Reverse Mortgage Loans

Reverse Mortgages are specialized home loans for those are 62 years or older. They can be very useful to those wanting to tap into their home’s equity to get themselves some cash flow. 

What is a Reverse Mortgage Loan?

Also known as home equity conversion mortgages (HECM), reverse mortgage loans allow homeowners age 62 and over to access a portion of their home’s equity which they have built up over the years. Payment of the loan is deferred until the homeowner sells their home, access a portion of their home’s equity, moves out of their home, dies, or otherwise fails to comply with the loan terms. There are no required monthly mortgage payments on a reverse mortgage loan, meaning that the interest of the loan is added to the loan’s principal balance every month. However, borrowers are required to continue paying property taxes, property insurance, and maintaining the home according to FHA guidelines

 

Let’s say an elderly couple has a conventional 30 year mortgage, they borrowed $300,000, and have a remaining balance of $50,000 left. This means that their equity is $250,000. If the couple decides to use a reverse mortgage loan, they then tap into their home’s equity and are able to access cash. This can be particularly useful for older homeowners who want to pull equity out of their home and not increase their monthly expenses.

Requirements

To be eligible for a reverse mortgage, the FHA requires all borrowers on title be 62 years or older. Borrowers must also meet financial eligibility criteria as laid out by HUD (Housing and Urban Development). Most single -family homes, two-to-four unit owner-occupied dwellings, townhouses, and approved condominiums are eligible for a reverse mortgage. This is contingent on the property meeting FHA minimum property standards.

Benefits

Reverse mortgage loans give homeowners the ability to use their equity as a cash source. This is especially useful for homeowners who do not have a steady paycheck to support them. A reverse mortgage loan can then be seen as a way for seniors to maintain their lifestyle without sacrificing time or other treasured assets. Homeowners can receive their loan in a variety of ways:

 

  • Tenure: equal monthly payments – as long as at least one borrower lives and continues to occupy the property as a principal residence.
  • Term: equal monthly payments for a fixed period of months selected.
  • Line of Credit: unscheduled payments or in installments, at times of your choosing, and in amounts of your choosing, until the line of credit is exhausted.
  • Modified Tenure: combination of line of credit and scheduled monthly payments for as long as you remain in the home.
  • Modified Term: combination of line of credit plus monthly payments for a fixed period of months selected by the borrower.
  • Single Disbursement Lump Sum: a single lump sum disbursement at mortgage closing.

 

Before you embark on a reverse mortgage, it’s best to have an idea of how much money you would like to draw out of your home to avoid taking out too much or too little. 

Risks

Although the advantages are straightforward, there are very real risks tied to reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgages come with larger closing costs, up to 5% of your home’s value in some cases. The loan also gets larger over time, increasing what it would cost for potential inheritors to pay for the home. Lastly, reverse mortgages are not well understood by many individuals, increasing the likelihood that borrowers may not utilize their loan the best way. Borrowers must be aware of the risk of foreclosure if they do not comply with the loan terms.

Have more questions?

The best way to know if a reverse mortgage is right for you is to speak with a loan professional at Equity Smart. Fill in the form below and one of our best will reach out quickly!

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