Reverse Mortgage – Common Issues

by Barry Waxller

The reverse mortgage is getting a lot of play these days in the media, but what is it exactly? Let’s take a closer look at it and some of the issues that arise.

The reverse mortgage is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of you making payments to a lender, the lender makes payments to you. While that may sound fantastic, the similarities pretty much end there.

Equity. The reverse mortgage equity loan is all about equity. Every payment the lender makes to you is in exchange for a slice of the equity in your property. Unlike your traditional home loan, the balance due on the loan goes up.

The number one question regarding reverse mortgages has to do with equity. Specifically, what happens if the equity is all used up before the borrower dies or the home is sold? Do you lose the home, get foreclosed on or what?

This is exactly what happened when these loans were first offered. This unsavory result did not stand. The federal government got involved. In most current situations, you are allowed to remain in the home, but payments to you stop.

If you are going to be giving away equity, what size of payments can you expect? There is no simple answer. Factors such as the amount of the reverse mortgage, your age, costs and so on all go into the calculation of the payment amount.

Finally, the biggest factor is the particular plan you choose. You will have a choice of different options that produce different payments and so on. The situation is similar to the one in which you decide upon a mortgage for a home you buy.

What happens if you realize you should have gone in a different direction? Can you refinance your home to get out of the loan? Yes, so long as you pay off the amount due on the reverse mortgage. Make sure to check the fine print for prepayment penalties.

Another issue that arises is appreciation. What happens if your home appreciates over time? Can you get at the new equity? In most cases, you can. Whether this has to occur through a refinance or a modification to the reverse mortgage is a case by case decision.

So what happens when you reach the end of the line? In such a situation, the home is handled just like one with a traditional home loan. Your heirs will either sell it or come up with the money to pay off the reverse mortgage.

In some cases, the reverse mortgage makes sense. In others, it does not. The only way to make a determination is to discuss the details with a financial professional.

About the Author:
Common Reverse Mortgage Uses

Reverse mortgages have turn out to be a very common alternative for seniors. They\'re so popular because it affords the householder the liberty to apply the funds of the home loan for whatever they prefer. As the homeowner has absolute...

Because reverse mortgages work unlike a regular home loan, you want to be aware of the principal pitfalls of a reverse mortgage. Learning of these problems ahead of time can save you thousands of dollars over the span of the mortgage.

First, you need to learn that no all senior reverse mortgages are the same. Before applying for a reverse home mortgage, you want to ensure that you are electing the right one. The two principal types are the private reverse...

How Does a Reverse Mortgage Work: The Basics

Because a seniors reverse home mortgage is dissimilar from a typical home mortgage, a lot of people ask themselves how does a reverse mortgage work. Because it\'s a major economical decision, it\'s a very good thought to understand as much...

Types of Reverse Mortgage Available

Reverse home mortgages aid seniors over 62 take advantage of the equity in their homes that has been created over the time they have been in the home. It can help seniors because it can be used as a type...

Reverse Mortgage Pros and Cons: What You Want to Know

A reverse mortgage is a recent type of mortgage available to seniors who hold a considerable amount of equity in their house. Because it functions different than a regular mortgage, it is a good idea to comprehend about the reverse...