4/5
TrustpilotFeedback
Was great to have someone who is willing to answer questions and supply answers but also bring consistency
Trusted Agent profile · Worthing
Homewise Worthing reviews
★★★★★
382 reviews across 2 platforms
1 Liverpool Gardens, Worthing, BN11 1TF
Homewise's office in Worthing, at 1 Liverpool Gardens, is rated 4.3 out of 5 across 382 reviews on two platforms, including 191 Google reviews rated 4.2.
Reviews
Every review we hold for the Worthing office, from every platform, shown as written. First names only.
Trustpilot1/5
GoogleAs a 60 year old couple with no inheritance concerns we thought this an ideal way to release capital for our retirement. However, being 'young' meant we were only entitled to the lowest equity release rate. Only after much questioning did we find out that for a measly £39,000 Homewise would end up with a house purchased for £300,000 not taking into account any rises in the property market! A £260,000 present for them!!NegativeValue
Agent replied · 17 June 2024
Thank you for your feedback Mr Taylor, although I am sorry to see you were unhappy with the estimate. There may have been a misunderstanding about the Home for Life Plan, so I wanted to reply personally. Through Homewise you can purchase a Lifetime Lease on pretty much any property on the open market, it’s not equity release and can only be used when moving home. With a Lifetime Lease, people aged 60+ can boost their budget and pay a one-off amount (that's always less than the market value) to live rent-free and mortgage-free in a property of their choice. We help many people in different situations, but we understand it may not be the right solution for everyone. For many a boost of £39,000 can mean the difference between a flat or a house, the ideal location or a compromise, a garden, and the extra bedroom they desire, and we’re really proud to help our customers achieve whatever goals they are hoping for. It may not have been discussed when you talked to our team, but did you know you can also create extra savings and do not necessarily have to use all of your current budget to fund your move, if a boost could help you secure the right property? A Lifetime Lease can benefit your current situation but is primarily an option for future security, knowing you could live in the perfect property for 30+ years free from financial burdens. We know it isn’t the perfect choice for everyone and if you’re able to achieve your goals within your current affordability then that is of course the best option for you. I hope this goes some way to explain a little more about how we help people Mr Taylor, and please do contact us directly should you have any questions about how we may be able to help you. Best regards, Jessie
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.
1/5
GoogleDon't rely on the website calculator, it's a draw you in quote. My mother has been quoted £40k higher than the calculator showed as an unhealthy 83-year-old with an average family life expectancy of mid eighties. The equivalent in rental sum they want to charge for a lifetime would in real terms run until she'd be 104! We're looking at other options.
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
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.
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).
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
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.
1/5
GoogleThis company is a massive scam and you should shop around for a better deal. They are causing serious issues in the housing market, which is due to their blood lust for money. Thanks for response to the above. What you're basically telling me is that you've been caught out on this scan before and now have an FAQ as to why you're legitimate. This doesn't wash with me. Go, be proud and continue what you're doing. You have to live with yourselves. You also stated that you're a family run business. That obviously means you're not running a scam.
Agent replied · 17 June 2024
Hi Helly I just wanted to reply personally as I think there's been a misunderstanding about who we are and what we do. We're a family-run business who help people move home in their retirement. We've been helping and supporting people aged 60+ for more than 40 years and pride ourselves on the care we offer our customers. Our Home for Life Plan helps people live in the property of their choice securely (and without any rent, mortgage or interest) for their lifetime. We know it's not the perfect option for everyone, but for those we do help it really changes their lives and we're proud of the work we do to help them retire happy. There's an article about myths to do with Homewise here: https://goo.gl/JANgMf which might help explain a little more about us, but do please contact us if you have any questions at any time. Best regards, Danielle
5/5
GoogleI feel drawn to write a review about Homewise because I have read reviews from people who clearly have not had the experience of dealing with this Family run company. I have and I have nothing but praise for them. I had a traumatic time trying to sell my property in Spain and with the little capital I had left I knew I could never afford a lovely home of my own in the UK. Then I found Homewise - what relief - these wonderful people - the whole team were professional and caring, making my return to the UK and to my new lovely home of my own, stress free. I don’t have the worry of renting and I feel so secure knowing I have my home for life - wonderful. Many thanks to Homewise.
Agent replied · 17 June 2024
Lovely to hear from you again Estella, thank you for sharing your story. There are so many people in a similar situation that we help, wanting to move back to the UK but struggling to afford the current market. We were so pleased when you found the perfect home and great to know you're still happy there. All the best for the year ahead, from all at Homewise
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
GoogleRecently I consulted Tommy Evans at Homewise to discuss the viability of attaining a property to suit my future needs, within my budget. I was most impressed by his pleasant helpful manner. He provided all the pertinent details in a succinct and concise manner. Any questions that I had were answered promptly and clearly. My initial experience of dealing with Homewise left me feeling confident at proceeding with a purchase.
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.
1/5
GoogleLifetime lease's need urgent review by the government as far as I can see this a massive con. These types of investors are leaches that will leave you with no tangible assets that you can pass on to your family should you wish to. Take for example Herne Road Surbiton - Marketed by 2 estate agents at £850,000 offered for sale at £561,000 with home wise. You will pay £561,000 the majority of the property's value, and under the lifetime lease offered by homewise the property will revert to them once you pass away, so HomeWise will end up with a property worth £850,000 and pay only £289,000, this is before we take into account any appreciation in the propertie's value. This is a massive scam!!!!! YOU ARE MASSIVELY SUBSIDING AN INVESTMENT FOR A LONG TERM PROPERTY INVESTOR!
Agent replied · 17 June 2024
Hi Shane, I'd like to reassure you that this isn't the case. As part of the Home for Life Plan, customers can choose to safeguard up to 50% of the property's future value as an inheritance. This means that if property values increase, then so will the value of your safeguarded percentage. The amount you choose to safeguard will have an impact on the amount of discount we can offer upfront, but it's really down to the customer and their priorities, which we work closely with our customers to explore and understand. If you don't have children, for example, then inheritance is often less important. It's also worth adding that everyone that uses the Home for Life Plan must be independently legally advised - we can't and won't proceed without this. Our sole aim here is to help people aged over sixty to move home. We're completely open about the fact that the Home for Life Plan isn't right for everyone, but for those that are struggling to find or afford a suitable home, it gives a valuable and much-needed option. Sorry for the long response, but I hope I've helped to address some of your concerns. Jenny
1/5
GoogleVery frustrating. I'm a first time buyer and all the affordable homes that would be perfect have been snapped up by this company. Even when I filter out 'retirement homes' I still get stuck with "Price reduced for the over 60s" houses and absolutely nothing left for first time buyers. Completely stagnated the local market. They've created a vacuum where all affordable homes sit on the market unpurchased and first time buyers or those with a smaller budget are left with nothing to choose from while seeing these vacant homes sit untouched. What 60 year old in Hastings can afford to/want to buy a 3 bedroom family home? Especially in an area of generally low income and high COL??? Unethical and unfair.
Agent replied · 17 June 2024
Hello there, I just wanted to help clarify how we work. We don't actually own all the properties you see advertised online - we're an estate agent and we work like all other estate agents in that we're just offering them for sale. All of them are available for anyone to purchase and you can find the details of how to do this in our property listing. We try not to make assumptions about the types of homes people over 60 would like to buy, therefore we do advertise larger homes along with bungalows and flats so that there are plenty of options available. I hope this makes sense and helps to clear things up a bit. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us and we'll be happy to help. Jenny
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...
5/5
Googlebarney was excellent in explaining all details of lease for life with homewise and it made me even more sure to proceed in purchasing my forever home with homewise
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.
