janjordan, Author at Colorado Reverse Mortgage Specialist - Jan Jordan

Author: janjordan

The Reverse Mortgage Appraisal – Preparation

Posted on November 3, 2017December 4, 2017 by janjordan

After you fill out the application for a reverse mortgage, with the help of a trusted and reputable reverse mortgage specialist, an appraisal of your home needs to be conducted.

This can be a nervous moment to have a stranger come into the home you have enjoyed for many years for the purpose of evaluating it. Since you may not know what to expect you might even wonder if they are going to ask questions you cannot answer, or notice the cleanliness of the refrigerator.

There are many steps you can take before the appraiser comes to your home. IF you take a little time the value will increase and the appraiser will only have to make one visit instead of numerous ones because you had work to do.

Here is a list of the types of questions to honestly ask yourself and if your answer to any of them is yes, fix it before they arrive.

• Do you have exposed electrical wires? Or faulty electrical?

• Are there staircases or decks without rails or in poor condition?

• How is your paint looking? Inside AND outside.

• Do you have any water leaks?

• What is the status of your roof, are there any leaks or damage?

The better shape your home is in when the appraiser comes, the better the listed value will be and the more money will be in your pocket from your reverse mortgage loan.

Maybe you are looking for a loan for the sake of repairs, as a senior this kind of help is possible for you just ask your lender for more information so the focus of the loan is included.

Reverse mortgage is an individualized, specialized loan for those 62 and older that allows seniors to tap into the equity of their home while living mortgage and loan payment free. The funds can be accessed via a lump sum, line of credit, monthly installments, or even to purchase a home. If you are planning ahead let your specialist guide you creatively to suit your needs and desires.

Jan Jordan is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Longmont, Boulder and other Front Range areas of Colorado. Click here to contact Jan and learn if reverse mortgage is right for you.

Tips For Adult Children When Considering A Reverse Mortgage With Your Parents

Posted on October 23, 2017 by janjordan

If you are concerned for your aging parents or relatives as their home becomes too much to manage or too difficult to move about, reverse mortgage may be an option. It is common for adult children to look into the reverse mortgage process for their parents and help them make the right decision. Here are some common questions and concerns you may have.

Questions to ponder:

1. Do I have the financial resources to help my parents with their medical and living expenses?
2. Is there a concern from other siblings as to inheriting the home or the equity?
3. What are my parents’ wishes as to staying home if medical care is needed for an extended time?

Common concerns:

Will Mom and Dad use up my inheritance?

While tapping into their equity, your parents’ home may be appreciating in value, which could allow for some equity left at the end of the loan. They are also able to live comfortably without having to depend upon family members to support them.

Will the bank take their home?

No, the bank will not take their home. Throughout the life of the reverse mortgage, your parents will continue to own their home and retain title.

How much money will they owe when the loan has to be repaid?

Your parents will owe the total amount borrowed, accrued mortgage insurance premiums, accumulated interest, servicing fees, and any other costs and fees financed through the loan amount.

What happens to the equity if my parents or I decide to repay the loan by selling the house?

There are two options. Either your parents or the heirs can keep the home and pay the balance due on the reverse mortgage, or they can decide to sell the home and use the proceeds to pay off the reverse mortgage. Either way, the remaining equity is retained by the owners or heirs.

What happens to my mom and dad’s house if they move into a senior care facility?

A reverse mortgage becomes due and payable when the last borrower moves out of his or her home permanently (12 consecutive months). For instance, moving into a senior care facility, selling the home, passing away or moving in with the children.

What happens if the loan balance becomes greater than the value of the home?

The reverse mortgage (aka: Home Equity Conversion Mortgage or HECM) is a FHA insured non-recourse loan, which means that the borrower can never owe more than what the house is worth. As HECM reverse mortgage borrowers, your parents pay a mortgage insurance premium to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). They, in turn, guarantee that the borrower will never owe more than the value of their home when the loan becomes due and payable.

What are the risks my parents would be taking in receiving a reverse mortgage?

A reverse mortgage doesn’t affect regular Social Security or Medicare benefits. To find out if it impacts other federal or state assistance or medical programs, contact your reverse mortgage lender, tax attorney, or counseling agency.

Are there restrictions on how my parents spend their money?

Your parents can spend their money any way they want. Borrowers have used reverse mortgages to pay for grandchildren’s educations, vacations, new cars, home improvements or to eliminate debts. The money can be used for anything they desire.

Reverse mortgages are available to senior homeowners 62 and over – even married couples. They will live mortgage payment free, always retain the title to the home, and because these loans are FHA insured, no one – including heirs – will find themselves saddled with the debt after the owner passes. There are also various solutions for adult children or other family members who may want to keep the home in the family.

Jan Jordan is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Longmont, Boulder and other Front Range areas of Colorado, as well as the Cheyenne and Laramie communities of Wyoming. Contact Jan and learn if reverse mortgage is right for you.

Can I Sell My Home If I Have A Reverse Mortgage Loan?

Posted on October 16, 2017October 23, 2017 by janjordan

For many that obtain a reverse mortgage, the plan is to stay and age at home, but sometimes reasons come up that the homeowner will want or need to sell the home. Is this possible if there is a reverse mortgage on the home? And what does it look like?

Can a home with a reverse mortgage be sold?

Yes, the home can still be sold at any time, just like with a traditional mortgage. When the home is sold, the borrower will repay the loan balance and any outstanding closing fees from the proceeds of the sale. Any additional funds from equity will be theirs to keep.

Are there penalties?

No, there are no penalties when selling a home that has a reverse mortgage loan on it.

How are the funds from the sale dispersed?

When the home is sold, repayment of the reverse mortgage loan will be first, followed by any outstanding liens or other obligations, then the homeowner will keep any additional proceeds.

Do I have to notify the reverse mortgage lender of my intent to sell?

Not necessarily, but it is a good idea to start there and find out what the outstanding balance is. Having all the facts upfront will help with decision making all around.

Bottom line: Selling a home that has a reverse mortgage loan against it is very similar to selling a home that does not have a reverse mortgage. As long as you are aware of the few differences, it is a smooth process.

Reverse mortgages are available to seniors 62 and over as long as the home the loan is being used against is the primary residence and there is some equity available. The funds are accessible to the borrower in a variety of ways including monthly installments, line of credit, lump sum, and even a tool to purchase a new home.

Gray Divorce Rates Are Climbing – Can Reverse Mortgage Help?

Posted on October 11, 2017October 23, 2017 by janjordan

A brand new Pew Research poll highlighted a very interesting trend among divorce in the United States – while divorce rates have drastically declined among younger adults, it’s nearly doubled among adults 50 and over in the past 25 years.

The truth is, it’s becoming more and more common for seniors to divorce after retirement. This is happening for various reasons, but a big one is that retirement now lasts for decades versus only years, and many people are looking to make those golden years the best yet.

But senior divorces can get messy, as there are often many assets to sort out. During divorce negotiations, a home is often one of these assets. This home is possibly owned free and clear, or with a lot of equity. For divorcees age 62 and over, a reverse mortgage can be used as a tool to help with settling this asset during divorce. The great thing about reverse mortgage is it allows someone to stay in the home and live mortgage payment free, AND access funds from the equity. Here are a couple scenarios in which reverse mortgage would be of benefit.

Scenario 1: When splitting the home asset, instead of selling the home, one party could be allowed to stay in the home and obtain a reverse mortgage, of which the other party receives the funds from. This can be a win-win. In cases like this, the financial settlement can even be wrapped into the loan if the divorce is final before the closing. This would mean a reverse mortgage would be part of the divorce settlement discussion. It is important to understand that the party that remains in the home will be responsible for certain obligations pertaining to the home, such as property taxes and homeowners insurance.

Scenario 2: Possibly you’re used to living off two incomes – whether it be from work, or social security and pensions. Suddenly dropping down to one income can be devastating. In cases like this getting the home in divorce proceedings can be a huge benefit, as once the divorce is final, a reverse mortgage could be obtained on the home. The funds could come in monthly installments, a line of credit (that grows), or a lump sum. In addition, if you wanted to sell the home and move, a reverse mortgage could be used to purchase the new home – and can even allow you seek homes that would otherwise not be in your price range. The best part? You will always live mortgage payment free.

If you are considering a divorce, or sifting through the process, don’t hesitate to contact me to further understand how reverse mortgage can help, and whether or not you qualify.

Changes in the Reverse Mortgage for Purchase Certificate of Occupancy Rule

Posted on October 2, 2017October 23, 2017 by janjordan

One of the hidden gems within the reverse mortgage program has long been the ability to purchase a home with it; the Reverse Mortgage for Purchase program. But within that program was a frustrating rule – the requirement that the home being purchased have a Certificate of Occupancy before a loan application could be submitted. This meant seniors seeking this option were limited to pre-built homes. Well, this rule has changed. Here’s the scoop:

Late last month, the FHA announced that it will allow mortgagees to take applications for HECM Reverse Mortgage for Purchase loans from potential borrowers without a certificate of occupancy and before the completion of reverse mortgage counseling. The FHA will not insure the loans until the local officials deem the property to be habitable and issue a certificate of occupancy. Lenders will be responsible for getting the appropriate paperwork once it is available.

The Reverse Mortgage for Purchase program allows seniors to purchase a home using a reverse mortgage and live mortgage payment free. To qualify for this program, borrower(s) need to be age 62 or older, be purchasing a home to become their primary residence, and have their “required investment”. The borrower will still be the homeowner and will always retain the title. In addition, similar to a homeowner who owns their home free and clear, there will not be a monthly mortgage payment but the borrower will still be required to pay property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, HOA fees, and basic upkeep and utility payments.

The borrower can use this loan to purchase single family homes, town homes, and FHA approved condos.

What Happens To The Reverse Mortgage After The Borrower Moves Out Or Passes?

Posted on September 21, 2017 by janjordan

A common question and concern surrounding reverse mortgage is what will happen to the home after the homeowners pass away? Will the bank take possession? Will it be allowed as inheritance? Will it be possible to keep the home in the family? Will the family of he deceased be held liable? These are very valid concerns – so I’d like to offer some clear and concise guidance.

When the last homeowner passes, whether we’re talking about you or a loved one, the home will transfer into the estate or a specific person according to the wishes expressed in the homeowner’s will. At this time there are three main options:

1. Pay off the remainder of the loan

Depending on the amount of equity that still exists in the home, the financial situation of the family, and just the overall ability of those involved, this may or may not be a feasible option. It’s not uncommon for a portion of life insurance to be used in this manner. Because these loans are FHA insured, if the loan is repaid, it will never be more than the home is worth – even if the housing market is in a deep low spot.

2. Obtain a conventional loan.

Many mortgage brokers are familiar with the reverse mortgage process and the right broker will be able to help those in need identify the best route in obtaining a conventional loan and keeping the home.

3. Sell the home

The final option is to sell the home. When there is not a desire to keep the home, the heirs can sell the home. When the home is sold, the loan will be repaid and any remaining equity from the sale will go to the heirs.

If there are no heirs or the heirs are not interested in the home, no one will be held liable.

One last note, as long as the communication lines remain open, the bank will typically allow up to one year to help with the transition. This one year is allotted in three month increments.

Should You Use A Reverse Mortgage To Fund In-Home Care?

Posted on September 14, 2017September 21, 2017 by janjordan

According to statistics, there’s a 70% chance seniors over 65 will need some sort of long term care such as in-home care, skilled nursing, or assisted living at some point during their lives. Although there are various ways to pay for such care, like Medicare, Medicaid, or health insurance, these options often come with limits and additional costs.

For homeowners 62 and over reverse mortgage should be another option considered to fund long-term care. These tax-free loans convert a portion of home equity into cash without incurring a loan payment. Borrowers can access the funds via monthly installments, line of credit, a lump sum, and even to purchase a home.

The reverse mortgage line of credit is a great option when facing the future needs of long term care. This option allows homeowners to secure this FHA insured loan at the current interest rate, then only use the funds when needed – and the line of credit grows as the borrower ages.

Unlike a traditional loan or a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), there are no loan or mortgage payments as long as the borrower lives in the home. The line of credit comes due either when the last borrower permanently moves out or passes away, in which case the heirs or the estate could pay the loan back either through sale of the home or other means. Depending on how much of the line of credit has been tapped, this could result in significant equity left to heirs. If you never used the line of credit, the equity would still be in place and would pass to heirs along with the home.

Everything You Need To Know About Reverse Mortgage For Purchase

Posted on September 7, 2017October 23, 2017 by janjordan

Reverse Mortgages, once typically thought to only help struggling seniors, have undergone enormous changes recently and are being used to help even affluent retirees achieve their retirement dreams and home buyers purchase new homes.

The Reverse Mortgage for Purchase program is quickly gaining in popularity. This program allows seniors to purchase a home using a reverse mortgage and live mortgage payment free. To qualify for this program, borrower(s) simply need to be age 62 or older, be purchasing a home to become their primary residence, and have their “required investment”. The borrower will still be the homeowner and will always retain the title. In addition, similar to a homeowner who owns their home free and clear, there will not be a monthly mortgage payment but the borrower will still be required to pay property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, HOA fees, and basic upkeep and utility payments.

The borrower can use this loan to purchase single family homes, town homes, and FHA approved condos. Unfortunately, these loans cannot be used to purchase homes under construction and the home must have a “Certificate of Occupancy” issued prior to starting the application process.

As mentioned above, the borrower will need to have their “required investment” or down payment. This amount is determined by a calculation set by HUD based on: the lesser of the sale price or appraised value, the age of the youngest of the borrowers, and the current expected interest rate. There are many examples available of these numbers to help real estate professionals and borrowers determine the price bracket they should search based on the required investment they have available.

Unlike a traditional mortgage where the loan reaches a “maturity date”, reverse mortgages have a “maturity event”. This is the event which causes the loan to become due and payable. These “events” include: the last remaining borrower passes away, the homeowner sells the home, the last remaining borrower leaves the home for 12 consecutive months, or the homeowner defaults on property taxes or insurance.

Prior to being approved for a reverse mortgage, HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requires each borrow to participate in a counseling session with an approved agency. These not-for-profit agencies are funded by the federal government and work closely with both the FHA and lenders to ensure a smooth process. The goal of this session is not to steer a potential borrower in one direction or another, but to make sure they clearly understand all aspects of a reverse mortgage.

How to Spot a Reverse Mortgage Scam

Posted on August 31, 2017September 21, 2017 by janjordan

You may hear about email scams, telephone scams, door-to-door soliciting scams – but what about reverse mortgage scams? Unfortunately just as we have scams in every segment of society and at every opportunity, reverse mortgages and seniors are not immune to such activity.

In the past decade, reverse mortgages also known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HCEM), have increased more than 1,300 percent! This certainly offers an astounding opportunity for fraud perpetrators.

What do reverse mortgage scams look like?

Victims may be offered a free home, an investment opportunity, or foreclosure and refinance assistance. Senior citizens are often unsuspecting targets for scammers, as they are not familiar with the multitude of unscrupulous and dishonest “programs” that exist. Scammers reach their victims often through churches, investment seminars, television, radio, billboard, and mailer advertisements.

When considering a reverse mortgage product, it is very important to research the company. Most reverse mortgages are insured by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). Seek out companies that are a member of the Better Business Bureau and associated with the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association.

Tips for Avoiding Reverse Mortgage Scams:

• Do not respond to unsolicited advertisements.
• Be suspicious of anyone claiming that you can own a home with no down payment.
• Do not sign anything that you do not fully understand.
• Do not accept payment from individuals for a home you did not purchase.
• Seek out your own reverse mortgage counselor.

What is a HUD Eligible Home for Reverse Mortgages?

Posted on August 17, 2017August 21, 2017 by janjordan

Reverse Mortgages are a specialized loan available to seniors 62 and over. This creative resource is used by a wide demographic – from those looking to supplement a fixed income, to the more affluent in need of protection for retirement assets, and even those wanting to purchase a home in retirement. But there are some requirements when it comes to the actual home…

Which types of homes are included?

According the HUD’s Federal Housing Administration, the home must be a single family home or a 2-4 unit home with one unit occupied by the borrower. Some condominiums and manufactured homes that are approved by HUD also meet FHA requirements.

In the case of a Reverse Mortgage for Purchase, borrowers can use a reverse mortgage to purchase a single family home or 2-4 unit home with completed construction that has received a certificate of occupancy.

Are there reasons my home may not qualify?

A home with very little equity may not qualify, although homes with existing mortgages may.

In addition, homes must be maintained with general upkeep and be current on property taxes and other expenses relevant to the home.

A second home or vacation home may not qualify. The borrower must be living (or plan to live) in the home.

Bottom line

The funds from a reverse mortgage can be accessed via a lump sum, line of credit, monthly installments, or to purchase a home. If you have questions let your specialist guide you in the many scenarios that are possible and the two of you can think creatively about your needs and desires.