You've been told your endowment won't cover the mortgage capital. Should you keep investing in the policy or get out? Not an easy choice, but to help, John Edwards outlines the options.

Buy-to-let and residential properties are expected to receive a boost in value from new rules for pension funds to be introduced from April 6 2006. Under the radical new regime, self invested pension plans (known as Sipps) will be allowed to invest in residential property for the first time.