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Reverse Mortgage and the Alternatives

Posted on August 12, 2015August 18, 2015 by janjordan

Home equity accounts for approximately 70% of a senior’s assets, not including social security or pension. Often times tapping into this equity becomes inevitable when facing health crisis or financial restrictions in retirement. Using home equity should be part of a larger financial plan and there are a few ways it can be incorporated.

Reverse Mortgage

A reverse mortgage is available to seniors 62 and older with married couples being eligible to both be on the loan if both meet the age requirement. Homeowners who obtain these loans do not make monthly mortgage or loan payments but instead receive the funds in a variety of available options, including monthly installment and a line of credit. The loan does not have to be repaid until the last borrower passes away, at which time there are options available to heirs. The amount of the loan depends on the amount of equity in the home and the age of the borrowers – the older the borrower, the more money they can receive. This is an excellent option for both seniors with questionable retirement funds or the retiree who is looking to boost their portfolio.

Home Equity Loan

A home equity loan (HELOC) also taps into equity by borrowing money against the home. This type of loan will be processed as a conventional loan and monthly payments will need to be made to the lender. Any health or future financial concerns should be thoroughly thought through prior to taking out a home equity loan. Loading up the home with debt during retirement can be risky and could result in loss of the home if the borrowers are unable to make their monthly payments.

Downsize

Another option would be to downsize all together by selling the existing home and moving into a more modest situation. Depending on the amount of equity in the home, a homeowner may be able to sell the home for enough money to comfortably be able to make rent or mortgage payments for 10 to 20 years. Just as with a home equity loan, this option could be risky for a person with health concerns as the funds set aside for housing could be needed elsewhere. For homeowners looking to downsize, a Reverse Mortgage for Purchase is also a very good option. This will allow the borrower to move into the home they desire AND eliminate mortgage payments.

Before making any major decisions regarding how to effectively use the equity in your home, it is best to consult with a financial adviser and a reputable reverse mortgage lender.

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.

A Hidden Gem – Reverse Mortgage for Purchase

Posted on August 5, 2015August 18, 2015 by janjordan

Nearly everyone is familiar with a Reverse Mortgage and many even know someone who has used one to increase cash flow or help them remain in their existing home. But what many people don’t realize is that you can also use one to purchase a home. This little known portion of the reverse mortgage program, called Reverse Mortgage (HECM) for Purchase, is a golden gem to many seniors who are looking to settle down somewhere other than their current home for retirement. Whether looking to move closer to family, purchase a single level home, or move into a senior community, these homebuyers are able to purchase a home they often wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise while still eliminating mortgage payments – all in a single transaction.

To qualify, the borrower(s) must be 62 years or older, be purchasing an eligible property, have the required down payment, and meet the HECM financial assessment guidelines. Eligible property types are single family residences, new construction where certificate of occupancy has been issued, HUD approved condos and townhomes. Allowable down payment sources include cash from savings or investments, proceeds from the sale of an existing home or asset, gifts. Funds that are borrowed such as a loan or credit cards are not allowed as a funding source. The amount of the down payment varies depending on the age of the youngest borrowers and the cost of the new home.

Working with an educated real estate agent and reverse mortgage specialist will expedite the process, and in most cases in a Reverse Mortgage for Purchase does not take longer to complete than a typical home purchase with a traditional loan.

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:

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. Coming in the next article.

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. Think creatively about 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.

Taxes and a Reverse Mortgage in Colorado

Posted on April 1, 2015 by janjordan

Spring has sprung in Fort Collins and Loveland again! That’s the good news. The bad news is this also means it’s tax time. It’s common during this time of year for me to receive a few questions regarding taxes and reverse mortgage – from both those considering a reverse mortgage, and those who already have a reverse mortgage.

Here are the two most common:

Are the funds from my reverse mortgage considered taxable income?

No. Because the funds received from a reverse mortgage are technically an advance on a loan, any payments or lump sums received are not taxable income, meaning they do not need to be reported on a tax return as such. They also typically do not affect Social Security or Medicare payments.

Is the interest from my loan deductible?

No. Because reverse mortgage holders do not make monthly mortgage payments and typically the interest is not paid until the loan is paid in full, the interest from a reverse mortgage loan is not deductible on a tax return. This is also the case with a reverse mortgage for purchase loan.

FHA insured reverse mortgages are available to homeowners 62 and older with no credit or income requirements until April 27th, 2015 (at this time some changes will take place to the qualifying process). These loans allow the borrower to live mortgage payment free and receive their loan payment in one lump sum or in monthly installments. All borrowers are required to participate in third party counseling to ensure all their questions are adequately answered before making a decision. Reverse mortgages are also available to purchase a new residence.

Reverse Mortgage Terms to Know – Part I

Posted on March 25, 2015 by janjordan

If you’re considering a reverse mortgage, you’ve likely read a handful of short articles on them, or Home Equity Credit Mortgage (HECM). You probably have a sense of what a reverse mortgage is and what it is not. So you read longer more detailed articles and meet with a lender, only to find yourself in a sea of words that leave you swirling. Like any type of contractual agreement in America, reverse mortgage has its own language to give clear definition to the acting agencies, the building blocks involved and the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved.

The following will help you speak the reverse mortgage language, starting with the basic overarching terms.

A Reverse Mortgage is a loan taken in lieu of home ownership. It gives cash advances to the borrower and does not require repayment until the last borrower passes away or leaves the home permanently. The loan is capped by the value of the home at the time of repayment. The acronym HECM means Home Equity Conversion Mortgage and is the only program of its kind backed and insured by the Federal Housing Administration.

A Mortgage refers to a legal document. The document makes a home available to a lender to repay a debt. A Non-Recourse Reverse Mortgage is a home loan where the amount owed cannot exceed the home’s value at the time of loan repayment. This type of reverse mortgage is FHA insured. Another type of reverse mortgage is called a Proprietary Reverse Mortgage, which have grown quite uncommon. Proprietary reverse mortgages are privately insured by the banks and mortgage companies that offer them. They are not subject to all the same regulations as HECMs, and for this reason borrowers should ensure they understand these loans thoroughly and beware of scams. They are also occasionally called “jumbo” reverse mortgages.

The value of a home, which implies subtracting out any money owed on it is called Home Equity. And Home Equity Conversion is the process of turning the equity into cash. It allows the one receiving to stay in their home without making monthly payments while there, or still alive. It takes what is due to the borrower wrapped up in the years of paying for their home and makes it available immediately.

For seniors 62 and older, regardless of credit or income (until April 27 2015), a reverse mortgage is an option. Utilizing the equity of the asset you already have can help fund the retirement of your dreams – or just your retirement. You will always retain the title to your home and will live mortgage payment free. How you decide to use this asset is up to you, and a common misconception is that your home will be lost after you pass. With proper education via required third party counseling and retirement planning, this does not need to be the case.

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

Reverse Mortgage Financial Assesment in Colorado

Posted on March 9, 2015May 30, 2017 by janjordan

The FHA is imposing new rules for borrowers when obtaining a reverse mortgage. The date of these changes has been confirmed by the FHA to be April 27th, 2015.

Borrowers must be 62 or older, be obtaining the loan on a home that is their HUD approved primary residence. 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.

Home values are currently at the highest level since before the recession – and because the amount of the loan is based on the value of the home, there could not be a better time than now to apply for a reverse mortgage – whether it’s a traditional reverse mortgage, a Reverse Mortgage for Purchase, or a reverse mortgage line of credit with exponential growth factor.

One of the most attractive details of a reverse mortgage has always been the lack of credit and income requirements, but this will soon change. The FHA is imposing new rules that will now force lenders to consider credit and income for each applicant, similar to a traditional mortgage, the purpose being to minimize possible defaults due to the inability to pay property taxes and homeowners insurance. But unlike a traditional mortgage, if potential borrowers do not meet this criteria, there are still options through a Fully-Funded Life Expectancy Set-Aside, which is an amount drawn under the HECM that is reserved for payment of property taxes and insurance by the lender; or a Partialy-Funded Life Expectancy Set-Aside which works the same as the Fully-Funded option except a smaller reserve is drawn when borrowers meet credit requirements but not income requirements. The amount of both of these reserves is determined by the age of the borrower and the value of the home. Need more info? Contact me.

Reverse Mortgage in Colorado – Points to Know

Posted on February 25, 2015 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.

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 dies, the other can continue living in the home under the same agreement. No changes happen just because both are not alive, giving the one remaining a true security as they navigate through the transition of losing their life partner.

Second, at this time the loan is not dependant on credit score or income. There are simple eligibility requirements: the borrower must be 62 or older, the residence must be their primary residence, and the home must meet HUD guidelines.

Third, 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.

Fourth, funds from a reverse mortgage will not affect Social Security, Medicare or pensions because they are considered “tax free” income.

And the title of your home stays in your name, there is not a transfer of ownership just because you drew upon the equity of your personal asset.

Last, you could even use a reverse mortgage to buy a new home via the Reverse Mortgage for Purchase program. 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.

These are dependable facts to help you sift through all the marketing and information that will come your way.

The Time is NOW to Consider a Reverse Mortgage

Posted on December 30, 2014April 19, 2015 by janjordan

Did you think it could be better timing to act now when drawing on the equity of your house? It might seem the longer you wait the higher your equity will become, and thus the greater advantage you will have in drawing upon it.

Not so in the case of a reverse mortgage right now, for there is an unusual opportunity to increase your credit line if you act sooner rather than later.

If you are considering a reverse mortgage and secure a credit line at the lower rates available presently, then your credit line will actually INCREASE as the interest rates inevitable rise. The credit lines are set up on a proportionate system based on the current rate and the mortgage insurance premium which means as rates rise in the future, the credit line also grows.

Considering a reverse mortgage now may be the perfect option to be sure you do not outlive your equity, putting your hard work to use for your comfort and your need now. Taking advantage of the lower interest rates could give you a high credit line up front, and lead to an even higher line as the rates grow. Age has less benefit than the present low interest rates.

This means that obtaining a reverse mortgage, which might seem like it is increasing your obligation or debt, could actually yield you the opposite by giving you more, it is a sure fire investment reaping long term benefit from your years of investing in your home.

The time is now to consider a reverse mortgage.

For seniors 62 and older, regardless of credit or income through April 27, 2015 (at which time some changes will be implemented to the qualifying process), a reverse mortgage line of credit is very feasible option. Utilizing the equity of the asset you already have can help fund the retirement of your dreams – or just your retirement. You will always retain the title to your home and will live mortgage payment free. How you decide to use this asset is up to you, but the line of credit option is an interesting opportunity that should not be overlooked. And a common misconception is that your home will be lost after you pass. With proper education via required third party counseling and retirement planning, this does not need to be the case.

Win – Win with a Reverse Mortgage

Posted on December 22, 2014December 30, 2014 by janjordan

Our country holds value for you having a home you love, and also gives you room to grow and change as life inevitably does. In 2008 the FHA instituted a program making it possible to BUY a home with a reverse mortgage. What an option this could be, and it is only one of many smart financial possibilities reverse mortgages could afford, literally afford, to you.

If you are settled into your place, loving the thought of continuing for many years where you are, you could use a reverse mortgage to pay off any existing mortgages, liens or debts. Reducing your monthly expenses opens all sorts of doors to living the life you wish, perhaps trying a new hobby, visiting family or friends, or even embellishing on the home you have.

As mentioned above, you could also buy a new home with your reverse mortgage. Why might you want this option? Perhaps you want to relocate to a city closer to loved ones, or even change the layout of your home to suit your present needs or desires. Purchasing a new home with a reverse mortgage creates a win-win for all involved! It gives you the financial resources to pay for your dream home in full, up front, avoiding monthly payments. Even realtors and builders benefit when the home creates movement for the local economy as it is released, put on the market, sold and perhaps even renovated.

There is also another compelling consideration for taking advantage of a reverse mortgage. This is YOUR equity, the fruit of years of hard work, devotion and care. It is there for you to enjoy in THIS life so why not give yourself this gift? You could spend the equity before touching your cash assets, giving you physical and emotional security by providing a steady financial foundation. The outcrop here is lightness, joy and options for your continued happiness.

For seniors 62 and older, regardless of credit or income, this is very feasible option. Tap into the equity of the asset you already have and live the life you want through your retirement years. You will always retain the title to your home and will live mortgage payment free. How you decide to use this asset is up to you. And a common misconception is that your home will be lost after you pass. With proper education and planning, this does not need to be the case.

Reverse Mortgage for Purchase – from a Client’s Perspective

Posted on September 15, 2014June 29, 2015 by janjordan

This first hand account of how the decision to go with a Reverse Mortgage for Purchase instead of paying cash for a home changed the course of life for these homeowners is really impressive. I absolutely LOVE hearing stories like this!

Reverse Mortgage for Purchase (aka HECM for Purchase) is available to seniors 62 and over. Borrowers are required to meet the same age guidelines as with a traditional reverse mortgage, but instead of using the equity from an already existing home they own, they contribute a down payment towards the cost of a new home and the reverse mortgage lender makes up the remainder of the cost – leaving the borrower with NO mortgage payment. The amount of the down payment is calculated a couple different ways and changes based on the age of the homeowner and the value of the home (click here to learn more about down payments).

We bought our house with a reverse mortgage in 2010. We put down $115K, received as inheritance from my husband’s mother, which could have bought us a 2 BR 1 bath 900 sf on a tiny lot with no mortgage. Instead we have 5 acres, 1850 sf 3 BR 2 bath home, a barn for my 2 horses (which boarding would have been costing us $600 a month at least), 12 x 24 greenhouse, two storage buildings, a workshop, and a pool in an equestrian neighborhood that is peaceful and quiet with no barking dogs, roaring cars, or loud trashy neighbors. The Reverse Mortgage for Purchase gave us the ability to purchase a much nicer home and still live mortgage payment free.

We pay property taxes, insurance, and upkeep. We do not “co-own” the house with the mortgage company as many believe is the case with a reverse mortgage. It is in our names and we can sell it if we decide to do so. The reverse mortgage is treated just like any other mortgage at the time of sale. It’s paid off at closing and the equity goes straight into our pockets. And we do have equity…in fact, since real estate has rebounded, particularly in our equestrian community, we have more equity than when we bought the house even after having the RM for four years.

We have nobody to leave the property to. My husband’s children disappeared out of our lives years ago and I have no kids. We’ve left everything in the hands of our lawyer to be sold and the funds split between two animal charities. If we had offspring we wanted to leave anything to, they would have time to decide what to do with the house – either refinance it and pay off the mortgage, sell it and take any equity, or another option.

~ Happy with Horses

Here are few basics to the reverse mortgage for purchase program:

The purchaser must be age 62 or older (each borrower on title must meet this criteria, although others residing in home do not)
The home being purchased must be the new primary residence
The purchaser must have the “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 asset or money you have had for at least 90 days.
Eligible properties include: single family homes, town homes, and FHA approved condos. A loan can not be applied for on a new construction home until it has a it’s “Certificate of Occupancy”.