The opinions expressed on these pages are not necessarily the views of the BBC but will be reflective of the messages we have been sent.

We have invested every penny we have earned in our property, and regard our house as our pension. In view of the recent disasters with pension plans we feel we have made a better decision. To continue to live here we had no other alternative but to raise money on the property. We consulted widely before taking out the mortgage, including our children who have been totally supportive.
Peter Hayes-Davies, Cornwall

I hope Brian finds a solution, and I do believe that these equity release products contain far too many pitfalls to be considered unless there are no other alternatives.
Zak Zaman

The requirements of the lenders are remarkably strict and it turns out that the business is not as simple as it seemed at the outset to obtain the money. We are trying to get equity release. We began in December 2002 and are still trying! The nit picking is still going on and the legal charges are rising.
Theodore Whalley, Haverfordwest

Your very interesting programme on equity release has set me thinking. You mentioned that another way of releasing capital on your house would be to move to a cheaper property, however one must take into account the cost of moving. If I were to buy a house in Suffolk for �260,000 - releasing capital to me of about �60,000 - what with stamp duty at 3%, estate agent's fees at 1.5%, surveys, solicitors and removal costs which could come to around �16,000 in total, this amount would be reduced to �44,000 and that's without the cost of new carpets, curtains etc. I will be looking closely at a reversionary mortgage. Thank you for an enjoyable and thought-provoking programme.
Peter Ferriroli, South Croydon

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BBC Radio 4's Inside Money was broadcast on Saturday, 23 August, 2003, at 12:00 BST and Monday, 25 August, 2003, at 15:00 BST.