Advisers are seeing a surge in over-55s looking to help children and grandchildren onto the property ladder. The research from Key shows that retired homeowners are increasingly considering cashing in buy-to-lets, acting as guarantors as well as remortgaging or taking out new mortgages (including equity release) to help children and grandchildren on to the property ladder. 19% of mortgage advisers have had enquiries from older customers about selling buy-to-lets and holiday homes, while nearly a third (32%) have been asked about acting as guarantors to help their children or grandchildren onto the property ladder. That is on top of 28% who are investigating the option of remortgaging and 21% taking out new mortgages as the pressure builds on over-55s to share property wealth with the younger generations. Mortgage brokers estimated nearly half (47%) of first-time buyers are partially helped with their deposit by grandparents or parents, with only a third managing to go it alone without any financial support. This BOMAD boost means that brokers are confident in the market with 60% of brokers expect a rise in first-time buyer enquiries this year. Now might be a good time to seek advice from a whole of market broker. The Mortgage Bureau "Your One Stop Mortgage Shop!"