After years of working hard to make monthly mortgage payments, your home is likely to be your biggest asset, particularly, if you’ve benefited from an increase in house prices over the last few decades. The value of your home (minus any existing mortgage and other loans secured against it) is referred to as equity. This equity is often passed on as an inheritance. However, an increasing number of people are tapping into some of this value to help boost their retirement finances or help their children get onto the property ladder. If you’re wondering if equity release is right for you, you’re in the right place. This article will take you through some of the basics of equity release before speaking to an expert equity release adviser.