
The lady I spoke to (Kayleigh) was very helpful to me on my first tentative steps in dealing with the company and the way it worked and has been helpful since on phone calls, explaining the technicalities I needed to know and I'm sure she'll help me in going forwards over the coming days.In this day and age, it's good to deal with a competent person who has a nice personality (trust me, in my years of dealing with people, they are thin on the ground)Whatever she's been paid, isn't enough.
5/5
TrustpilotExcellent experience
The whole experience was very good from start to finish. The advisor I spoke to {Tom} was polite, helpful, and explained everything clearly and constructively. He listened to my questions and comments and was able to answer them all. It was a very positive experience , I did not feel pressurised or rushed at all, which put me at my ease. I came away from the conversation feeling informed about the whole process. I particularly liked the fact that I was given the advisors number so I could ring and speak to him direct, rather than have to go through a call service. I did in fact need to speak to him the following day with another query and came away again with my question answered in a professional yet freindly manner. Makes a refreshing change!In total, cannot fault the service I was given
5/5
TrustpilotClear and straightforward
Clear, courteous and easy to deal with, and almost always the same person. Considerable paperwork to attend to, but all of it necessary. No information overload, no pressure.
5/5
TrustpilotExcellent! Thomas was very professional and is…
Thomas was very professional and is able to explain everything very clearly. I am very happy with all the details. Thank you so much. Kind regards Rowena
5/5
TrustpilotFirst class experience
My introductory call with Kayleigh was first rate. I had a lot of questions, which were clearly answered in a friendly manner. I very much hope to proceed with Homewise.
5/5
TrustpilotGreat customer service from Kiera
Great customer service from Kiera. So helpful. Great empathy. Always prepared with helpful facts. Consistent work relationship built, looking at it through customer’s eyes. Promote her. Thank you. :)
5/5
TrustpilotExcellent customer service
1/5
TrustpilotNever heard of them but was looking for…
Never heard of them but was looking for a house and they were at the other end of the phone. I thought they were estate agents but they are not. They are in my opinion providers of bridging finance to the elderly to take over the properties when they pass away. Its not something very nice and clear too. I was just informed that if your spouse is under 60, He/She has to vacate the property within 28 days of the one aged 60+ passing off.The maths don't make any sense and justification to be fare. Best to all the maths before signing up...
Where the same review appears twice we show it once. We leave out reviews that name another agent or another of the brand's offices.
Want a trusted local agent to help?
Tell us what you need and we'll put you in touch. Homewise hasn't joined The Trusted Agent yet, so we'll pass your enquiry to them or to up to three other top-rated agents near Birmingham.
