The Pauzible Process: Simplifying Home Equity Access

Pauzible is at the forefront of financial innovation, helping homeowners regain control of their financial well-being during turbulent times. With groundbreaking products in the landscape of home equity access, Pauzible offers solutions that are not readily available through conventional financing.

Pauzible’s Products

1. MORTGAGE PAYMENTS – The mortgage payments product is aimed at homeowners facing an increase in their monthly mortgage payments as their new higher mortgage interest rates kick in. This product allows homeowners to “pause” their increase for an agreed period of up to five years. During this period, Pauzible pays the difference between the homeowner’s new higher and previous lower monthly mortgage, in return for a share in the value of the property. Thus, homeowners can avoid a forced sale of the property today, and a gain a few years over which to reorganise their finances, and benefit from a potential appreciation in the value of their property and decrease in the mortgage rate.  

2. BUY-TO-LET - This product is aimed at BTL landlords. Again, it enables them to pause the increase in their monthly mortgage costs for an agreed period of up to five years in return for a share in the value of their property. BTL landlords can thus avoid a forced sale of their property today, and a gain a few years during which they might benefit from a potential appreciation in the value of their property, decrease in mortgage rates and increase in rents.  

3. RELEASE CASH - This product is aimed at homeowners without a mortgage who are looking to encash a part of their home equity without taking on debt. It is meant to help homeowners improve their quality of life in exchange for a share in the value of their property.  

Here's a look at the straightforward steps involved:

1. Expression of Interest: The journey begins when homeowners express their interest in a Pauzible product. This can be done in different ways, including by filling out an initial form on the Pauzible website, calling Pauzible’s telephone number, starting a WhatsApp chat with Pauzible through its website, or booking a call with Pauzible through a calendar on its website. Pauzible understands that every homeowner's situation is unique and their team is available to provide personalised support.

2. Initial Form and Consultation: If they have not done so already when expressing interest, homeowner’s will be requested to fill out a brief initial form. This form is designed to gather some preliminary information, such as the homeowner’s contact details; information about their property, mortgage and the level of financial support they would like to receive from Pauzible; and their income and credit profile. Once they have completed and submitted the initial form, homeowners are invited to book a telephone consultation with a Pauzible expert. Its purpose is for Pauzible to better understand the homeowner’s financial circumstances and requirements based on the information provided. It also provides an opportunity for the homeowner to clarify their understanding of Pauzible’s product and what it might or might not be able to do for them. Following the consultation, Pauzible will determine if the homeowner might “pre-qualify” for its product.  

3. Application Form and Supporting Documents: Homeowners who pre-qualify and wish to apply formally for Pauzible’s product are required to fill out an Application Form and provide supporting documents. For example, the Application Form includes questions about the homeowner’s age, citizenship, residency, employment, income, assets, mortgage, other debts, expenses, the level of monthly payments they would like to receive from Pauzible and for how many years and so on. The form also includes questions about the relevant property, such as its legal and beneficial owners, charges against it, its freehold or leasehold status, the remaining length of its lease (if leasehold), property type (flat, terraced, semi-detached, detached, maisonette or bungalow), buildings insurance cover, estimated value of the property and so on. Supporting documents might include proof of identity, pay slips, bank statements, mortgage statements and so on.  

4. Checks and Assessment: After receiving the Application Form and supporting documents, Pauzible conducts necessary checks, including the property’s title register with the Land Registry, and anti-money laundering and credit checks. It also carries out an assessment to determine the homeowner's eligibility for the Pauzible product. Assessment factors include the property's value, existing mortgage amounts, amount of payments requested from Pauzible, and the requested agreement period, applicant’s income and credit profile and so on. Depending on the outcome, an independent valuation of the property might be instructed and legal searches conducted.  

5. Approval and Offer: Once the assessment is complete, depending on its outcome, homeowners whose applications have been approved receive a tailored offer, including monthly disbursements by Pauzible, the length of the pause period, Pauzible’s share in the value of the property, the length of the buyback period and agreement period, and terms and conditions. Pauzible strongly recommends that homeowners seek their own independent professional advice before accepting Pauzible’s product and entering into an agreement with Pauzible.

6. Closing Process: The closing process begins once the acceptance by the homeowner of Pauzible’s offer has been received by Pauzible. Pauzible works with legal professionals to try and ensure that the closing process is as smooth as possible.

7. Funds Disbursement: Once all the legal formalities have been completed, the disbursement of funds to the homeowner from Pauzible begins. Homeowners can then enjoy the financial flexibility that they deserve.  

FAQs:

Q: How much equity do I need, and what if I do not have a mortgage?

A: Pauzible aims to help homeowners bridge cashflow gaps created by an increase in mortgage rates or other personal circumstances for an agreed period of up to five years in return for a share in the value of their home. Pauzible’s prospective clients need to have at least 35%-40% home equity and the intention to retain their home for at least three years. Other criteria, such as a strong credit profile, will also apply. Pauzible can also assist homeowners without any mortgage.

Q: What are the fees and costs associated with Pauzible?

A: The homeowner is responsible for third-party fees, including those for valuation, title searches and legal services. The fees incurred at the outset are paid by Pauzible and added to the amount scheduled to be disbursed by Pauzible to the homeowner during the pause period. This combined total becomes an input for the purposes of calculating Pauzible’s share of the value of the property.

Q: How is Pauzible's share of the value of your home calculated?  

A: Pauzible’s product involves making monthly payments to homeowners for an agreed period of up to five years, or the “pause period”, to help them meet the increase in their monthly mortgage payments, for example. In return, Pauzible gets a share in the value of the homeowner’s property. Pauzible’s share is calculated as follows:

Step 1: The total amount of the monthly payments that Pauzible agrees to make (plus the initial costs incurred for valuation, searches and legal services) are divided by the initial market value of home (which is based on the surveyor’s valuation discounted by 10% in order to determine what the immediate sale price of the property would have been had the homeowner not entered into an arrangement with Pauzible and sold the property immediately instead). Say, for example, that the Step 1 percentage equals 10%.

Step 2: The above 10% will be increased to, say, 15% in order to compensate Pauzible for taking equity risk. Thus Pauzible’s share of the value of your home in this example would be 15%.

The homeowner can buy back Pauzible’s share [say, 15%, for example] any time before an agreed date, or the “termination date”, up to five years after the end of the pause period at the then prevailing market price. The homeowner has to buy back Pauzible’s share [say, 15%, for example] if they re-mortgage or sell the property at any time before the termination date, at the then prevailing market price or sale price, as applicable. However, during the first three years after the initial agreement date, the buy back price cannot be lower than Pauzible’s share [say, 15%, for example] of the initial market value of the property. If Pauzible’s share [say, 15%, for example] has not been bought out by the homeowner by the termination date, Pauzible has the right to buy out the remaining share of the property (with vacant possession) anytime after the termination date at the then prevailing market price.

Q: How is my home value determined at the beginning and end of the agreement? What if I disagree with the appraised value at the end of the agreement?

A: An independent and qualified surveyor will determine the value of your home at the beginning and end of the agreement. A 10% discount will be applied to that valuation at the beginning in order to determine what the actual immediate sale price of the property would have been had the homeowner not entered into an arrangement with Pauzible and sold the property immediately instead. In the event of a disagreement about valuation, a homeowner may request a reconsideration and will be required to pay the costs associated with the inspection.

Q. What if I already have a second mortgage? Will I be able to qualify?

A: Many factors determine the qualifications for Pauzible’s products. Please get in touch with us to discuss your individual needs.