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FAQs

What is the new name for reverse mortgage? ›

A Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) for Purchase is a reverse mortgage that allows seniors, age 62 or older, to purchase a new principal residence using loan proceeds from the reverse mortgage.

A counselor can help you decide whether a reverse mortgage or some alternative is the best choice for you. To find a HUD-approved Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) counselor near you, call (800) 569-4287.

The HECM is the FHA's reverse mortgage program that enables you to withdraw a portion of your home's equity to use for home maintenance, repairs, or general living expenses. HECM borrowers may reside in their homes indefinitely as long as property taxes and homeowner's insurance are kept current.

Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs), the most common type of reverse mortgage loan, are a special type of home loan available to homeowners who are 62 and older. Aside from age, other reverse mortgage requirements include: Your home must be your principal residence, meaning you live there the majority of the year.

A reverse mortgage isn't free money: The borrowing costs can be high, and you'll still need to pay for homeowners insurance and property taxes. Reverse mortgages can also complicate life for your heirs, especially if they don't want the home or the home's value isn't enough to cover what's owed.

A reverse mortgage increases your debt and can use up your equity. While the amount is based on your equity, you're still borrowing the money and paying the lender a fee and interest.

Called the initial principal limit, you can only withdraw 60 percent of your available equity during the first 12 months, with the remaining equity becoming available after the first 12 months. The only exception is if your mandatory obligations exceed 60 percent of your available equity.

Taking a loan too early

The earliest a homeowner is eligible to take out a reverse mortgage is age 62, but Orman considers it risky to do so. "If you tap all your home equity through a reverse at 62 and then at 72 you realize you can't really afford the home, you will have to sell the home," she said.

You might lose government aid: While an HECM isn't counted as income for tax reasons, the money you receive from your HECM can affect your ability to qualify for Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid. Carefully consider the effects of losing your benefits if you were to take out an HECM.

No. When you take out a reverse mortgage loan, the title to your home remains with you. This webpage has information about HECMs, which are the most common type of reverse mortgage. Most reverse mortgages are Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs).

How long can you stay in your home with a reverse mortgage? ›

Technically speaking a Reverse Mortgage is guaranteed by HUD/FHA until age 150 of the youngest Borrower. But because that number is still so far above current life expectancy the real answer is that a Reverse Mortgage will last as long as you need it to.

You may be disqualified from getting a reverse mortgage if you are below age 62, you have less than 50% equity in your home, or you don't have enough income or assets to afford the ongoing costs such as property taxes and homeowner insurance.

In the early days of reverse mortgages, determining financial fitness was left to the borrower. Some borrowers who didn't fully understand their loan requirements, miscalculated their financial stability, or found themselves unexpectedly short on cash also found themselves in danger of losing their homes.

Because they often involve high fees—and the interest accrues on an increasing loan balance—reverse mortgages are an expensive way to borrow money. These added costs can cut into your home equity and reduce your family's inheritance when you die.

One out of every ten reverse mortgage is in default and could face foreclosure. Reverse mortgages are expensive. After ten years, interest and ongoing fees on a lump sum reverse mortgage can add up to more than $100,000, after twenty years interest can reach more than $300,000 on top of the original loan amount.

How is This Different From a Reverse Mortgage? A traditional private reverse mortgage is not necessarily backed by the federal government, whereas an HECM is not only underwritten by HUD, it is also regulated to consumer safety by the federal government as well. This allows interest rates charged to be far lower.

The key differences between a HECM and Reverse Mortgages are: Reverse mortgages are available to consumers who are 55 and older in most states, while HECMs are only available if you are 62 or older. HECMs have more flexibility in their payout options while reverse mortgages only offer a single-lump sum in most cases.