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Tips to Visualizing and Planning Your Retirement

Posted on August 3, 2016August 19, 2016 by janjordan

Life in our country continues to change and one major shift is our personal life span, we are all living much longer, ready to enjoy the latter years of our life after many years of work, much longer. Since retirement commonly now spans up to twenty years and sometimes more, moving into life without steady work income requires a plan.

Before a plan, however, it is most helpful to create a vision. If your time for retirement is near or far, it can be efficacious to ask yourself questions now, even if you might change down the road.

What are some of your retirement desires? Where would you like to live? Near family? In warm weather? What type of lifestyle do you desire? Quiet and serene in nature yet near to a small town? Active community with lots of senior social events easily available to you? When you note your desires, you can then look into the practical implications of a plan to give you what will make you happy.

In addition to writing down your desires, ask yourself a few questions about the possible challenges and how you can meet them to stay on track. What could be additional costs down the road that could hinder your vision? Consider health care costs, the expected and the unexpected. How much is it going to cost to maintain your present home? What is your debt going to require down the road? Tally with honesty these costs so they can be a part of your plan up front.

Talk about money now. Erase the unspoken assumptions that exist between you, your spouse and/or your family. These types of conversations are not always easy, but they are always fruitful. Being clear with those we love can give everyone the gift of ease when the time for you to pass does arrive. Is inheritance part of the equation? Do your children want this? How do you and your spouse look at retirement and desires? Are your desires the same? For instance, you may want to travel (higher expense) and your spouse may want to spend long hours in their garden. When it comes to inheritance, they may have a different view, have you talked about it?

Even if all the details are not worked out, the lines of communication will be open and decisions can be made from a place of consideration for all, including yourself. Oftentimes the answers can be surprising when we ask questions and allow those we love to share freely.

Once you identify your vision, and look to a plan, you may discover that reverse mortgage can be foundational to achieving your dream. Created to aid those in our society having worked all their lives to have a time of true rest, a reverse mortgage gives access to equity in your home, value that is already yours. It could eliminate expenses that limit reaching your goals, help you move from one home to the home that fits your new lifestyle, and even give a sense of ease to those with limited incomes. It is certainly a tool worth considering for your retirement plan.

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.

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 Exactly is a Reverse Mortgage Line of Credit?

Posted on July 20, 2016August 1, 2016 by janjordan

Reverse mortgages aren’t new, but the shifting perspective on them certainly is. After undergoing various regulation changes the past couple years, everyone is taking a second look. Real estate agents are seeking more information on the Reverse Mortgage for Purchase so they can offer this option to their senior buyers. Adult children are realizing the myths they’d heard over the years are just that – myths. And now retirement experts are suggesting adding home equity into the equation when helping retirees plan for their golden years.

Reverse mortgages are very versatile when it comes to ways to access funds, but this article is going to focus on one that is quickly gaining in popularity – the Reverse Mortgage Line of Credit.

What is a Reverse Mortgage Line of Credit?

The line of credit option allows homeowners to tap into the equity of their home and have access to the funds whenever needed, but unlike a lump sum or monthly payments, they don’t have to withdraw any funds at all and can keep it as a safety net. Or the funds can be used when needed to supplement retirement income. The options are endless.

How is the amount on a line of credit determined?

Just like all reverse mortgages, the amount is determined based on the age of the borrower and the appraised value of the home. The older the borrower and the more the home is worth, the larger the line of credit will initially be. Borrowers also are not required to use all the available equity in their home as the line of credit, and they have options to combine it with other funding sources such as monthly installments or even a home purchase.

Will the line of credit funding amount ever change?

Yes and no. Unlike other reverse mortgage funding options, a line of credit will increase at a compounding rate determine by HUD – and on the flip side, it will never decrease even if home values depreciate.

Why get a Line of Credit now rather than wait until I’m sure I need it?

Retirement experts are recommending to many clients to include the reverse mortgage line of credit in their retirement portfolios from the get-go for various reasons. One, the housing market is strong right now and appraised home values are high. Two, as the years go on, these programs change and it may not be available in 10 years, but anyone who has an already established line of credit will always be ‘grandfathered’ into the program, even if it is eliminated in the future. And three, in the case of economic downturn where investments are affected, having the line of credit immediately available can be a future safety net.

Is a Reverse Mortgage Line of Credit FHA Insured?

Typically yes, as long you are working with a reputable reverse mortgage lender, the line of credit will be FHA insured just like any other reverse mortgage product. This means there are protections and guarantees in place for the borrower that will never falter.

Reverse mortgage are available to seniors 62 and over throughout Colorado and Wyoming.

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

5 Interesting Facts About Reverse Mortgages

Posted on July 16, 2016August 1, 2016 by janjordan

Reverse mortgages have made a serious comeback in the past couple years. After regulation changes were enacted in 2015, the reverse mortgage loan once considered a desperate lifeline is now being used as a retirement tool for even the wealthy. The loans are still only available to seniors 62 and older (including married couples) with the amount of funds available increasing depending on age and appraised value of the home, but now those funds are often being accessed in ways not available before – such as a line of credit or to purchase a home. This really is not your mother’s reverse mortgage, it’s something much more versatile than it was years ago.

Here are some lesser known facts about today’s reverse mortgage:

1.) I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – the borrower will always remain the homeowner as long as basic responsibilities such as property taxes are paid, homeowners insurance is kept current, and utilities and HOA fees are paid. One of reverse mortgage’s scariest myths has always been that a bank will own the home. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Not only will the borrower remain the homeowner, they will also retain the title.

2.) There are NO mortgage or loan payments. That’s correct. Regardless of how the borrower decides to utilize the reverse mortgage funds, they will not pay a loan or mortgage payment while they remain in the home.

3.) With a Reverse Mortgage for Purchase, borrowers can wrap both the home purchase and the reverse mortgage into the same transaction allowing them to buy their dream home – AND the reverse mortgage will substantially supplement purchasing power allowing a home to be purchased that may have once been out of their price range. When using a Reverse Mortgage for Purchase, the borrower is required to provide some down payment and the reverse mortgage funds will make up the rest of the purchase price.

4.) Married couples can both be on the loan regardless of how the funds are utilized. Another all too common myth is that in the case of a married couple, if one spouse passes away the other spouse will be evicted. When working with a reputable reverse mortgage lender this should never happen. As long as both spouses are 62 or over, they can both be on the loan allowing either borrower to stay in the home until the last spouses passes away or permanently leaves the home.

5.) Heirs are not “saddled” with the debt of a reverse mortgage. After the borrower(s) pass away, there are several options as to what the heirs can do with the home. And in today’s hot housing market, the home may gain equity that can be available to the heirs. Most all reverse mortgages are FHA insured meaning the loan will never exceed the amount of the home sale – even if more is owed, and it also means it will only ever require the amount of the loan even if the home is worth much more when it comes due.

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

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.

How Reverse Mortgage Helped a 100 year old Man Age at Home

Posted on June 22, 2016July 4, 2016 by janjordan

Awhile back I closed a reverse mortgage loan for a 100 year old gentleman. This was my first time closing a loan for someone of his age. He lives at home with 24 hour care at a cost of $10,000 a month. When I was sitting at the closing table with the client and his lawyer, the lawyer mentioned that that he could move to an assisted living facility at half the cost ($5,000/month).

This gentleman’s quick sharp answer back to everyone? “NO…. I’m staying in my home.”

Deciding whether aging at home, moving in with family, or moving to an assisted living facility is right for you or your loved ones can be very complicated and emotional. Since reverse mortgages can open up opportunity to turn home equity into liquid cash, without having to move or make a mortgage loan payment, seniors and their families are often using this opportunity to pay for care that would otherwise not be covered by basic Medicare, Medicaid or health insurance.

Studies have shown that the benefits of aging in place can be enormous for the right candidate. Not only can a move be both emotionally and physically challenging on a senior, especially one with medical concerns, it’s known that the quality of life tends to increase when seniors maintain their independence and their community ties.

With reverse mortgages being available to homeowners 62 and over, I was honored to have been given the opportunity to help this 100 year old gentleman stay in his home – where he felt the happiest and most comfortable.

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

Do You Need A Colorado Elder Law Attorney?

Posted on June 15, 2016January 2, 2017 by janjordan

Elder law is a relatively unknown segment of law and is often overlooked when seeking legal solutions. But for some seniors and their families an elder law attorney may be exactly what they need. Elder law is very broad and includes things like estate planning, probate, guardianship, real estate, nursing home neglect and a dozen other areas of law that are nearly exclusive to the elderly. Typically one lawyer will not have expertise in every area, but will instead work with a network of attorneys who can supplement in specific areas when needed and vice versa. Also, keep in mind just because an individual is elderly does not mean they need an elder law attorney. Elder law is focused on legal problems specific to the elderly. Concerns with other areas of law may best be handled by attorneys dedicated to those areas.

An elder law attorney should be educated and informed on reverse mortgage. It is common for them to receive questions from clients, former clients, and their families about reverse mortgage when establishing estate plans or when they are considering a reverse mortgage for the first time. Although reverse mortgages can be an excellent and safe tool for many homeowners, they are not for everyone and are most effective when used as part of a financial and estate plan. It is highly encouraged to make sure any question receives an adequate answer when considering reverse mortgage – and often elder law attorneys are part of that equation. This can also help with avoiding reverse mortgage scams.

Here are a few questions to ask when seeking out a an elder law attorney:

How long has the attorney been practicing?
What percentage of the attorney’s practice is devoted to elder law?
Does his or her practice emphasize a particular area of elder law? (for instance, guardianship or other specific work)
How much elder law training has the attorney had, and from what organizations?
Is the attorney a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys?
Will the attorney be able to work within your time limitations?

In addition to a legal network, an elder law attorney should be familiar with the “elder network”, a network of public and private community resources to assist seniors in various capacities. This should include 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.

Are You Prepared to Take Care of Your Parents?

Posted on May 18, 2016May 29, 2016 by janjordan

The cost of eldercare is staggering. And so is the toll it takes on an adult child. Are you prepared for either? Or both?

A recent MetLife study estimated that the total cost incurred by the caregiver alone (not including the costs directly related to care) is an average of $324,044. The financially impact can be similar to having children, but without the planning. So, how can one prepare for this? Here are a few suggestions:
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1.) Talk with other siblings and relatives. Have any of them considered this? Do they have plans or ideas they haven’t shared? Utilizing networks early on can help alleviate worry down the road.

2.) Talk with mom and dad. Not always the easiest or most comfortable conversation to have, but a very important one nonetheless. Find out what they want these upcoming years to look like, and what kind of long term care insurance, pensions, and home equity they may have. Do they have a retirement planner that as factored any of this?

3.) Look into long term care options and weigh out the costs along with the pros and cons. Although your parents are your parents, and you love them dearly, you may not be the best option as a caregiver among the many options available today.

4.) Consider a reverse mortgage. The once frowned upon reverse mortgage program is now being utilized to brighten long term retirement scenarios. This FHA insured loan not only eliminates mortgage payments but allows the borrower to access the equity in their home via monthly installments, a line of credit, or sometimes even a lump sum. This is a great option for those wishing to age at home, as the loan does not come due until the last borrower passes away or leaves the home permanently.

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

Delay Social Security Benefits with a Reverse Mortgage

Posted on February 24, 2016April 19, 2016 by janjordan

When planning for retirement, there will no doubt be a discussion about when a retiree should start taking their Social Security benefits.

There are perks to delaying, for example Social Security benefits stand to increase as much as 7-8% per year if you don’t apply until age 70. But many seniors need this income. With the ability to apply for a reverse mortgage at the age of 62, and current low interest rates, retirees stand to actually make gains by using a reverse mortgage to supplement while delaying benefits.

When approved for a reverse mortgage, the borrower can choose from a variety of ways to access the funds. It could be a monthly installment, a lump sum, or even a line of credit that in itself stands to grow over time.

This is a creative way to use the hard earned equity in your home to your benefit. A well educated financial advisor would easily be able to help you decide if this is a good option. Reverse mortgages are available to seniors 62 and over, including married couples, with an approved type of home. The borrower will always retain the title to the home and reverse mortgages are insured by the FHA.

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