Reverse mortgages are a form of loan utilized by those at age 62 or older with substantial equity in their houses. Through borrowing against equity, seniors can gain access to money to pay for living costs in later life, typically after they’ve exhausted other savings or income sources. By using a reverse mortgage, homeowners can obtain the cash they require at rates that start lower than 3.5 percent annually.
What is a Reverse Mortgage?
Imagine a reverse loan as a conventional mortgage, where the roles change. A traditional mortgage gets a loan to purchase a house and then pays back the lender in time. With a reverse mortgage, the homeowner has already owned the home and borrows against it, receiving a loan from a lender who they will not ever payback.
At the final point, many reverse mortgage loans don’t return the loan. Instead, when the borrower moves or dies, their descendants will sell the property to pay back the loan. The borrower (or his estate) receives any extra money in the event of a sale.
Most reverse mortgages are granted through government-backed programs with strict lending guidelines and rules. Some private or proprietary reverse mortgages are offered by private lenders that are not banks. However, they are less controlled and carry a higher risk of scams.
How Does It Work?
The process of obtaining reverse mortgages is straightforward: It begins with a borrower who owns a home. The borrower may have substantial house equity (usually at less than 50 percent of the home’s value) or have paid off completely. The borrower is convinced that they require the cash flow that comes from taking equity out of their home, and so they collaborate with an expert in reverse mortgages to find a lender and an option.
When the borrower has decided on one particular loan program, they can apply to get the loan. The lender conducts an assessment of Credit and reviews the borrower’s property, including its title and its appraisal value. If the loan is approved, then the lender will fund the loan. The proceeds are in the form of a free lump sum or a Line of Credit or as periodic annuity payments (monthly or quarterly, for instance) following the type of loan the borrower selects.
Reverse Mortgage Eligibility
To be eligible for a reverse mortgage that the government backs, the newest owner of the property, which is mortgaged, has to be at least 62 older. The borrower can only take out a loan from their primary residence. They must either possess their home in full or keep at the minimum 50% equity in only one primary lien. In other words, they can’t hold an additional lien from something like a HELOC or another mortgage. If the borrower does not own their house in full typically, they must pay off their mortgage using the money from reverse mortgages.
In general, only certain types of properties are eligible for reverse mortgages. The suitable properties comprise:
- Single-family homes
- Multi-unit properties that have up to four units
- Home manufactured in the months following June 1976.
- Condos or townhomes
For reverse mortgages sponsored by the government, the borrowers must attend an informational session with a certified reverse mortgage advisor. They must also stay up-to-date with their homeowner’s insurance and property taxes and maintain their home in good shape.
Private reverse mortgages come with particular requirements for qualifying, which differ by the lender and the loan program.
Reverse Limits on Mortgage Borrowing
If you have a private reverse mortgage, there aren’t limitations on the amount you can take out. Limits and restrictions are decided by lenders individually.
But, with reverse mortgages that the government backs, homeowners are restricted from borrowing beyond the appraised value of their property as well as the FHA maximum amount for claims ($765,600). Instead, borrowers can borrow a small portion of the property’s value. A portion of the matter is used as collateral for costs for loans. Lenders will typically require having a buffer if property values decrease. Borrowing limits also change depending on the borrower’s age and Credit and the loan’s interest rate.
Costs of Reverse Mortgage
There are two main expenses for reverse mortgages backed by the government:
Rates of interest: They could be fixed when you pay the lump amount (with rates that start at 3.5%–a rate comparable to conventional mortgages but less than other loan products for home equity). If not, they’ll depend on rates based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and an additional margin to the lender.
Premiums for mortgage insurance: Federally backed reverse mortgages include a 2% upfront mortgage insurance fee with annual costs of 0.5 percent.
Mortgage insurance is designed to safeguard lenders in the event of default by the borrower. Although reverse mortgages don’t typically fail in the same way as conventional mortgages – when the borrower fails to pay their mortgage, they are still liable to default if owners don’t pay property taxes or insurance or do not properly maintain their homes.
Alongside these fees, in addition, lenders may charge origination fees of their own, and these vary depending on the lender, but usually vary from 1% to two percent from the total loan. Lenders also typically charge other fees, including for property appraisals, servicing/administering loans, and other closing costs, such as credit check fees.
Reverse Mortgage for Single-Purpose
Single-purpose loans are usually the cheapest kind that reverse mortgages are. They are offered by non-profit organizations and local and state governments to serve specific reasons and are set by the lending institution. The loans can be used to fund things like repairs or upgrades. However, they are only available in specific regions. You should also consider different types of personal loans that should consider while choosing the best one for you!
Who is a Reverse Mortgage the Best For?
Reverse mortgages don’t work for all. Certain borrowers are eligible However, their structure can only be suitable for certain kinds of borrowers. Reverse mortgages may be a good option for:
- Seniors who face major costs in their later years
- People who have exhausted the bulk of their savings, and who have substantial equity in their primary residences.
- People with no heirs would like to inherit their home
Who Should Be Aware Of A Reverse Mortgage?
There are a few instances when reverse mortgages are useful, there are a lot of reasons to stay clear of these. Reverse mortgages aren’t an option for you if:
- You won’t be able to locate a reliable lender or a reliable loan program.
- You have savings from outside or life insurance you can draw to pay for the costs
- There are heirs that want to inherit your property or family members who reside together with you and require to remain in the house following the expiration of the reverse mortgage
How and When to Repay A Reverse Mortgage?
The majority of people who get reverse mortgages don’t intend to ever pay them back in total. In fact, if you think you’ll be able to pay back your debt in its entirety, it might be best to stay clear of reverse mortgages completely.
In general reverse mortgages are required to be paid back once the borrower passes away, moves, or sells their home. The borrower (or their descendants) are able to either repay the loan but keep the property, or sell the house and utilize the proceeds to repay this loan. However, sellers keep any funds remaining after the loan has been paid back.
There is a possibility of having to repay a loan in cash or by selling your house if
Avoiding Reverse Mortgage Scams
Reverse mortgages that are backed by government agencies are generally extremely secure. However, a lot of ads that people see are reverse mortgages provided by private firms. If you’re dealing with a private lender or even a private business that claims to broker loans for government agencies, it’s crucial that borrowers are mindful.
Here are some signs to watch out for According to the FBI:
- Do not respond to mailers that aren’t solicited or other commercials
- Do not sign documents if you aren’t sure about them. Consider having them examined by an attorney
- Do not accept payments for a house that you don’t own
- Be cautious of anyone who claims you can purchase something for free (i.e. there is no down cost)