Colorado Reverse Mortgage... Helping You Move Forward, In Reverse! SM

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Reverse Mortgage Pros and Cons

Despite all the advertising and just like Social Security benefits, the HECM program was never intended to be a perfect solution for every senior.REVERSE MORTGAGE PROS AND CONS

For a variety of reasons, I tell people every week that I don’t think the Reverse Mortgage program is an appropriate solution for them. Sometimes this takes them by surprise, but every transaction is unique in some way. Our clients are given the same advice and input as if he or she were my own parent… the good AND the bad. Below we discuss the Reverse Mortgage Pros and perhaps more importantly, the Cons.

REVERSE MORTGAGE PROS

  • Qualifying the homeowner is easy. Visit with a qualified professional to review your situation and learn how the required “Financial Assessment” will affect your loan process.
  • Allows the homeowner to stay in their home and maintain ownership
  • Pay off any existing mortgages and liens.
  • No monthly mortgage payments are due for as long as the homeowner lives in the home, pays the property taxes, homeowner’s insurance and maintains the property.
  • It’s flexible! The senior can receive the proceeds in the form of a monthly payment, a Line of Credit, a Lump Sum disbursement or any combination of the above.
  • A Reverse Mortgage has a “Non-Recourse” clause written into the mortgage. This means that the homeowner (or their heirs) cannot be in an “upside-down” position for the balance. They can never be personally liable for more than the home is worth.
  • Heirs inherit the home and keep the remaining equity after the outstanding balance is paid off.
  • The Reverse Mortgage proceeds are not taxable.
  • If the senior chooses to make payments, the available Principal Limit can increase giving them access to a larger monthly payment or an increasing Line of Credit.

REVERSE MORTGAGE CONS

  • The most common concern by a senior is that the loan balance typically gets larger over time and the value of the inheritance to the kids (or estate) decreases. There is no polishing this Con, but it is the reason that no monthly payments are required (other than property taxes and insurance). Improving the quality of life of my clients is my objective, so I do not fret too much about whether or not there is an inheritance to be divvied up by an estate after death. It is not my place to try to sway you. Fortunately, we see the children (when they are an active participant in the process) supporting their parents’ decision and encouraging the Reverse Mortgage.
  • Medicare and Social Security benefits are NOT affected. However, needs-based government assistance, such as Medicaid, could be Let us know during the first conversation in order for us to help properly structure the loan so your benefits are not affected. You will need to visit with your benefits counselor to know if our structure is acceptable to them.
  • There are fees associated with obtaining a Reverse Mortgage and these fees are typically higher (but may be lower) than those associated with a Conventional mortgage. The Counseling and Appraisal fees are paid up front (credit card) whereas the rest is commonly rolled into the loan.
  • A second appraisal and it’s expense is sometimes required by FHA. If the government wants another appraisal and you want to proceed with the application the second appraisal must be completed. Properties in California, Texas and Florida have the highest requirement for second appraisals; the national average for a 2nd appraisal is about 20% of the time. If a second appraisal is required by the FHA, you, your Loan Officer, the Mortgage company nor the Underwriter have the ability to override this requirement. 
  • If you have an outstanding balance that is larger than the Reverse Mortgage Principal Limit can cover, there are 2 outcomes. You come in with the money needed to cover the difference or you spent money on Counseling and Appraisal(s) for a loan that never closes.
  • The home must meet minimum FHA standards and be considered “marketable”. If repairs are required by the appraiser, they may be required to be done prior to closing the loan and other repairs may be required to be completed within 6-months after the closing. Reverse mortgage proceeds may be “Set Aside” to ensure that funds are available for home repair if required.
  • Having a collection is not the same thing as “hoarding”. Collections are fine, hoarding is not. If hoarding is an issue, the appraiser/inspector may find the home does not meet FHA’s standards for safety, health, and/or a marketability. Be honest with yourself and have an open discussion with us. We’d rather nip it in the bud before you spend money on an appraisal.
  • “My neighbor has a cousin whose friend had a reverse mortgage and…”  Stories are told about the lender’s intent to “steal the home” from a senior homeowner.  They would be laughable if they weren’t so harmful and inaccurate. But everyone loves a scary story, so these stories keep getting told. There is a lot of confusion and misinformation about the HECM Reverse Mortgage product and this causes some people to dismiss the one program that could have genuinely helped and made a positive impact on their lives. So, unless your neighbor or friend is a CRMP, we recommend that you get accurate information from an experienced professional and not from a storyteller or inexperienced lender.