Reverse Mortgages

A. A reverse mortgage is a loan that enables senior homeowners, age 62 and older, to convert part of their home equity into tax-free* income—without having to sell their home, give up title to it, or make monthly mortgage payments. The loan only becomes due when the last borrower (s) permanently leaves the home.
 
* Consult Tax Advisor.

Q. How does a reverse mortgage differ from a home equity loan?

A. Both a reverse mortgage and a home equity loan use the equity you have built up in your home to provide you with readily available cash.
 
They differ in that with a home equity loan you must make regular monthly payments of principal and interest. However, with a reverse mortgage you do not make any monthly mortgage payments for as long as you stay in the home.

Q. What are the advantages of a reverse mortgage?

A. There are many. Here are a few of the most significant:

• Remain independent. A reverse mortgage allows you to remain in your home and retain home ownership.
• Stay in your home. It allows you to remain in your home and retain home ownership.
• No monthly mortgage payments. You need not pay back the reverse mortgage loan nor make any monthly mortgage payments until you permanently move out of the home.
• Tax-free money. Because the money you receive from a reverse mortgage is not considered income, it is tax free* and will not affect your Social Security or Medicare benefits.
• Freedom and flexibility. The money you get from a reverse mortgage is yours to use in any way you choose.

Q. How much money can I get?

A. The amount you can borrow depends on several factors, including your age, the type of reverse mortgage you select, current interest rates, the location of your home, and the appraised value of your home and FHA's lending limits for your area. In most cases, the older you are, the more valuable your home, and the less you owe on it, the more money you can get.

Q. Are there any limits on how I use the money I receive from a reverse mortgage?

A. You can use the money for anything you choose, from daily living expenses, home improvements, healthcare expenses, paying off existing debts, or simply enhancing your retirement years. For many people, the money provides a "financial security blanket," in case unexpected expenses arise.

Q. Is there a choice in how I receive the cash from my reverse mortgage?

A. Most definitely. With most reverse mortgages you have a wide range of payment options, one of which should be ideal to meet your financial needs.

• You can choose to receive the money all at once, as a lump sum.
• You can receive equal monthly payments as long as one of the borrowers lives and continues to occupy the property as a principal residence.
• You can choose to receive equal monthly payments for a fixed period of months.
• You can get a line of credit; which allows you to take funds at times and in amounts of your choosing until the line of credit is exhausted. This is the most popular option, chosen by more than 60% of reverse mortgage borrowers.
• You can opt for a combination of line of credit with monthly payments for as long as the borrower remains in the home.
• Or, finally, you can choose a combination of the above.

Q. Who can qualify for a reverse mortgage?

A. Seniors 62 years of age or older qualify. There are no income, health or credit qualifications.

1. Federally-insured reverse mortgages. Known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM), they are insured by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). They are widely available, have no income requirements, and can be used for any purpose.
2. Government-sponsored reverse mortgages.  A Home Keeper® is Fannie Mae’s conventional market alternative to the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM). It is a government-sponsored enterprise program and works like a HECM loan in many ways. However, a Home Keeper® reverse mortgage addresses a few needs that are not met by HECM loans, such as individuals with higher property values, condominium owners, and seniors wishing to use a reverse mortgage to purchase a new home.

Q. When must a reverse mortgage loan be repaid?

A. Your reverse mortgage loan becomes due and must be paid in full when one or more of the following conditions occurs: (a) the last surviving borrower passes away or sells the home; (b) all borrowers permanently move out of the home; (c) the last surviving borrower fails to live in the home for 12 consecutive months due to physical or mental illness; (d) you fail to pay property taxes or insurance; (e) you let the property deteriorate, beyond what is considered reasonable wear and tear, and do not correct the problems.

Q. What has to be repaid when the loan becomes due?

A. When the last surviving borrower permanently moves out of the home or dies, the reverse mortgage loan becomes due. The reverse mortgage principal, interest charges, and service fees (such as closing cost fees) are paid from sale of the house or other assets of the estate.

Q.  If I take a reverse mortgage, will I still have an estate that I can leave to my heirs?

A. When you sell your home or no longer use it for your primary residence, you or your estate must repay the lender for the cash received from the reverse mortgage, plus interest and service fees. Any remaining equity belongs to you or your heirs. It’s important to remember that you can never owe more than the home's appraised value when it is sold. None of your other assets will be affected by your reverse mortgage loan.

Q. Other than repaying the principal and interest, what kinds of fees are involved in a reverse mortgage?

A. Most reverse mortgages have an application fee (which may cover the cost of a credit report and an appraisal), an origination fee, closing costs, insurance, and a monthly servicing fee. These charges can be paid by the reverse mortgage itself, making them no immediate burden to the borrowers; the costs are added to the principal and paid at the end, when the loan becomes due.

Q. Are there tax consequences? What about my Social Security and Medicare benefits?

A. Because reverse mortgages are considered loan advances and not income, the IRS considers them to be not taxable. Similarly, having a reverse mortgage should not affect your Social Security or Medicare benefits.
 
If you receive SSI, Medicaid, or other public assistance, your reverse mortgage loan advances are only counted as "liquid assets" if you keep them in an account past the end of the calendar month in which you receive them. You must be careful not to let your total liquid assets become greater than these programs allow. It may be wise to consult your tax advisor on this.
 
Another tax fact to bear in mind: interest on reverse mortgages is not deductible on your income tax returns until the loan is paid off entirely.

Q. What advice should I get before taking a reverse mortgage?

Q. I understand that I must meet with an unbiased counselor before completing my reverse mortgage application. What does that accomplish?
A. This is a federally mandated feature of the reverse mortgage process and is designed for your protection. The counselor, who is from an independent government-approved housing counseling agency, explains in detail the pro's and con's of all your reverse mortgage alternatives. He or she will discuss a reverse mortgage’s costs and financial implications, should tell you about any government or nonprofit programs for which you may qualify, and advise you on any proprietary reverse mortgages that may be available in your area.