appraisal Archives - Colorado Reverse Mortgage Specialist

Tag: appraisal

What You Need To Know About Reverse Mortgage Appraisals in Colorado

Posted on May 12, 2022June 7, 2022 by janjordan

Getting assessments on just about anything can seem laborious or tedious, who wants to have something close to them looked at with a magnifying glass? But appraisals for reverse mortgage loans are not only very helpful for everyone involved, they’re required by the lender. Part of what determines the amount of funding available from a reverse mortgage is the appraised value of the home. Luckily the process is very simple.

First, after talking with a reputable reverse mortgage specialist, you will submit your application. The specialist or lender will be the one to contact an appraiser who will in turn contact you to set up a time for them to look at your home.

The procedure is standard and involves three steps, the inspection, the research, and the report.

Inspection:

The appraiser will walk through your home with you, he or she might take photographs. It will document features that add value to your home. If the appraiser takes a picture of something in need of repair it lets you know that it matters and gives you a chance to fix it.

Research:

Once the walk through is done, the appraiser’s work continues as they research factors that influence the value they place on your home. Home sales in your area are one area of research. Others include multiple listing services, tax assessor’s records and public records come into play. Anything that will help to give the present value will be taken into account.

The Official Report:

This is the synthesis of the appraiser’s home visit and all the research. The report is used with your loan request. If photographs were taken, they will be included as well.

The appraiser gives this report to the lender who will give you a copy and an updated reverse mortgage figures taking into account the new information.

There are simple things you can do before the appraiser gets to your home to help your loan request. Read my article about preparing your home for an appraisal by clicking here.

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 in the many scenarios that are possible and the two of you can think creatively about your needs and desires.

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

Colorado Home Appraisals in High Demand

Posted on September 30, 2016December 19, 2016 by janjordan

Colorado’s housing market is hotter than ever. Home prices are high, inventory is moving fast, and home appraisers are struggling to keep up with the demand. Because of this, when scheduling a home appraisal, the wait time between scheduling and the date of the actual appraisal is on average 4-5 weeks – and sometimes more. The cost of appraisals are also creeping up as the market stretches those in the profession thin. This is great news for for those invested in the housing market because it shows a positive uptick in Colorado’s economy. But it can cause problems as well, especially for those who are expecting the process to move fast.

What does this mean for Reverse Mortgage?

A critical part of the reverse mortgage process is the home appraisal. This is the case whether obtaining a traditional reverse mortgage or a Reverse Mortgage for Purchase. The appraised value of the home is one of the important factors that determines the amount available through the reverse mortgage loan (or in the case of a purchase loan, the amount available to purchase the home). With appraisals being a hot commodity in Colorado, if you’re considering a reverse mortgage, don’t drag your feet! Get your application in now so we can get your appraisal on the books and locked in!

Other factors that play into the amount available through a reverse mortgage are the age of the borrower (or the youngest borrower in the case of a married couple) and current interest rates.

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

Breaking Down the Reverse Mortgage Home Appraisal

Posted on August 24, 2016January 2, 2017 by janjordan

The procedure is standard and involves three steps, the inspection, the research, and the report.

Inspection:

Research:

The Official Report:

This is the synthesis of the appraiser’s home visit and all the research. The report is used with your loan request. If photographs were taken, they will be included as well.

The appraiser gives this report to the lender who will give you a copy and an updated reverse mortgage figures taking into account the new information.

There are simple things you can do before the appraiser gets to your home to help your loan request. Read my article about preparing your home for an appraisal by clicking here.

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.

How to Sell a Home that has an Existing Reverse Mortgage

Posted on July 27, 2016August 2, 2016 by janjordan

Typically when a senior takes out a reverse mortgage loan on a home, they intend to age there. But on occasion and for various reasons, the homeowners wants to or needs to sell the home before the loan comes due and payable. So, what now?

Although this is an important factor, it’s not nearly as daunting as it sounds. Here’s where to start:

Step 1.) Locate your reverse mortgage loan documents and find any pertinent information regarding the sale of the home. It will vary from lender to lender. Most (but not all) reverse mortgage loans are FHA insured. This means even if you owe more on the loan than the home is worth, you will never owe more than the home sells for. Consult with a real estate or elder law attorney if you have questions or concerns.

Step 2.) Contact the reverse mortgage lender to get a payoff quote. This combined with a home appraisal will give you a good idea of what the sale will look like and what amount of funds you could potentially walk away with.

Step 3.) Find a real estate agent. When seeking out an agent, be sure to provide your reverse mortgage loan information up front and look for someone who has experience with such a sale.

Step 4.) Prepare the home for sale. From here, everything is similar to any home sale. You want to prep the home, keep it clean for showings, update anything you may need, etc.

Step 5.) Sell the home, pay off the reverse mortgage loan (consult with a real estate or elder law attorney if you have questions when paying off the loan), then reap the rewards. Congrats!
Reverse mortgages are available to seniors 62 and over all over Colorado. To learn more, contact a reputable reverse mortgage lender.

Jan Jordan Reverse Mortgage Info for Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, and Front Range areas of Colorado.

What is an FHA Insured Reverse Mortgage Loan?

Posted on December 4, 2015May 16, 2017 by janjordan

If you’ve taken the time to learn even a little bit about a reverse mortgage, it’s likely you’ve heard the term “FHA insured” at least a couple of times. But what exactly does it mean?

Homeowners 62 and over, with significant equity in their home, may be eligible for a reverse mortgage. These loans are typically insured by the FHA and provide non-taxable income to the borrowers based on the available equity in the home. The more equity and the older the borrower, the more funds available. The funds can be accessed via a line of credit, monthly installments, a lump sum, and even can be wrapped into the purchase of a new home. The borrower can always use the funds for whatever they deem fit.

The homeowner will live mortgage payment free for as long as they remain in the home, although they will have a few financial obligations related to the house such as homeowners insurance, property taxes, utilities, and HOA fees. As long as the borrowers keeps current on these few obligations, they cannot be evicted from the home or made to repay the loan. The loan comes due once the last borrower has left the home for 12 consecutive months or passes away. At this time the loan will be due and payable with time allotted to allow for transitions. This is where the FHA insurance comes in.

In the case of a death, the home with pass onto the heirs. At this time they have two options – 1) Pay off the loan and keep the home (often through life insurance or sale of another asset), or 2) Sell the home.

In the scenario of loan repayment the heirs will never have to repay any more than the home is appraised for. They will only be required to pay 95% of the appraised home value or the full amount of the loan, whichever is less. Any amount due on the loan above the appraised amount will be covered by the FHA insurance and no one will be held liable.

In the case of a home sale, the heirs will never be required to pay more on the loan than the home sells for as long as the sale price is at least 95% of the appraised value. Any remaining balance will be covered by the FHA insurance. On the other hand, if the home sells for more than the loan balance, the heirs will keep any remaining funds. This is especially important as over the years the housing market shifts.

Jan Jordan Reverse Mortgage Info for Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, and Front Range areas of Colorado.

A Reverse Mortgage Appraisal – Preparation

Posted on May 22, 2015February 12, 2024 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.

A Reverse Mortgage Appraisal – The Facts

Posted on May 14, 2015 by janjordan

Getting assessments on just about anything can seem laborious or tedious, who wants to have something close to them looked at with a magnifying glass? But appraisals for reverse mortgage loans can be very helpful for you because they lay down where you are in equity. In fact they are required. The process is very simple.

First, after talking with a reputable reverse mortgage specialist, you will submit your application. The lender will be the one to contact an appraiser who will in turn contact you to set up a time for them to look at your home.

The procedure is standard and involves three steps, the inspection, the research, and the report.

Inspection:

Research:

The Official Report:

This is the synthesis of the appraiser’s home visit and all the research. The report is used with your loan request. If photographs were taken, they will be included as well.

The appraiser gives this report to the lender who will give you a copy and an updated reverse mortgage figures taking into account the new information.

There are simple things you can do before the appraiser gets to your home to help your loan request. Coming in the next article.

Frequently Asked Questions – Part 3

Posted on March 15, 2013June 23, 2013 by janjordan

This is the third in a three part series of frequently asked questions about Reverse Mortgage. You can find Part 1 here and Part 2 here. If you have questions that are not currently listed, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.

Will I Lose My Government Assistance If I Get a Reverse Mortgage?

A reverse mortgage does not affect regular Social Security or Medicare benefits. However, if you are on Medicaid or other public assistance, any reverse mortgage proceeds that you receive must be used immediately or they may affect your eligibility. Reverse mortgage funds that you retain would be considered an asset, just as other bank funds.

Continue reading “Frequently Asked Questions – Part 3” →

Your Reverse Mortgage Appraisal

Posted on December 27, 2012December 27, 2012 by janjordan

If you are a senior 62 or older considering a reverse mortgage, a home appraisal by an FHA approved appraiser is required for every loan. Once your reverse mortgage lender has received your application, the lender will contact an FHA appraiser. The appraiser will then contact you to schedule a time that works for them to visit your home.

Here is what to expect from a reverse mortgage home appraisal:

The Inspection:
During the inspection, the appraiser will walk through your home with you. It is not uncommon for the appraiser to take photographs of your home, primarily if there are specific features that may add to the value of the home or may be in need of repair.

The Research:
The appraiser will then begin to research various factors that will come into play, such as comparable home sales in your area. The appraiser will review public records, multiple listing services, tax assessor’s records, and any other resources available to determine factors that will influence the value of your home.

The Appraisal Report:
After analyzing your home along with comparable home sales in your area, the appraiser will deliver the appraisal to be used with your loan request. The report will contain all the information about your home, the comparable home sales that the appraiser used, and any photographs of your home.

Once the appraisal is completed your reverse mortgage lender will provide you with a copy of your report and update your reverse mortgage figures based on the appraised value.

There are some simple things that you or your loved ones can do BEFORE the appraiser arrives that can affect your value and prevent repeated visits by the appraiser.

For example, look for and repair the following if possible:

Do you have any chipping or peeling paint inside or outside the home?
Do you have any exposed electrical wires?
Do you have any current or past water leaks that have not been treated?
Do you have any decks or staircases without hand rails?
Does your roof have any issues with leaking or dose it show excessive wear?

If home repairs are required for a reverse mortgage, they can sometimes be completed after closing on the loan, using the proceeds from the reverse mortgage, thus eliminating the outgoing cost for seniors. Ask your reverse mortgage lender for more information about this option.

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