Posts tagged with 'Reverse Mortgage'

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.

Reverse Mortgages For Seniors

  • Posted on November 8, 2010 at 9:17 am

Reverse mortgage has become popular in America these days, these are special type of mortgage that helps an homeowner to convert his home equity into cash, this boost up the American older financial security by helping them to meet unexpected medical expenses, home improvement and many more.

The homeowners should be 62 years and older who has already settled any mortgage they have already got it or has remaining small amount of mortgage balance are the eligible people to take up this Reverse mortgage by HUDs.

Homeowners would be able to receive the payment in a lump sum or can receive on monthly basis for a fixed period of time or as long as they live in the house, this mortgage can be changed according to the circumstances of the homeowners, unlike other mortgages the HUDs reverse mortgage for seniors do not require repayments from the borrowers as long as they live in that home, the lender will recover the principal amount along with the interest at the time of the house being sold out, and the balance amount will be paid to the house owner or her or his survivors, incase the amount received by selling the house is not sufficient to pay the amount that has been borrowed , HUD will take up the responsibility to pay the shortage amount to the lender. The Federal Housing Administrations that is a part of HUD is responsible to collect the insurance premium from the borrowers for providing the coverage.

The amount of reverse mortgage for seniors will be decided based on the age, interest rate and the value of the house of the borrower, in this type of mortgage the older the borrower the greater the amount that is lent. For instance based on todays rate of interest 9% approximately a 65 yrs old person can borrow 26% of the value of his home and 75 yrs old person could get 39% of the value of the home and 85 yrs old man get 56% of the value of the home.

To get this reverse mortgage from the HUD you need not present any income proof or show any kind of asset, and there is also no limitation for the value of the homes that is being qualified under HUDs reverse mortgage. The home owners are charged 2% of the value of the home as up front fees plus one half percent of the balance loan amount every year and this amount can be usually paid by the lender and further charged in the principal amount borrowed by the home owner.

Reverse Mortgages Can Benefit Elderly

  • Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:17 am

Reverse mortgages are available through lenders insured by the federal government and can be of great benefit to those who are eligible to apply. There are three types of reverse mortgages currently available in the United States, including Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM), Fannie Mae (FNMA) Home Keeper and Financial Freedom Cash Accounts. The basic premise of a reverse mortgage is that it allows homeowners over the age of sixty-two to convert part of the equity in their homes into tax-free income without having to sell the home, give up the title to the home, or take on a new monthly mortgage payment. The reverse mortgage is titled as such because lenders pay the borrower fixed payments or a lump sum over time as opposed to a traditional mortgage arrangement. Eligible property includes single-family dwellings, manufactured homes built after June 1976, condominiums and town houses.

The process for applying for a reverse mortgage is more involved than with a traditional mortgage. Aside from meeting the age and property type restrictions, applicants must discuss the loan with a counselor employed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development prior to signing. There are five different types of payment methods for each United States government insured loan available, allowing for flexibility to meet the needs of the applicants. These include monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual payments to the borrower for a fixed number of periods or a lump sum that can be invested.

Repayment terms also vary by the interest rate, as with traditional mortgages. Those who choose variable rate mortgages will pay over one percent less since the risk assumed by the borrower for agreeing to monthly adjustable rate calculations can greatly increase their risk over the life of the mortgage. The total of the mortgage is due when the house is no longer occupied by the borrower and can be paid by the borrower or by his or her heirs in the event of death.

While many consider borrowing to be a bad idea later in life, reverse mortgages simply allow seniors to enjoy the equity they have already established without carrying the risk of having to meet monthly payments while on a reduced or fixed income. This can substantially increase the quality of life for many older Americans and allow them to enjoy the fruits of their life long labor.

Reverse Mortgages and Government Benefits

  • Posted on October 18, 2010 at 9:17 am

Reverse mortgages are increasing in popularity as a way to turn home equity into a liquid asset. Before you jump on a reverse mortgage, you need to understand the impact it can have on government benefits.

Reverse Mortgages and Government Benefits

The beauty of home ownership is found in the value of time. The longer you own a home, the more valuable it becomes to you as an asset. On one hand, you are paying off the mortgage over time, which is increasing the equity you have in your property. On the other, real estate tends to appreciate over time. This double whammy is what makes home ownership so attractive.

As your grow older and retire, converting your home equity into usable cash becomes an issue. Reverse mortgages are touted as a solution. A reverse mortgage is essentially a loan against your equity that does not need to be repaid until an event happens, usually the sale of the home. Essentially, you have reversed the process of a traditional mortgage. The lender is now giving you money in exchange for a piece of your home equity. You can get payments in lump sums, monthly or through credit lines depending upon the particular package you go with. As time passes, the equity in your home is reduced, but you have a solid and predictable monthly revenue source.

In recent years, the government has tried to find methods for reducing the amount of benefits they pay out to citizens. One of the factors they like to use is the asset value you hold. If you have a certain amount of assets, your benefits are reduced or terminated because they government takes the position you do not need them. An analysis of government benefits is beyond the scope of this article, but reverse mortgages have an impact.

Generally, taking a reverse mortgage on your home will not affect Medicare or social security benefits. This is true, however, only so long as you spend the full amount you receive each month. The magic number in this equation is $2,000 for single homeowners and $3,000 for couples. The government is always playing with benefit issues, so make sure you get up to date information on the situation. You want to understand what you are getting into, particularly if you are heavily reliant on Medicare for the payment of medical bills.

In general, reverse mortgages do not impact most government benefits. That being said, make sure to get an informed opinion on exactly what will happen before you agree to a reverse mortgage.

Reverse Mortgages Funding Retirement

  • Posted on October 11, 2010 at 9:17 am

With people living longer and longer, funding retirement can become a stressful situation. Reverse mortgages can help home owners avoid worries about cash flow.

Reverse Mortgages

Reverse mortgages are essentially a method for turning the equity in your home into cash. Although there are various options, a typical reverse mortgage will provide you with a lump sum, monthly payments or a credit line based on the equity in your home. The mortgage will have a term of a certain number of years. Instead of making payments on the loan, the bank will become the owner of the percentage of your equity applied for the loan at the end of the term.

Reverse mortgages are only available to older applicants. Every person listed on the deed of the home must be 62 years of age or older. You must also use the home as your primary residence.

The decision to pursue a reverse mortgage can be a tricky one. The biggest issue is an emotional one. We are all mentally trained to buy a home and try to build equity over the years. With a reverse mortgage, we are making the mental leap to actually reduce the equity in our homes. While this may sound like a sensible method for using the nest egg equity, it makes you, me and everyone very nervous.

For some seniors, the reverse mortgage decision makes sense while it doesnt for others. To limit the potential for problems and scams, banks are required to have senior applicants meet with unbiased third parties to determine the benefits and downside of using reverse mortgages.

If you or your parents have reached retirement age and are facing cash flow problems, you need to become flexible in dealing with finances. Reverse mortgages may be one flexible option that makes sense for your particular situation. After all, you cant take the equity in a home with you.

Reverse Mortgages A Tax Free Income For Senior Citizens

  • Posted on October 4, 2010 at 9:17 am

Reverse Mortgages A Tax Free Income For Senior Citizens

I fully realize if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is and There Aint No Such Thing As A Free Lunch (TANSTAAFL) immediately jumped into your head when you read the title of this article. However, if you are 62 or over, you may have just found the goose that laid the golden egg.

A reverse mortgage is exactly what the name implies. Rather than you paying a monthly sum of money to a mortgage company, a mortgage company pays you. There are three types of reverse mortgages and all have the same eligibility requirements.

You must be at least 62, live in, and own, your home and sign a contract. You must also have equity in your home and the inherent interest rate is based on what the lender is currently charging (more about this later) on non-reverse mortgages. The lender, by the way, will also have your property appraised for which you may or may not be charged.

There are no income restrictions such as those imposed by Social Security and most are tax free since they do not involve additional features such as an attached annuity. They also do not affect your social security benefits nor your Medicare entitlements.

This article discusses only those mortgages without additional features. Should you wish to know more about reverse mortgages with additional features, consult with a competent tax professional to reduce the chances of running afoul of tax laws.

The FTCs website, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/online/pubs/homes/rms.htm has an excellent article on reverse mortgages but it also does not discuss mortgages with additional features. Another reason to consult with a tax professional.

This tool called reverse mortgage is actually a loan, hence an interest rate, which allows senior citizens, or as some say, the elderly, to convert part of their equity into cash without having to sell their home. Because it is a loan in reverse you are receiving a monthly sum and not paying a monthly amount while you live in your home.

However, this loan must be repaid and repaid with interest should you sell, die, no longer live their as your principal residence or reach the end of the pre-selected loan period. You remain responsible to pay real estate taxes, insurance and all attendant maintenance expenses which, of course, you would have to pay with, or without, a reverse mortgage.

With this explanation, the picture becomes more focused, right? You enjoy a monthly sum, tax free and non-repayable until a date sometime in the future, while remaining in your home. As close to a win-win situation as one can get in this day and age.

It doesnt take a rocket scientist to realize anyone who is cash poor but house rich should at least investigate this tool. However, like any other instrument involving your signature on the dotted line involving financial obligation, you must have some preliminary information.

I mentioned there are three types of reverse mortgages. The first is the single purpose reverse mortgage. These are offered by some sate and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

They may not be available in your area. Call your countys Department of Senior Services. Their phone number is in the white pages under the listing for your county.

Single purpose means exactly that. The proceeds may be used for only the purpose specified by the lender and generally are only made to people with low or moderate incomes. If you call your county, be sure to ask if their reverse mortgage is a single purpose and what are the limits.

The second type of reverse mortgage is called a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM). The federal government insures these mortgages and they are backed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The up front costs are generally high especially if you plan on staying in your home for a short period of time but they carry no income or medical restrictions and can be used for any purpose.

HECMs also require all applicants to meet with a counselor from an independent government approved housing counseling agency. The FTC says, The counselor must explain the loans costs, financial implications, and alternatives. For example, counselors should tell you about government or nonprofit programs for which you may qualify, and any single-purpose or proprietary reverse mortgages available in your area.

An additional benefit of an HECM mortgage is the nursing home clause. Should a borrower have to move out of her home and into a nursing home or other medical facility, she has up to 12 months before the loan becomes due. This enhances financial planning.

The third type is called a proprietary reverse mortgage. These are private loans backed by the companies offering them. In other words, they are NOT government insured. Like HECMs, the upfront cost could be high for a proprietary reverse mortgage.

A reverse mortgage, cost wise, is like a non-reverse mortgage. The lender usually charges loan origination fees, closing costs, insurance premiums (for insured loans) and service fees which are all set by the lender.

Fortunately, like non-reverse mortgages, the federal Truth In Lending Act (TILA) applies to reverse mortgages. This means the lender MUST disclose the costs and terms of the reverse mortgage you are considering.

The annual percentage rate (APR) and payment terms must be prominently displayed and not in the fine print. If you choose a credit line as your loan, lenders must tell you the charges related to not only opening but using this credit account.

Another word about the interest rate since it too mirrors the non-reverse mortgage. Just as with a non-reverse mortgage, an interest rate can be fixed or variable with variable rates tied to a financial index. This means the rate will change as the index changes.

TILA forces the lender to disclose this information. TILA does not force the lender to tell you the reverse mortgage may, or may not, use up all of your equity. If a non-recourse clause is included in the contract, and most have them, you must be told you will not owe more than the value of your home when the loan is repaid. This is a good thing.

Of the three, the HECM is the most flexible. It lets you select the way you receive your money. For example, you can receive fixed monthly cash advances for a specified period or for as long as you live in your home. Or, if you choose, you can receive a line of credit.

A line of credit allows you to draw on the loan proceeds when you want and how much you want. The HECM allows a combination of the two choices. You can receive a monthly payment plus a line of credit.

The key is to read and understand every clause in the contract before signing and do not be afraid to ask questions about what you dont understand. Dont let a huge monthly payment cloud your judgment and decision making ability.

Both HUD and the FTC have toll free numbers and websites to help you in making an informed decision. HUD can be called at 1-888-466-3487 with their web address at:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hecm/rmtopen.cfm while the FTC can be called at 1-877-382-4357 with their web address at: http://www.ftc.gov/credit

After reading the above information you may have decided the goose with the golden eggs is really a vulture waiting to pounce on your carcass. Or, you may have decided the gooses eggs are worth your time and attention. Either way, you are now a more informed consumer.

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Reverse Mortgages Benefits From Fed Governments

  • Posted on August 16, 2010 at 9:17 am

Reverse mortgages are increasing in popularity as a way to turn home equity into a liquid asset. Before you jump on a reverse mortgage, you need to understand the impact it can have on government benefits.

The beauty of home ownership is found in the value of time. The longer you own a home, the more valuable it become. On one hand, you are paying off the mortgage over time, which is increasing the equity you have in your property. The other finds your real estate appreciate over time. This double whammy is what makes home ownership so attractive.

Retirement and old age will become an issue when you need to convert your home equity into usable cash. Reverse mortgages are touted as a solution. A reverse mortgage is a loan against your equity that does not need to be repaid until an event happens, usually the sale of the home or your death.. Essentially, you have reversed the process of a traditional mortgage. The lender is now giving you money in exchange for a piece of your home equity. Payments are expedited in lump sums, monthly or through credit lines depending upon the particular package you go with. As the clock ticks, the equity in your home is reduced, but you will have a reliable and predictable monthly revenue source.

Over the years, the fed has tried to find ways to reduce the amount of benefits they pay out to citizens. One of the factors they like to use is the asset value you hold. If you have a certain amount of assets, your benefits are reduced or terminated because they government takes the position you do not need them. An analysis of government benefits is beyond the scope of this article, but reverse mortgages have an impact.

Basically, be assured that taking a reverse mortgage on your home will not affect Medicare or social security benefits. This is true, however, only so long as you spend the full amount you receive each month. The government is always playing with benefit issues, so make sure you get up to date information on the situation. You will want to understand what you are getting into, particularly if you rely heavily on Medicare for the payment of medical bills.

In general, reverse mortgages do not impact most government benefits. That being said, make sure to get an informed opinion on exactly what will happen before you agree to a reverse mortgage.

Reverse Mortgage is For You

  • Posted on July 19, 2010 at 9:17 am

Seniors would want to enjoy their golden years but are usually left stranded with decreasing income or the inability to increase their monthly income. One of the better ways to overcome this problem is by obtaining a loan called a reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage enables homeowners older than sixty two years of age to convert the equity in their homes into tax-free income while they continue to live in that property. Seniors will be paid by the lender according to the current value of the property, in contrast with a traditional mortgage where monthly payments are made to the lender.

How do you know if a reverse mortgage is right for you and that you would not end up sleeping on the streets? Reverse mortgages are indeed an excellent option for many living in their twilight years, but will take careful planning and consideration. Since the pay out terms can be structured in a variety of ways, it is essential to look at the amount you are able to get from your home and your long term financial needs.There are of course no restrictions on the use of funds, meaning you can do anything you like with the proceeds of a reverse mortgage, including home improvements and daily expenses.

Reverse mortgages won’t affect regular Social Security or Medicare benefits. MedicAid eligibility may be affected in some instances. Counseling is a mandatory for those who wish to apply for a reverse mortgage. Look for a counselor from a government sponsored lending agency if you need them to answer all your questions convincingly or those related to benefit reductions.

Reverse mortgages is a very effective method in supplementing your post retirement income but you must be aware of how the pay out structure can positively lessen your worries on the long term financial picture. Make an informed decision. Simply view all the information available before taking up a reverse mortgage. The good news is for those who have paid the majority or their entire home, their post retirement lifestyle need not be hampered by a lack of cash flow.

Reverse Mortgage In A Nutshell

  • Posted on July 12, 2010 at 9:17 am

Reverse mortgages are becoming popular among the senior citizens. They give seniors cash in lieu of the part ownership of their home property

If you want to go for a reverse mortgage, the information below will help you:

For senior citizens above 62 years, lenders offer instant cash without any monthly repayments by converting the equity that has been build up overtime in the seniors’ home into cash.

This mortgage allows you to stay in your own home and get a monthly income which will help you sustain a comfortable standard of living.

The cash received from the mortgage is non-taxable since it is a loan and not income. The advantages seem to be very attractive but in the long term the risks far outweigh the benefits. Unlike a traditional mortgage, the lender pays you money based on the equity in the home. The lender will of course impose some strict conditions on you. You can only get a reverse on a primary residence. If you die, sell home or move out from your existing residence, you need to pay back the loan along with the accrued interest. To do that, you will have to sell off the home. Besides, if you want to leave the house as an inheritance, you will not be able to do so.

How much mortgage will I get?

You can get any amount between 10 to 40% of the value of home obtained after appraisal depending on your age, the present rate of interest and the value of the property.

Online reverse mortgage quotes can be obtained through the internet. There are lots of reverse mortgage websites,whether it be a fed site or a private lender site, which would be useful to you.

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