Six Frequently Asked Questions

About Reverse Mortgages

A reverse mortgage is a loan that enables homeowners who are at least 62 years old to convert some of their home equity into cash, a line of credit, or to finance a home purchase with the freedom of no monthly mortgage payments.* The borrowers continue to live in and own their home.

Unlike a traditional home equity loan or home equity line of credit, a reverse mortgage doesn’t have to be repaid until the last surviving borrower or an eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse, if applicable, no longer lives in the home, or the home is sold. If the borrower does not meet loan obligations such as taxes and insurance, and maintaining the condition of the home, then the loan will need to be repaid.

Am I Eligible?

  • All titleholders must be age 62 or older.
  • The home must be the borrowers’ primary residence, andmustmeetFederalHousing Authority (FHA) minimum propertystandards.
  • You must have sufficient home equity. A from can tell you if youhaveenoughhomeequityto qualify.

Will the Bank Own My House?

No. Just like a traditional mortgage, as long as the terms of the loan are met,* the borrowers retain full homeownership and can sell the home at any time.

How Much Money Can I Get?

This is determined by the age of the youngest borrower, or eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse, your home value, the amount of equity, FHA lending limits (which vary by county), the current interest rate, and the reverse mortgage product and payment option you choose. A from can provide you with a quote that’s tailored to your specific situation, with no cost orobligation.

How Do I Receive My Proceeds?

You can take your funds as a lump sum; monthly payments for a specified time period, or for as long as you live in the home; a line of credit; or a combination of these.

Is the Reverse Mortgage Insured?

The HECM reverse mortgage is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to protect lenders and borrowers alike.

This insurance guarantees you will receive your loan proceeds as agreed upon with the lender at the closing of the loan.

What are the Costs Associated With a Reverse Mortgage?

In addition to interest, the costs include a title fee, credit report fee, real estate settlement closing costs, a property appraisal fee, origination fee, closing costs, mortgage insurance premium, servicing fee and a modest charge for HECM counseling.

While closing costs vary based upon the type and size of the loan, they’re the same as those for any traditional mortgage.

You can roll most of the up-front costs into the loan, so out-of- pocket expense can be minimized. We will be pleased to give you a detailed cost breakdown.

*The borrower must meet all loan obligations, including living in the property as the principal residence and paying property charges, including property taxes, fees, hazard insurance. The borrower must maintain the home. If the homeowner does not meet these loan obligations, then the loan will need to be repaid. This material is not from HUD or FHA and has not been approved by HUD or any government agency.  

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