As a Reverse Mortgage Professional, I have the opportunity to help senior homeowners and retirees improve their quality of life. It is a truly rewarding part of my job to be able to spend time working with senior homeowners and their families. If you are interested in a reverse mortgage, please feel free to contact me.

A Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) is the formal name of the federally-administered loan that many commonly refer to as the 'reverse mortgage' loan. The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage is administered by H.U.D. (The Department of Housing & Urban Development) and may help qualified homeowners 62 and older enhance their cash flow during retirement. In addition to the HECM, private jumbo reverse mortgages for higher-valued properties are offered by some lenders may be available in your area. Private jumbo reverse mortgages are not insured by the FHA.

HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR A REVERSE MORTGAGE?

To become eligible for a reverse mortgage, you must be at least 62 years old and own your home. You must have enough equity in the house to pay off any outstanding balances, and your home must be occupied as your principal residence. Minimal income and credit standards must also be met.

Imagine living in your home without a traditional monthly mortgage payment *, or instead enjoying monthly loan proceeds from the years you’ve invested in your home. A reverse mortgage is a unique mortgage designed for homeowners 62 and older. You may enjoy access to part of the value of your home and the freedom and comfort of the home you’ve known for so many years. It’s your home, now you can put it to work for you.

Reverse mortgage borrowers retain ownership and title to their home*. It’s yours just as it was before, but now you may benefit from the equity that’s been building in your home for years. In addition, HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage) reverse mortgage loans give you peace of mind since it is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) if your home and property are the only assets that secure the loan. In order to retain the home when the reverse mortgage becomes due, the heirs may choose to keep the home by paying the current outstanding loan balance or 95% of the home's appraised value, less customary closing costs and real estate commissions.

After you get a reverse mortgage on your primary residence, repayment is not due until the home is sold, the last borrower passes away or permanently leaves the home*. Borrowers also must keep the home in good condition, pay property taxes and keep homeowner’s insurance coverage to avoid the loan becoming due and payable.

As a protection, all those seeking a reverse mortgage are required to obtain counseling (from an independent HUD-approved third-party counselor) prior to incurring any costs associated with the loan (other than the counseling fee). While proceeds from a reverse mortgage are not subject to personal income taxation, borrowers should seek tax advice on how proceeds may affect government needs-based programs such as Medicaid and Medi-Cal.

THE FACTS

• A Reverse mortgage is a specialized loan for homeowners 62 and older.
• A reverse mortgage allows older homeowners to access a portion of the value of their home.
• Borrowers maintain title and ownership of their home*.
• Proceeds from a reverse mortgage are not subject to personal income taxation, but borrowers should seek tax advice on how proceeds may affect government needs-based programs such as Medicaid and Medi-Cal.
• It is not a government grant, but a loan that is repaid in the future when the home is sold or the last borrower dies or permanently leaves their residence.
• A reverse mortgage is eligible only for the borrower’s primary or principal residence.
• HUD counseling (from an independent HUD-approved third-party counselor) is required prior to the borrower incurring any costs associated with the loan.
• A reverse mortgage loan is secured by a mortgage on the home and failure to comply with loan terms could result in foreclosure.