Table of Contents
- Introduction
- How Does a Reverse Mortgage Work?
- Who Owns the House in a Reverse Mortgage?
- How Do You Pay Back a Reverse Mortgage?
- How Much Money Do You Get on a Reverse Mortgage?
- Mortgage Types
- Downsides of Getting a Reverse Mortgage
Introduction
A reverse mortgage is a type of loan that allows homeowners to borrow money against their equity in their home. In a reverse mortgage, the lender pays the homeowner in monthly installments, a lump sum, or a line of credit. The homeowner continues to own their home, but the money they receive is not considered income and is not taxable. The loan is not paid off until the homeowner dies or the home is sold.
How Does a Reverse Mortgage Work?
To qualify for a reverse mortgage, a homeowner must be at least 62 years old, not have any liens against the property, and own the home outright or have a low mortgage balance that can be paid off at closing with proceeds from the reverse mortgage. The amount a homeowner can borrow is based on the value of the home, the borrower’s age, and the current interest rate.
The loan does not have to be repaid until the borrower dies, moves out of the home, or sells the home. However, the borrower is still responsible for paying property taxes, homeowners insurance, and any other costs associated with the property. If these payments are not made, the reverse mortgage loan will become due.
Who Owns the House in a Reverse Mortgage?
The homeowner is still the owner of the home. The reverse mortgage is simply a loan against the equity in the home. The lender does not own the home and cannot force the homeowner to sell the home or move out of the home.
How Do You Pay Back a Reverse Mortgage?
A reverse mortgage does not have to be repaid until the homeowner dies, moves out of the home, or sells the home. At that time, the loan and any accrued interest must be repaid in full. If the home is sold, the proceeds from the sale are used to pay off the loan. If the loan balance is higher than the sale price of the home, the lender will absorb the difference.
How Much Money Do You Get on a Reverse Mortgage?
The amount of money a homeowner can receive from a reverse mortgage depends on several factors, including the value of the home, the homeowner’s age, and the current interest rate. Generally, the older the homeowner and the higher the value of the home, the more money the homeowner can receive.
Mortgage Types
There are three types of reverse mortgages: the single-purpose reverse mortgage, the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), and the proprietary reverse mortgage. The single-purpose reverse mortgage is offered by some state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations and is only used for one specific purpose, such as making home repairs or paying off medical bills. The HECM is the most popular type of reverse mortgage and is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The proprietary reverse mortgage is offered by private lenders and is not insured by the FHA.
Downsides of Getting a Reverse Mortgage
Reverse mortgages can be a valuable tool for seniors, but there are also some downsides to consider. For example, interest rates on reverse mortgages are typically higher than those on traditional mortgages. Additionally, the cost of obtaining a reverse mortgage can be high, as there are loan origination fees, closing costs, and other fees associated with the process. Finally, it is important to remember that a reverse mortgage is a loan and not free money,