Posts tagged with 'Reverse Mortgages'

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 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 Evaluated With A Mortgage Calculator

  • Posted on November 1, 2010 at 9:17 am

If you are like most retired adults, you own a home but have very little else for retirement. However, if you sell your house, you won’t have a place to live! So here’s your problem: you need money to live on, but the only thing that you own of value is the place you live.

A reverse mortgage can give you the answer this retirement dilemma. This option sells your house a piece at a time, instead of all at once. Also, you get to live in your home. You can use a mortgage calculator to determine the monthly cost of home equity loans or refinancing. Also, you can use this mortgage calculator to figure out how much your loan would cost you in total.

First, call a real estate agent. They will be more than happy to tell you how much your home would sell for, and how to increase its value. Depending on your level of savvy and the time you could commit to it, this could pay off handsomely. The reason is that the amount that a reverse mortgage will pay you is based on your home’s value. So, if there is an easy way to increase the value of your home, do it before applying for a reverse mortgage.

You can use a mortgage calculator to find out if you should get a home equity loan before you get your reverse mortgage. The mortgage calculator will tell you how much, in total, a home equity loan would cost you for the short time between the repairs and the reverse mortgage. But be careful. Don’t spend more remodeling than it will increase your home’s value. Also, if you love something about your house, don’t change it. After all, you still get to live in it.

Okay, now that you know how much your house would sell for, it is time to look into a reverse mortgage loan. You can use a special mortgage calculator to find out how much each different loan would give you. This mortgage calculator bases its results on four things: your age, your house’s value, your house’s location and your lender. More than one company offers a mortgage calculator, so it is best to check with AARP to see if it is a valid program. The mortgage calculator on their website is very simple, but it is a good place to start.

But why is it called a loan? Because, when you are done with the house, the lender wants money, not the house. Of course, if the house sells for more than you were paid, your heirs may get some of it. This is a detail you should work out when you get the loan. Again, there are mortgage calculator programs to help you figure this out. If you still have a loan on your property, you will have to pay it off before you get your money.

Once you have done your own research, it is time to talk to a professional. The real estate agent that you spoke to before should be glad to give you a list of good lenders and mortgage brokers. They will walk you through the process. Read every document. Ask questions about anything that you don’t understand. And soon, instead of paying a mortgage every month, you will be able to receive a check instead.

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 Mortgage Lenders

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

You’ve made the decision that you need some extra assistance in meeting your monthly financial obligations. One of the best options for those over sixty-two years of age who own their own home is a reverse mortgage. Instead of you paying the bank each month, the bank will actually pay you. The loan can be taken out as a lump sum, a fixed monthly payment or as a line of credit. You do not have to pay back the loan until you sell your home or move out permanently. There are many reverse mortgage lenders such as banks and credit unions that you can contact to obtain details about these loans. Rates may vary so you will want to check around with various banks before deciding. There are several types of reverse mortgage loans and they include the following:

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage – HECMs are the oldest types of reverse mortgage loans and the most popular. They are insured by the federal government through the Federal Housing Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The amount of money you can take out as a reverse mortgage loan depends upon your age, the appraised value of your home, current interest rates and the location of your home. The older you are and the higher the equity (what it would sell for less what you still owe), the higher the loan amount can be. For 2006, the loan limit for a home in a rural area is 200,160 while the limit for high cost areas is 362,790.

Another reverse home mortgage product that you can obtain from a lender is the Fannie Mae Home Keeper. Fannie Mae is the largest investor of home mortgages in the country and a major investor in reverse mortgages. Fannie Mae developed its own reverse mortgage product as an alternative to the HECM to address the needs of customers who had a higher property value on their home. Home Keeper loans can be larger than HECMs because their mortgage limit is higher. Another Fannie Mae reverse mortgage product is the Home Keeper for Home Purchase program. This is for seniors who wish to use the reverse mortgage loan to buy a new home. For example, let’s say someone sold his home for a 60,000 profit and wants to buy a new house for 100,000. He could get a reverse mortgage using money from a Home Keeper loan so he would not have to use his savings to purchase the more expensive home.

The opportunities are endless for borrowing against the equity in your home from reverse mortgage lenders you can depend upon.

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