Reviewed 4 August 2026 · Figures as at July 2026
UK house prices have barely moved. Nationwide’s House Price Index (July 2026) shows prices up 1.8% over the year and 0.1% over the month — steady, not soaring. If you’re a homeowner over 55 weighing up equity release, that’s useful background, not a reason to act. What’s right for you is a question for advice.
In short: house prices are steady; whether equity release suits you depends on your own circumstances and on proper advice — never on a headline.
What July’s figures show
Each month, Nationwide publishes its House Price Index. For July 2026 it reports annual growth of 1.8%, down from 2.2% in June, with prices up just 0.1% over the month. The average home is worth about £277,500, and Nationwide describes the market as subdued. The same report also looks at how long people stay put: around 14 years on average, and about 24 years for those who own their home outright. (Source: Nationwide’s House Price Index, July 2026.)
What steady prices mean if equity release is on your mind
Equity release is tied to the value of your home. If your home is worth more, you may, in principle, be able to release more — though the amount also depends on your age, the lender and the plan you choose. Releasing money from your home reduces the value of your estate, and it may leave little or no equity for your family. The interest on a lifetime mortgage is charged on the amount borrowed and on the interest already added, so the total owed can grow more quickly than people expect. More available does not mean more is wise.
A steady market, like July’s, changes very little from one month to the next. There is no cliff-edge here, and no clock ticking.
If you’ve owned your home a long time
Many people who consider equity release have owned their home for decades and paid off much of the mortgage. A large part of their wealth sits in the property — which is exactly the position Nationwide’s “about 24 years” figure describes. It is also why a calm, unhurried look at your options, with your family and an adviser, matters far more than any single month’s data.
The questions worth asking
Is releasing equity right for me, or would another route serve me better? How much would it cost over the years? What would be left for my family? Could it affect any means-tested benefits I receive? A lifetime mortgage is a long-term commitment, so it always comes with regulated advice — and sometimes the advice is that doing nothing, or something else, suits you better. That is not a failure; it is the point of advice.
The protections that come with the right plan
Plans that meet Equity Release Council standards let you stay in your home for life, and mean you would never owe more than your home sells for, as long as you keep to the plan’s terms and conditions. Most modern plans also let you make voluntary payments to keep the interest in check, if you want to.
Risk warning. Equity release will reduce the value of your estate and may affect your entitlement to means-tested benefits. A lifetime mortgage is a loan secured against your home. To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration.
If you’d like to understand what this could mean for you and your family, you can speak to an adviser for a no-obligation conversation, at your own pace.
Frequently asked questions
Do rising house prices mean I can release more equity?
Sometimes. The amount you may be able to release is based partly on your home’s value, so a higher value can mean more is available. It also depends on your age, the lender and the plan. Releasing more reduces the value of your estate and increases the interest that builds up over time, so more available is not the same as more being right for you.
Is now a good time to consider equity release because of house prices?
House prices alone are not a reason to act. July’s figures show a steady market, not a rising one. Whether equity release suits you depends on your circumstances, your plans for your family, and regulated advice — not on the month’s headline.
What are the main risks of equity release?
It reduces the value of your estate, the interest builds up over time and can grow the amount owed, and it may affect means-tested benefits. Early repayment charges can apply. This is why regulated advice is required before you proceed.
This article was last reviewed and dated for July 2026. House price figures are updated on a roughly 30-day cycle; we re-check them against Nationwide’s latest release on each update.
