Top Ten Things to Know if You are Interested in a Reverse Mortgage

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FHA Reverse Mortgages.

HUD Reverse Mortgages:

* 1. What is a reverse mortgage?

* A reverse mortgage is a special type of home loan that lets a homeowner convert a portion of the equity in his or her home into cash. The equity built up over years of home mortgage payments can be paid to you. But unlike a traditional home equity loan or second mortgage, no repayment is required until the borrower(s) no longer use the home as their principal residence. HUD's reverse mortgage provides these benefits, and it is federally-insured as well.

* 2. Can I qualify for a HUD reverse mortgage?

* To be eligible for a HUD reverse mortgage, HUD (FHA) requires that the borrower is a homeowner, 62 years of age or older; own your home outright, or have a low mortgage balance that can be paid off at the closing with proceeds from the reverse loan; and must live in the home. You are further required to receive consumer information from HUD-approved counseling sources prior to obtaining the loan. You can contact the Housing Counseling Clearinghouse on 1-800-569-4287 to obtain the name and telephone number of a HUD approved counseling agency and a list of FHA approved lenders within your area.

* 3. Can I apply if I didn't buy my present house with FHA mortgage insurance?

* Yes. While your property must meet HUD minimum property standards, it doesn't matter if you didn't buy it with an FHA insured mortgage. Your new HUD reverse mortgage will be a new FHA-insured mortgage loan
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* 4. What types of homes are eligible?

* Your home must be a single family dwelling or a two-to-four unit property that you own and occupy. Townhouses, detached homes, units in condominiums and some manufactured homes are eligible. Condominiums must be FHA-approved. It is possible for condominiums to qualify under the Spot Loan program. The home must be in reasonable condition, and must meet HUD minimum property standards. In some cases, home repairs can be made after the closing of a reverse mortgage

5. What's the difference between a reverse mortgage and a bank home equity loan?

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With a traditional second mortgage, or a home equity line of credit, you must have sufficient income to qualify for the loan, and you are required to make monthly mortgage payments. A reverse mortgage works very differently. The reverse mortgage pays you, and it is available regardless of your current income. You don't make payments, because the loan is not due as long as the house is your principal residence. Like all homeowners, you still are required to pay your real estate taxes and other conventional payments like utilities, but with an FHA-insured HUD Reverse Mortgage, you cannot be foreclosed or forced to vacate your house because you "missed your mortgage payment."

6. Can the lender take my home away if I outlive the loan?

No! You cannot outlive the loan agreement, and no debt from a Reverse Mortgage will passed along to the estate or heirs. You cannot be forced to sell your home to pay off the mortgage loan even if the loan balance grows to exceed the value of the property. And, HUD's Federal Housing Administration guarantees that you'll receive all the payments that are owed to you.

7. Will I still have an estate that I can leave to my heirs?

When you sell your home or no longer use it for your primary residence, you or your estate will repay the cash you received from the reverse mortgage, plus interest and other finance charges, to the lender. All proceeds beyond what you owe belong to you or your estate. This means the remaining equity in your home can be passed on to your heirs. None of your other assets will be affected by HUD's reverse mortgage loan. No debt will ever be passed along to the estate or heirs. You retain ownership of your home, and may sell or move at any time.

8. How much money can I get from my home?

A borrower who uses an FHA-insured HECM will receive a reverse mortgage amount based on a formula which includes a Maximum Claim Amount. In general, this means the maximum amount you can receive will be determined by factors including the age of the borrower(s), and the appraised value of the property (or the maximum FHA mortgage amount for your area, if lower). For example, based on a loan at recent interest rates, a 65-year-old could borrow up to 26 percent of the home's value, a 75-year-old could borrow up to 39 percent, and an 85- year-old could borrow up to 56 percent. You should discuss the formula with your lender and your HUD-approved housing counselor.

9. What if I want to take out more equity from my home than the FHA-insured mortgage limits for my area?

Like FHA's home mortgage programs, HUD's reverse mortgage is primarily intended for low- and moderate-income families. For instance, FHA maximum home mortgage amounts range from $78,660 to $155,250, depending whether the home is in a standard housing-cost area, or an area determined by FHA to be a high-cost area. An owner with a property valued well beyond the FHA mortgage limits, and who has a large amount of equity, will not receive as much cash from a HECM as they might from another reputable private or public agency. Reverse mortgage programs are available in most states of the nation, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, through HUD-approved lenders or highly regarded organizations like Fannie Mae. However, anyone interested in a reverse mortgage is encouraged to speak with a HUD-approved housing counseling agency first.

10. Should I use an estate planning service to find a reverse mortgage? I've been contacted by a firm that will give me the name of a lender for a "small percentage" of the loan?

HUD does NOT recommend using an estate planning service, or any service that charges a fee just for referring a borrower to a lender! HUD provides this information without cost, and HUD-approved housing-counseling agencies are available for free, or at minimal cost, to provide counseling and free referral to a list of HUD-approved lenders.


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