Over-55 homeowners underestimate property wealth by £90,000
New research by the Equity Release Council suggests that many homeowners over-55 have far greater housing wealth than they realise.
The research shows the average UK homeowner aged over 55 paid £100,756 for their home, and has lived there for nearly 18 years.
The respondents estimate their home now to be worth £257,584, or a rise of 156% on average, yet according to the Office for National Statistics, the average UK house price has risen by 244% over the same period, or £346,861.
This is almost £90,000 (£89,277) more than those respondents estimated.
According to the research, nearly 60% of over-55 homeowners had not had their property valued since they bought it, an average of nearly 18 years ago.
Nigel Waterson, Chairman of the Equity Release Council, commented: “It is no secret that the property market has been kind to many homeowners, but it is remarkable to see how far people underestimate the potential size of their housing wealth, which puts the average pension pot in the shade."
Read the full research here.
What the doctor ordered
Having been the cornerstone of the local community for many years is this former GP's surgery which is now being offered for sale as a development opportunity.
Standing on a very large plot are two interconnecting buildings which originally consisted of a link detached house and a link detached bungalow which over time have been altered and enlarged to create its existing form.
With some planning and imagination there are numerous opportunities which the property lends itself to (subject to local authority consents). So get a pen and paper and design away and see what you could create.
Healthy sweetcorn fritters with avocado salsa
If you've over-done it a bit at Christmas, you're not alone (ahem!). These delicious fritters are as healthy as they are tasty - and might help redress the balance a little!
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- 325g frozen sweetcorn
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 100g plain flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 spring onions, trimmed and finely sliced
- 1 red chilli, deseeded and chopped
- handful coriander, chopped
For the guacamole
- 1 large avocado, diced
- 1 red pepper, deseeded and diced
- 1/2 lime, juiced
For the sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 150ml half-fat soured cream
WHAT TO DO
- In a bowl, combine three-quarters of the sweetcorn with the egg, flour, baking powder, half the spring onions, half the chilli and half the coriander. Season with salt and pepper.
- Blitz half the mixture in a food processor, then combine with the remaining, unblended mixture to form a batter.
- To make the salsa, dry-fry the remaining corn, until lightly charred. Tip into a bowl with the remaining spring onion, chilli and coriander. Stir in the avocado, red pepper and lime juice; season.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan. Add 1 tbsp of the batter to the pan to form a fritter. Repeat to make 8 fritters. Cook for 1-2 minutes each side.
- Serve with the salsa, soured cream and rocket.
What's on locally in January
Thanks to Seafordtown, Newhaventown and Peacehaventown for these listings.
New Year’s Day Concert
Date: Friday 01 January 2016
Time: 11:00am - 12:30pm
Where: Bandstand, Grand Parade
Town: Eastbourne
Start off the New Year with a free Concert: the Ray Campbell Dance Band will help celebrate the new year from 11:00am - 12:30pm.
FREE EVENT - No Ticket Required.
Website: www.eastbournebandstand.co.uk
Peacehaven & Telscombe vs Hastings United
Date: Saturday 02 January 2016
Time: 3:00pm
Where: The Sports Park, Piddinghoe Avenue, BN10 8RH
Town: Peacehaven
Phone: 01273 582 471
Ryman Isthmian League Match - Division South
Website: www.peacehavenfc.co.uk/
The Pirates of Penzance
Date: Saturday 02 January 2016
Time: 7:30pm
Where: Lewes Little Theatre, Lancaster Street
Town: Lewes
Phone: 01273 474 826
The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan is presented by The Opera Anywhere on Tour Company. The cast is mainly young professionals delivering Gilbert's humour with evident relish!
Event Cost: £10-£15.
Vintage Toy Collectors Fair
Date: Sunday 03 January 2016
Time: 10:00am - 2:30pm
Where: East Dean Village Hall, BN20 0DR
Town: East Dean
Email: robert@horscraft.orangehome.co.uk
Phone: 01323 899 879
Sell, buy or swap your old & new collectable toys, trains, Dinky, Corgi, tin-plate, clockwork, battery, lead figures, bears, dolls, transport memorabilia and lots more.
Entry: Adults £1.40 Children Free
East Sussex Hearing Resource Centre
Date: Thursday 07 January 2016
Time: 10:30am - 3:30pm
Where: Broad Street
Town: Seaford
Email: info@eshrc.org.uk
Phone: 01323 722 505
A free mobile information and advice service for Deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people living in East Sussex, will be visiting Seaford again.
The vehicle is equipped to offer demonstrations of assistive equipment and hearing screening tests (if time permits). The vehicle is accessible to wheelchair users.
Seaford Musical Theatre Present Jack and the Beanstalk
Date: Friday 15 January 2016 - Sunday 17 January 2016
Where: Barn Theatre, Saxon Lane
Town: Seaford
Phone: 01323 897 426
Time:
Every day (except Sun 17th): 7:30pm
Matinees at 2.30 on Sat 16th and Sun 17th
Proven family fun with the anticipated corny jokes and great songs for everyone to enjoy!
Book your tickets early (it's always a sell-out.)
Ticket Prices: Adult £10 : Student £7 : Family £30, from Seaford Tourist Information Centre, 37 Church Street, Seaford or please phone.
Christian Aid Quiz Evening
Date: Friday 22 January 2016
Time: 7:00pm
Where: Clinton Centre, Clinton Place, BN25 1NP
Town: Seaford
Phone: 01323 894 899
Make up your own teams (max 6), or turn up with a ticket.
Entrance by advance ticket only, £6 to include a simple supper available from your Christian Aid representative, or please phone.
Bring your own drinks.
Burns Night in Peacehaven
Date: Saturday 23 January 2016
Time: 7:00pm
Where: Main Hall, Community House, Meridian Centre
Town: Peacehaven BN10 8BB
Email: deborahdonovan@peacehavencouncil.co.uk
Phone: 01323 585 493
The Mayor of Peacehaven, Cllr. Robert Robertson, is hosting this event in aid of FIRST BASE DAY CENTRE.
This traditional Scottish celebration will include dancing, a three-course dinner with haggis, neeps, tatties and addressing the Haggis, which will be performed by piper Dirk Campbell and Jon Borthwick, the Town Crier.
Tickets: £12.50 can be purchased from the Peacehaven Information Centre.
Whacky Winter Quiz!
Date: Friday 29 January 2016
Time: 7:00pm
Where: Peacehaven Heights Junior Site, Hoddern Avenue, BN10 7QY
Town: Peacehaven
Email: thelink@peacehaven.e-sussex.sch.uk
Teams of up to 8 adults (aged 18+). Bring your own bottles and nibbles. Tea and coffee available.
Raffle and great prizes. Rounds to suit everybody, come and join in for a cheap fun night out and prize for the winners (and the losers!)
Please book in advance by calling into the school, or contact us via email or on our Facebook page.
Treasure Island
Date: Friday 29th to Saturday 6th February 2016
Time: 7:45pm
Where: Lewes Little Theatre, Lancaster Street, BN7 2QA
Town: Lewes
Avast Ye Land Lovers.
Set sail with Lewes Youth Group, who proudly take you on the swashbuckling adventure of Treasure Island by Ken Ludwig. A fantastic stage adaption of Robert Louis Stevenson's literary classic.
Tickets: £6 for children and £8 for adults.
Box Office 01273 474 826
Touchwood - Piano Quartet
Date: Friday 29 January 2016
Time: 7:45pm
Where: Cross Way, Steyne Road,
Town: Seaford
To include Brahms
For more information call 01323 895 812
Sunday Live entertainment at the Barn Theatre
Date: Sunday 31 January 2016
Time: 2:30pm
Where: The Barn Theatre, Saxon Lane
Town: Seaford
Phone: 01323 897 426
Featuring comedy impressionist Drew Cameron with fantastic singer and entertainer, Clare Jarvis.
Tickets available from Seaford Tourist Information Centre, 37 Church Street, Seaford, BN25 3NA, or please phone.