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Today Show : Part 1 – How To Help Your Aging Parents Find The Best Place To Live

Posted on June 1, 2017June 13, 2017 by janjordan

Recently, financial expert, Jean Chatzky, did a three part series on the Today Show called “Taking Care of Mom & Dad”. Each of these segments specifically touched on real questions adult children have regarding what to expect as their parents age.

The video featured here is Part 1 – How To Help Your Aging Parents Find The Best Place To Live.

Take a few minutes to watch this well done, informative short video. Find Part 2 here, and Part 3 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.

Does My Home Qualify For A Reverse Mortgage?

Posted on October 21, 2016December 19, 2016 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.

Reverse Mortgage For Purchase – Everything You Need to Know

Posted on October 7, 2016October 13, 2016 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”. There are no income or credit requirements and just like with any other type of home loan, 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.

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

Breaking Down the Reverse Mortgage Home Appraisal

Posted on August 24, 2016January 2, 2017 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.

Reverse Mortgage in Colorado – 5 Quick Facts

Posted on June 29, 2016July 31, 2016 by janjordan

The Reverse Mortgage, created to aid the realization of retirees dreams, will be in your face if you have approached, or are approaching, the eligible age of 62. As with the all special offers across Colorado, marketing can promote it in such a way as to allure you – or to terrify you.

There are a number of points to know when you begin to learn about reverse mortgage. These are simple facts and not marketing strategies.

1.) First of all, married couples can both be on the reverse mortgage loan if they are both over the age of 62. This means when one passes, the other can continue living in the home under the same agreement. No changes take place just because both are no longer in the home. This gives the remaining spouse a true security as they navigate through the transition of losing their life partner. The same would apply if one spouse was to leave the home permanently and move into an assisted living facility. As long as both partners are on the loan, and one still remains in the home, nothing changes.

2.) Second, there are NO monthly mortgage payments. So long as the borrower(s) remain in the home as their primary residence, their only financial responsibilities are the homeowner’s insurance, HOA payments, property taxes and basic upkeep/utilities. This is the case whether a traditional reverse mortgage is acquired, or a reverse mortgage to purchase a home. No mortgage payments, ever.

3.) Third, funds from a reverse mortgage will not affect Social Security, Medicare or pensions because they are considered “tax free” income. They also are not declared on tax returns as income.

4.) Fourth, you retain the title to your home and it stays in your name. There is not a transfer of ownership just because you drew upon the equity of your personal asset.

5.) Lastly, you can access the funds in various ways including monthly payment, a line of credit, a lump sum, or as a purchase. And the funds can be used however you see fit. Borrowers can even use a reverse mortgage to buy a new home via the Reverse Mortgage for Purchase program allowing the home purchase and the reverse mortgage loan transaction to take place at the same time. This a great option for those who wish to be close to family, in a desired location or have a place that fits your new lifestyle, or even move to your retirement dream home.

Reverse mortgage 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.

Why Do Only 3% of Seniors Use a Reverse Mortgage to Purchase a Home?

Posted on May 25, 2016May 29, 2016 by janjordan

Why is it that only 2-3% of older Americans use the Reverse Mortgage for Purchase option to buy a home? Recent studies show that even with the option available to them, they still seek traditional funding or opt to pay cash. Why is that? Well, surveys have shown there are three main reasons:

1.) No one told them they could use a reverse mortgage as a purchasing tool. Unfortunately this happens far too often. Real estate agents and lenders are either not aware of this option or are not educated enough to suggest it. If you’re a senior considering purchasing a home, be sure to ask about using a reverse mortgage. If you aren’t given proper information, contact a reverse mortgage expert such as myself.

2.) Real estate agents do not have enough knowledge to adequately educate the potential buyer about this option. If you as a potential buyer find yourself in this situation, ask who you could talk to to learn more or seek out an expert yourself.

3.) The third reason seniors opt for traditional financing is the down payment required to use a reverse mortgage. The down payment amount varies based on the price of the home, the age of the borrower, and current interest rates.

In order to apply for a Reverse Mortgage for Purchase loan, you must be age 62 or older (each borrower on title must meet this criteria, although others residing in home do not), the home you are purchasing must be your new primary residence, you must have your “required investment” (down payment) from a HUD allowable source.

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.

Get Your Dream Home with Reverse Mortgage for Purchase

Posted on November 13, 2015June 26, 2017 by janjordan

When we’re working hard and raising a family, there are two things we often hope to achieve in our future – having no house payments and living in our dream home. Then as the years close in on retirement, these may still seem unachievable – but they’re not. With the Reverse Mortgage for Purchase program seniors 62 and over can live mortgage payment free in the home of their dreams.

Here’s how it works:

When a home buyer uses a reverse mortgage to purchase a home, they will be required to provide a down payment. The amount of the down payment will depend on the amount of the home they are purchasing – but unlike a conventional loan, not only will the lender provide the funds to make up the difference between the home price and the down payment, the new home owners will also be able to live mortgage payment free for as long as they remain in the home, freeing up income for other things – such as medical bills, in home care, or even vacations.

Commonly when someone has a large amount of cash they want to simply pay cash for a home. But in today’s housing market, even $200,000 doesn’t go very far. With a reverse mortgage for purchase that $200,000 can be used as a down payment on a much more expensive and desirable home – AND the buyer will still live mortgage payment free, just as if they’d paid for the home with cash. As with any reverse mortgage or conventional mortgage, the homeowner will always remain exactly that – the homeowner. And the loan will not reach maturity until the last borrower passes away or permanently leaves the home.

Click here for more detailed information about how the Reverse Mortgage for Purchase program works.

How to Use Home Equity for Retirement Security

Posted on November 4, 2015June 26, 2017 by janjordan

Did you know home equity can be used to reduce the overall risk of your retirement plan? Your house is a great asset that for many years has been overlooked in financial planning for seniors. This is making a sharp turn lately as retirement experts are beginning to understand how tapping into home equity via a reverse mortgage should never be underestimated.

Let’s take a look at where most seniors sit currently when it comes to retirement…

• Only 22 percent of workers are very confident they will have enough money in retirement.
• 45 percent of Americans have saved exactly nothing—zero.
• The expected lifespan of women is 20 years past the age of retirement, and two years longer than men.
• The average retiree can expect to spend $220,000 in out of pocket health care costs during retirement.
• Medicare pays for an average of 62% of a seniors health care costs, leaving 38% to come out of pocket.
• 36% of up and coming retirees will rely on Social Security as their sole income.

A reverse mortgage can help in many different ways – and the how the funds are spent is entirely up to the borrower. Whether it’s a monthly payout or a line of credit, when combined with other retirement planning tools, reverse mortgage can allow retirees financial security during the years they worked so hard to enjoy. 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 non-recourse, 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.

Reverse Mortgage For Purchase – What You Need To Know

Posted on September 23, 2015 by janjordan

We’re all familiar with the two most common options to purchase a home – take out a mortgage loan or pay cash. But for seniors 62 and over, there’s another option – the Reverse Mortgage for Purchase program (aka HECM for Purchase).

Looking for a home in Fort Collins, Loveland or Longmont, Colorado but finding it’s a bit out of your price range? Because the borrower is responsible for only the down payment on the home and will have NO mortgage payments, a Reverse Mortgage for Purchase can help with this too.

What is needed to qualify for a Reverse Mortgage for Purchase loan?

you must be age 62 or older (each borrower on title must meet this criteria, although others residing in home do not)
the home you are purchasing must be your new primary residence
must meet the FHA’s new reverse mortgage credit and income guidelines
you must have your “required investment” (down payment) from a HUD allowable source. The funds cannot be borrowed. The required investment can come from the sale of a currently owned home or asset, a gift or inheritance, or money you have had for at least 90 days.

Who owns the home that I am purchasing?

As the borrower and homeowner, you will always retain the title to the home, just like any other type of home loan.

What will my personal ongoing obligations be after purchasing a home?

It’s very similar to if you owned your home free and clear – you will NOT have a monthly mortgage payment. But as the homeowner, you will be responsible for paying property taxes, home owner’s insurance, HOA fees when applicable, and basic upkeep including home maintenance and utility payments.

When will the loan become due and payable?

With a Reverse Mortgage for Purchase the loan does not reach “maturity” until:

the last remaining borrower passes away
the homeowner sells the home
the last remaining borrower leaves the home for 12 consecutive months due to illness
the homeowner defaults on property taxes or insurance

Will I need to sell my my current home residence to qualify?

Simply put, no. As long as the loan on your current residence is not an FHA loan and your required investment comes from a HUD allowable source, you can keep your current residence – but the new home will need to be your primary residence. Your lender will ensure you are financially stable enough to support the ongoing obligations on all properties you own. If you decide to keep your current residence as an investment, rental, or vacation property – or you are awaiting the sale of home, it is rarely a problem.

What types of properties can I purchase?

Single family homes, town homes, and FHA approved condos are all eligible properties. The home being purchased will need to be the buyer’s primary residence.

Can I use the loan to build a new home?

These loans cannot be used as construction loans. Homes must have a Certificate of Occupancy issued before a loan application can be started, but as long as that is in place, it is fine if the home is new construction.

How is the “Required Investment” amount determined?

The “required investment” or down payment 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
The current expected interest rate

What may disqualify me from a Reverse Mortgage for Purchase loan?

Foreclosures within the past 3 years.
Unresolved bankruptcy
Unpaid Federal obligations – i.e. federal taxes, defaults on prior government backed loans (such as student loans or government backed mortgages)
Income too low to support multiple properties
Unpaid judgments or tax liens

What is the HUD required “Reverse Mortgage Counseling”?

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 third party, 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.