Understanding Reverse Mortgages
Seniors today often live with a great deal of financial uncertainty. The retirement they imagined may not be consistent with the reality they face.
Incomes are flat or declining, living and medical expenses are higher than ever and few income boosting alternatives exist. Even those who have heard about Reverse Mortgages may be unsure about how they work or what questions to ask. As they search for information, they often turn to their financial institution for guidance and information. By becoming familiar with the product, you can be an even more valuable resource to your clients providing them with income supplementing alternatives to drawing down assets.
What is a Reverse Mortgage?
A Reverse Mortgage is a special type of loan that allows a homeowner to convert a portion of the equity in their home into cash they can access. The funds are not taxable to the homeowner and typically don’t interfere with eligibility for Social Security or Medicare benefits. (However, in the federal Supplemental Security Income program, beneficiaries must keep their liquid resources under certain limits.) The customer retains title to the home as well as right to any appreciation in home value when the loan terminates after it is paid off. The loan remains in force until the last titleholder dies, permanently leaves the home or sells the property; the borrower can’t be forced to sell or move by the lender. The loan may be repaid at any time. But unlike a traditional home equity loan or second mortgage, no monthly payments are required. Instead of putting further pressure on an already stretched budget, a Reverse Mortgage can free a senior homeowner of monthly debt obligations.
Most Reverse Mortgages today are Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) and are FHA-insured and guaranteed. Because HECMs are subject to FHA lending limits, proprietary products have also been developed to help homeowners with properties in excess of the FHA lending limits.
Who qualifies for a Reverse Mortgage?
All titleholders must be 62 or older and own a home with some equity. There are no income or credit qualifications. Existing mortgages or liens must be paid off, but are often paid with proceeds from the Reverse. The homeowner must also remain current on insurance and property taxes, but these can also be paid with proceeds from the Reverse.
How can a borrower use the money?
The funds can be used for any purpose from making ends meet to living retirement dreams. The top reasons for funds used given typically by borrowers are:
Paying off debts, primarily mortgage and credit cards
Home repairs and remodeling
Living expenses
Travel
Health care or long-term care
Easing the financial burden on children
Education
Hobbies
Escalating property taxes
The amount available depends on the borrower’s age, the value of the home, interest rates and local FHA lending limits. Older borrowers can receive a higher percentage of their equity than younger borrowers. Funds can be received in a lump sum, a monthly payment or a line of credit.
What are the costs?
As with most any loan product, there are origination fees and closing costs, but they can be paid from the proceeds of the Reverse Mortgage. HECM loans also have a charge for the FHA’s Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP). There are usually no out-of-pocket costs to the borrower.
What consumer protections are in place?
Reverse Mortgages are non-recourse consumer loans – the loan payoff can never exceed the value of the home. To get a Reverse Mortgage, the customer must attend a mandatory counseling session and review their financial situation with a trained, professional Reverse Mortgage counselor. Many of the counselors are certified by the AARP. The counselor ensures that they understand the transaction, the costs and their other alternatives.
If you have questions regarding Reverse Mortgages or how they may provide life-changing benefits to your clients, contact MLS Reverse Mortgage at 1-888-888-4834 or www.mlsreversemortgage.com.
Fixed Rate Reverse Mortgage
MLS Reverse Mortgage
By: MLS Reverse Mortgage
Advantages of a Fixed Rate Mortgage
This is the most popular type of mortgage as the monthly payment for interest and principal remains fixed through out the mortgage term, Property Insurance and taxes may increase but the monthly repayment of the amount will be stable.
Fixed rate mortgages are available for 10 years, 15 years, 20 years and 30 years period of time, there are also fixed rate mortgages available “Biweekly” this helps to shorten up the loan by making the payment every two weeks.
Fixed rate mortgages have 2 distinct features, first one is that the interest rate would remain the same through out the term of your mortgage, second feature is that payment of the loan remains level for the life and are structured for the repayment of the loan at the end of the mortgage term.
The most popular fixed rate loans are 30 years mortgage and 15 years mortgage. During early payment period, a large amount is being taken for the interest and the rest goes off to the balance principal amount, for instance a 30 years of fixed rate mortgage will take 22.5 yrs of the level payment of the loan for the payment of the half of the mortgage amount. Under 30 years of mortgage, month after the month you can choose to pay only interest or you can pay off principal with interest as it is a great option available for those who have tough time for money at times, with this option of lowering the payment you can increase the cash flow for paying off interest bills, remodeling your house, financing schools or college needs or increase your retirement savings.
With Fixed rate mortgage your loan rate is fixed for the mortgage term, you can pay interest only for 10 years and pay the balance interest plus principal for the next 20 years, this helps you to refinance the loan with out any pre payment penalty.
The advantages of 30 years mortgage is, when it is compared with 15 years mortgage the monthly payments are lesser, interest rate remains the same even if the interest rate goes up, monthly payment does not increases as it remains the same for the entire 30 years, compared to 15 years mortgage you would be paying higher rate of interest and the interest rate remains the same even if the interest rate gets decreased.
If you have planned for a long-term loan and does not like to take up the risk you may opt for fixed rate mortgage.
By: Jim Glu
How do second mortgages work?
Second mortgages are taken if you have any home improvement plans or debts to pay off or simply put when you need extra finances. It is an additional loan taken against the same property. Such loans are considered riskier and hence lenders charge higher rate of interests on a second mortgage.
You may mistake second mortgage and refinance to be the same thing, but the truth is, they are different. A refinance means that you are renegotiating the terms of the first loan while a second mortgage means you are borrowing more money against the equity of your property.
How must you use a second mortgage?
Second mortgage is useful at times when you need a lot of extra cash. Home equity can earn you big loan amounts and hence most borrowers borrow on the equity of their home. You may need second mortgage for:
Avoiding Private Mortgage Insurance/PMI Creating a credit on the home equity line Making home improvements Purchase of more homes Debt consolidation programs
Are there any disadvantages of second mortgage?
The disadvantages of second mortgage are listed below:
A second mortgage can be dangerous for your home if you can’t pay it back. They have a higher rate of interest compared to a first mortgage. You may have to pay huge second mortgage fees.
What are the types of second mortgage to choose from?
You can choose from the 2 types of second mortgages:
1. Home equity line of credit – This works in a similar format to a credit card where you (homeowner) will be given a line of credit based on the equity of your home. You will have to pay interests on the amount borrowed. This interest rate depends on the market index rates making it more unstable than home equity loan.
2. Home Equity Loan – It is a set loan amount that is fixed for a said term and has a set rate.
Second mortgages can be found almost everywhere. Lenders are willing to offer such loans as they can charge high rate of interests. You may seek second mortgage from a lender you are already working with. There may be some rate cuts and may also be able to save some money on fees.
By: Samantha Taylor