Posts tagged with 'Property Taxes'

Understanding Reverse Mortgages

  • Posted on January 3, 2011 at 9:17 am

Can’t remember how many times I’ve been asked “What is a reverse mortgage”? Reverse mortgages are a great way to get a loan using your primary asset. The flexibility, of course, comes at a price. A reverse mortgage is a loan using your property and is referred to as a “rising debt, falling equity” deal.

To compare reverse mortgage to a traditional one, the type of mortgage commonly used when buying a house is classified as a “forward mortgage”. To qualify for forward mortgage, you must have a steady source of income. Because the mortgage is secured by the asset, if you default on the payments, your can loose your home. Your equity is the difference between the balance mortgage amount and how much you’ve paid.You own the house when you make your final mortgage payment.

The reverse mortgage process doesn’t require that the applicant have great credit, or even to have a steady source of income. The major stipulation is that the house is owned by the applicant and a minimum age is required as well, the older the applicant, the higher the loan amount. Another less known requirement is that the reverse mortgage must be the sole debt against your house.

In a reverse mortgage your debt increases along with your equity. Instead of making any monthly payments, the amount loaned has interest added to it – which swallows up your equity bit by bit. If the loan is over a long period of time, when the mortgage comes due, there may be a large amount owed. On the other hand, if it was to increase, this could allow for an equity gain, but this isn’t typical of the marketplace.

There are a few options in withdrawing the money form the loan. It can be a single lump sum, regular monthly advances, or a credit account. There are conditions in this kind of mortgage that would warrant the immediate repayment of the loan; the mortgage will be due when the borrower dies, sells the house, or moves out.

Failure to pay your property taxes or insurance on the home will undoubtedly lead to a default as well. The lender can pay for these obligations to reduce your advances in order to cover the expenses. Be sure you read the loan documents carefully and in detail and also make a point to understand all the conditions that can cause your loan to become due.

Types Of Reverse Mortgage Options

  • Posted on December 27, 2010 at 9:17 am

There are many different reverse mortgage options: single purpose reverse mortgages, federally insured reverse mortgages, and proprietary (private sector) reverse mortgages. Every option has its fair share of pros and cons that need to be considered.

Single-Purpose Reverse Mortgages

A single purpose reverse mortgage is the lowest-cost type of reverse mortgages to obtain, but as the name indicates it can only be used for one specified purpose. These type of mortgages are expedited by state or local government agencies. These loans a great for individuals who need cash for a purposes like paying property taxes or fixing up their own residence. Here are descriptions for several different types of single purpose reverse mortgages:

Property tax deferral (PTD) mortgages are reverse mortgages that provide loan advances for paying property taxes.

Deferred payment loans (DPLs) home improvement reverse mortgages provided in a lump sum disbursement method.

Federally Insured Reverse Mortgages

This type of reverse mortgage is only iinsured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). These reverse mortgage are perhaps one of the cheaper multi-purpose reverse mortgages currently available. Overall they typically provide the largest total cash benefits of all the reverse mortgage options.These loans are also known as HECM or Home Equity Conversion Mortgages.

Proprietary Reverse Mortgages

A proprietary reverse mortgage is a mortgage product owned by a private company. These type of loans are more costlier then the other reverse mortgage types and you are advised to approach with caution. Those interested in these type loans should get a comparison with a similiar HECM. The benefit of proprietary reverse mortgages are of its ability to offer higher home value within its limitation.

the higher home value limits. So, if you live in a home that is worth a lot more than the average home value in your county, a proprietary loan may give you greater loan advances than a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM).

Just like any other financial decision, you should get professional help to decide which option is best for your current situation. Reverse mortgage counselors can help you evaluate each of your options and help you make an informed decision.

The Mechanism Of A Reverse Mortgage

  • Posted on November 29, 2010 at 9:17 am

Homeowners over the age 62 may find reverse mortgage as a benefitial option and should discuss with a lender or counselor before deciding on taking up one. These types of loans offer a way to borrow against the equity in your home to create a stable, continuous and tax free source of usable income or a substantial source of supplemental income, all without having to change your current living conditions.

The good news is that you arent required to repay any amount on the loan as long as you live in your house and do not breach any of the terms and conditions set forth. However it is important that you are diligent in researching this unique loan product as it may not be right for every situation. This is why we encourage any potential borrower interested in a reverse mortgage to investigate their options first with a HUD certified counselor or lender.

While simple to understand in theory, it is important to know how reverse mortgages work. The reverse mortgage loan product got its name due to the fact that instead of making mortgage payments, the lender actually pays the borrower creating a kind of inverse relationship compared to the traditional mortgage product. The source of funds for the money received is the equity stored in your home. The unique feature of this loan is that unlike conventional mortgages where the loan balance becomes smaller each moth you make a payment, the loan balance of a reverse mortgage grows larger over time.

The principal on the loan increases with each payment received, this includes interest and other charges accrued each month on the total funds advanced to you. You retain ownership of your home in all reverse mortgages, and many do not require repayment for as long as you occupy your home, pay your property taxes and hazard insurance charges, and continue to maintain the property.

When you leave your home permanently your loan balance becomes due. It is also important to note that your legal obligation to repay the loan cannot be more than the market value of your house at the time you leave the property. This means that your lender can never require repayment of the loan from your heirs or from any asset other than the property itself.

Today the two major types of reverse mortgage loan provided by the Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association) are the HECM and Home Keeper. These loans see to it that the borrower will never owe more than the loan balance or the value of its real estate, whichever is less,and no assets other than the home must be used to repay the debt.

Reverse Mortgage Information – Who Qualifies For Reverse Mortgages

  • Posted on September 20, 2010 at 9:17 am

Reverse mortgages can be a great solution for seniors who wish to remain in their home but are having difficulty making their monthly payments and meeting other financial obligations. If you are over age 62 and own your own home, the bank will actually pay you money so you can stay in your home, rather than the other way around. It is important to collect as much reverse mortgage information as possible before deciding whether to take out the loan.

Anyone is eligible for a reverse mortgage loan, even if they have no income. Your home must be a single family residence in a one to four unit dwelling, a condominium or some type of manufactured home. Cooperatives and most mobile homes are not eligible. The home must be at least one year old and you have to first meet with an authorized counselor.

You can obtain the loan as a lump sum payment, a fixed monthly amount or as a line of credit that you use whenever you need it. The money can be used for just about any purpose. This can include paying property taxes or medical bills, home repairs and improvements, paying off credit cards or just daily living expenses. The amount of money you receive depends upon your age, the amount of equity in the home, its appraised value and current interest rates. The reverse mortgage loan does not have to be repaid until you sell the home, permanently move out, or pass away. Your loan could also become due if you allow the property to deteriorate, you fail to pay property taxes or hazard insurance, or if the last surviving borrower does not occupy the home for 12 months in a row due to illness.

There are some fees involved with a reverse mortgage loan, similar to those you would incur with a regular mortgage. These include origination fees which cover the lenders operating expenses and are currently capped at the greater of 2,000 or 2% of the maximum FHA loan limit. In addition you will be required to take out mortgage insurance and pay an appraisal fee which ranges between 300 – 400. Other closing costs include fees for a credit report (usually under 20), flood certification, closing and title search, document preparation, recording, courier, pest inspection and a land survey. In addition, a monthly service set-aside fee of 30-35 per month will be charged.

When you meet with your counselor, you should be able to obtain all the reverse mortgage information you require before you make your final decision. It will be nice to have the option of staying in your own home if that is what you desire.

Reverse Mortgages Eligibility Information

  • Posted on August 23, 2010 at 9:17 am

Reverse mortgages can be a great solution for seniors who wish to remain in their home but are having difficulty making their monthly payments and meeting other financial obligations. If you own your own home and is 62 years of age, the bank will actually pay you money so you can stay in your home, rather than the other way around. It is crucial to collect and understand as much reverse mortgage information as possible before deciding on whether to take out the loan.

Your home must be a single family residence in a one to four unit dwelling, a condominium or some type of manufactured home. While ccoperatives and most mobile homes are not eligible for this type of loan. The home must be at least one year old and you have to first meet with an authorized counselor.

The loan can be obtained as a lump sum payment, a fixed monthly amount or as a line of credit and the money can be used for just about any purpose such as paying property taxes or medical bills, home repairs and improvements, paying off credit cards or just daily living expenses.

The approval of loan amount depends upon your age, the amount of equity in the home, its appreciated value and current interest rates indications.

The reverse mortgage loan does not require you to pay anything until you sell the home, permanently move out, or pass away. Your loan could also become due if you do not maintain as agreed or you fail to pay property taxes/ hazard insurance and if if the last surviving borrower does not occupy the home for 12 months in a row due to illness.

The fees involved in a reverse mortgage loan are quite similar to those you would incur with a regular mortgage. These include origination fees which cover the lenders operating expenses and are currently capped at the greater of $2,000 or 2% of the maximum FHA loan limit. Apart from that you will be required to take out a mortgage insurance and pay an appraisal fee. Other costs include fees for credit reports (usually under $20), flood certification, closing and title search, document preparation, recording, courier, pest inspection and a land survey. In addition, a monthly service of $30-35 per month will be charged.

Your counselor will be your principal guide to getting correct information on reverse mortgages and should be consulted for advise before making final decisions.

Ready to Trade-In Your Home? Perhaps You Should Remodel Instead!

  • Posted on June 14, 2010 at 9:17 am

Ready to Trade-In Your Home? Perhaps You Should Remodel Instead!

Moving:
A good local real estate agent should be able to assist you with estimates on these numbers.

How much will it cost to purchase a home that will meet your needs?

How much could you sell your existing home for? Don’t forget to subtract the agent’s commission from this total.

What will it cost to move? According to real estate consultant and best-selling author of Remodel or Move, Dan Fritschen, a typical move costs 10% of the value of your home.

How much will your property taxes increase as a result of the move?

Remodeling:
What projects do you want to have done and how much will they cost? An architect or general contractor will be able to assist you with these figures.

How much will the improvements add to the value of your home, also known as the “payback”? A local real estate agent can assist with this as well.

If the decision about whether to renovate or move were purely a financial one, then it would be quite easy to look at the numbers and come to the right conclusion. However, there are also emotional factors that come into play, and they have a value as well. Let’s consider some examples.

Reasons you may want to move:

If you relocate to a new neighborhood, your children could attend superior schools.

You would like to reduce your commute or have better access to local amenities, such as restaurants and shopping.

You’re not particularly fond of your current neighborhood.

Your yard is too small, and you cannot expand it.

Reasons you may want to stay and remodel:

You’re happy with your location. It’s convenient, you love your neighbors, and the schools are either excellent or are not a factor.

You love the layout of your home.

All you need is a little more space, and your home will be perfect.

Of course only you know what is truly important for your happiness, so try to use these questions as a starting point. Create a list of the pros and cons of each scenario and leave it someplace accessible, so that you and your spouse can add to it as you think of additional factors. You may also want to consider attending open houses and visiting new housing developments to see what is available and how your home compares.

Once you’ve completed your list and your financial assessment, it’s time to draw some conclusions. Are the numbers and the emotional factors pointing you in a clear direction? If you’re still feeling unsure and would like some additional assistance, you may want to read Dan Fritschen’s book, Remodel or Move, or visit his website. Both contain a calculator that will assist you with the difficult task of quantifying the ramifications of your decision. In addition, you can learn tips to assist you with the next step, after you’ve determined what it will be.

If you choose to remodel, then you’ll need to have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish before finalizing any details with the contractor or architect. One of the most expensive things you can do is change the project midstream.

If you decide to move, then there are low-cost improvements you can make to your existing home that will help it to sell more quickly. The kitchen and the bathrooms provide the biggest return on investment in this area.

Whether you decide to remodel or buy a new home, it’s important to ensure that you have proper financing in place prior to moving forward. If you decide to purchase a home, a mortgage originator will help you to determine how much you can afford, as well as which loan package works best with your overall financial plan. In the case of remodeling, you should meet with a mortgage professional before any construction takes place. Otherwise you may severely limit the type of financing options available to you.

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