Mortgage and Refinancing Information Channel:

We would like to thank the local libraries, schools, and universities for recommending students to visit us when doing research on any of our information topics.
 Please check back frequently as new topics are added and current topics are updated daily.

Who Could Benefit From A Reverse Mortgage?

What is a "Reverse Mortgage?"

Also known as a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)a reverse mortgage,is a popular way older homeowners (62+) can convert part of the equity in their homes into tax-free income without having to sell the home, give up title, or take on a new monthly mortgage payments.

Before explaining a reverse mortgage, let's review the features of a Standard Mortgage:

With a standard loan or mortgage, your income stream is used to 'qualify' for the mortgage or loan. The lender will want to see that you have enough cash flow from your job and other sources of income in order to make the payments.

By securing this loan or mortgage against your house, the bank has extra security. After all, if you stop paying, they can take away your house.

As the years go by and you continue to make the payments, you will build up 'equity', which is the difference between what your house is worth, and how much you owe on the loan or mortgage What you owe will be continually reducing as you pay off the principal.

A Reverse Mortgage ... Reverses The Process:

A reverse mortgage, in contrast, requires no proof of income, no credit checks etc.. You simply have to own the home you are borrowing against.

The reason for this is that interest payments are 'rolled up' on the reverse mortgage - i.e they are added to the loan, and not repaid monthly.

Over time, of course, this starts to eat up your equity, because as each interest payment is added to the loan, interest starts being charged on the previous interest too!

Who Would Benefit From A Reverse Mortgage?

Older homeowners (62+), who struggle on limited pensions are usually living in properties that have soared in value in recent years. With reverse mortgages they can unlock some of the value in their homes and remain in the property at the same time, thus enhancing their retirement years.

These reverse mortgages are becoming more popular with seniors.

Paying Back The Loan

There are NO monthly payments due on a reverse mortgage while it is outstanding. The mortgage/loan is repaid when the homeowners cease to occupy the home as a principal residence, whether the homeowner (the last remaining spouse, in cases of couples) passes away, sells the home, or permanently moves out.

Depending on the size of the loan and the current real estate market conditions, there may actually be no equity left when the loan is finally repaid. If the debt comes to exceed the value of the property, the FHA or the lender takes the loss.

As well, loans under these programs are without recourse. This means that lenders can not attach other assets of borrowers or their heirs in the event that the reverse mortgage debt exceeds the property value.

On a another note, if the home is sold and the sales proceeds exceed the amount owed on the reverse mortgage, the excess money goes to you or your estate.

There will always be some concern with homeowners who would like to leave an inheritance for their children and the home is to be that cash inheritance.

Note:

As with all loans, be careful not to default on regular or common charges, such as property tax, insurance, utilities etc, as these could all lead to the loan/mortgage being reclaimed early (foreclosed).

Typically, the lender will have an option built in to the contract to increase your debt by paying these charges on your behalf, should you default, and this is not an option you want them to exercise, as you will then start paying interest on those charges too!

Reverse mortgages can be very useful, but treat carefully as they can also have a sting in their tail.

Keep an eye on the outstanding balance every month, versus the value of your home for peace of mind.

And as with most major decisions, speak to an expert who knows your situation and long term plans before applying for a reverse mortgage. As a matter of fact, in the U.S., mandatory counselling is required prior to applying for a reverse mortgage. An approved counsellor will educate you about reverse mortgages and determine whether this is your best option. Then, given your particular situation assist you in determining which reverse mortgage product best suits your needs. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has a list of approved counselling agencies posted online at Home Equity Conversion Mortgages Resources.

AARP has also entered the picture as a major information source for reverse mortgages (www.aarp.org/revmort). They have a guide (including a nifty calculator) that can help you figure out if a reverse mortgage is right for you.

For Canadians: - Shop Carefully!

Although home equity conversion products (reverse mortgages) are widely available in the US, Canadian homeowners have a more limited selection. You can check out the Canadian Home Income Plan. Canadian Home Income Plan.

Helen March offers simple House And Home Sense solutions for buying or selling real estate as well as informative articles for home improvement and lifestyle alternatives. Visit House And Home Sense.com

MORE RESOURCES

used office furnishings-supplies-equipment-desks-cubicles-service-counters for sale in Akron Ohio   Die cast model cars for sale in Akron Ohio  
used cars for sale in Akron Ohio   unfurnished homes for rent in Akron Ohio

RELATED MORTGAGE AND REFINANCING ARTICLES: Option ARM - The World's Most Dangerous Mortgage Home prices have reached record levels, and in many parts of the country, homes have become nearly unaffordable. Real estate has replaced the tech stocks of the late 1990's as the hot investment, and everyone has sold their stocks and jumped into investment property. Getting the Best Homeowner Loan for Your Money With so many lenders out there, it can be hard to tell if you're getting the best homeowner loan for your money. Banks, finance companies, and online lending services all offer competing loans, but determining which offers you the best homeowner loan can be tricky. Home Loans For People With Bad Credit - Tips To Getting Approved Online Buying a home with bad credit doesn't have to stop you from finding an affordable lender. By shopping online for a lender you can find the best lending rates for your situation. Mortgage Terminology for the First Time Home Buyer Buying a Home for the first time can be a little "nerve racking". Mortgage terminology that brokers use everyday can leave you scratching your head or shaking your head pretending that you know what they're talking about. Home Equity Loans Popular Scams Most borrowers fail to realize that when trading their much beloved home for cash, lenders can foreclose on their property in the case of default. Moreover, because of fly-by-night operators who are ready to strip unsuspecting borrowers of their most prized asset, it is doubly necessary that borrowers be familiar with some frauds that could be perpetrated on them. Home Equity Loans Online If you are in the market for a home equity loan, consider an online lender. Home equity loans online are fast and easy. Residential Mortgage - Finding The Best Home Mortgage Lender Most people approach the act of getting a home mortgage purchase or refinance loan the wrong way. They timidly approach lenders and cross their fingers that they will quality for that all-important loan. Reverse Mortgages: Information You Need to Know Reverse Mortgages are exploding in popularity and as the baby boomers reach age 62 and beyond they will become eligible to cash in on their home equity with a reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage is a home loan that you do not have to pay back for as long as you live in your home. Commercially Viable Commercial Mortgages Commercial mortgages are similar to residential mortgages. Usually taken by businesses, commercial mortgages are secured against business property. Why Choose a Home Owner Loan? Most people choose a home owner loan as it can release the capital that is tied up in their property for immediate use. The loan can be used for any purpose, and is available to anyone who owns their home. Jumbo Mortgage Loans - Getting Approved for a Jumbo Mortgage Loan Online Getting approved for a jumbo mortgage loan online is similar to getting approved for a traditional mortgage when you use a mortgage broker. However, you can expect to find lower interest rates online with better terms. Avoiding Foreclosure If you fall behind in your mortgage payments, you face the threat of foreclosure. Foreclosure means your lender can take over your home, and you must move out. Finding the Best Mortgage Lender Online Finding the best mortgage lender online is simply a matter of doing some smart shopping. Begin by gathering your financial information, and then request quotes from several lenders. 4 Things to Watch Out for When Choosing a Mortgage Company We all know that there are a lot of mortgage companies out there. But how do you know which company to choose? Some companies have flashy advertisements about low interest rates, but are they really the best company to choose? A mortgage is a very large investment, so the company that you choose has to be the best company out there for you. Bad Credit Refinance Loans - Finding a Good Lender Finding a good lender to help you with refinancing your home loan can be tricky if you have bad credit. There are plenty of predatory lenders out there who would like to take advantage of you with excessively high interest rates and fees. Bad Credit Home Loans - Pre-Approval is Still Possible With Adverse Credit History If you are among the millions with less than perfect credit, there are many sources available to you in obtaining a mortgage. Lenders that specialize in mortgages for those with bad credit are competing for your business. Bad Credit Home Loans There was a time that seems like decades ago when people with less than pristine credit were not able to get home loans. At that time people with bad credit were all but assured that their dreams of homeownership would never come to fruition. Borrow on a Budget: Getting the Cheapest Home Improvement Loans Getting the cheapest home improvement loans isn't always easy. It can require going to several different lenders for quotes as well as several hours spent comparing the interest rates and terms of several possibilities. Council Right To Buy Mortgage - Transform Your Accommodation Into Home Homeowner - does this term catch your attention every time you hear it? It is a powerful term. It is hard being a tenant for long. Poor Credit Mortgage Reigns High Among Mortgages Available to Bad Credit Borrowers Like a big brother keeping notes of the erring behaviour of his younger sibling, credit reference agencies like Experian and Equifax maintain a record of each person entering into credit transaction. While a few instances of arrears are considered admissible, as the incidence of bad credit behaviour increases, creditors start considering these as a lack of reliability.

HOME | SITE MAP © 2012 - 2024 All Rights Reserved Increase pagerank with HitsSurfer