New research from fresh-tasting consumer intelligence analysts Mintel suggests there's a good chance that while you might think you're going to end up with Mum and Dad's three-bedroom family home, the reality is that you'll be lucky to get Mum's collection of whimsies. The reason is equity release. Eleven percent of homeowners have already entered into some kind of equity release scheme to provide money for their old age, and a further 19 percent are considering it right now. A Mintel analyst, quoted here, reckons that in the coming years equity release schemes will become "a key financial planning tool", as expensive houses but under-performing pensions leave a generation of retired people asset-rich and cash-poor.