Should You Pay Of Your Traditional Mortgage With A Reverse Mortgage?

Posted on by Janis Layman

Reverse Mortgage Seattle Lynnwood Edmonds Shoreline WashingtonA recently released university report by the Michigan Retirement Research Center and funded by the Social Security Administration showed that 55% of those utilizing a reverse mortgage are using some of the proceeds to pay off a traditional mortgage.

So, when is this a good strategy?

1.) They’re living in a house they can’t afford

When many older adults reach retirement, they have to figure out out how to live on a fixed income and how to make their other retirement assets last for what is often decades.  Tapping into a reverse mortgage will both eliminate the weight of the mortgage payment, and often even allow extra funds to use throughout the remainder of their lives.

2.) They want to purchase a different home

It’s not uncommon for retirees to purchase a home in retirement.  But few know they can do this with a reverse mortgage instead of a conventional one. This allows buyers to either preserve assets and income, or purchase a home that would typically be out of their price range.  Click here to learn more about the Reverse Mortgage for Purchase program.

3.)  They don’t want to interrupt performing assets

For those with retirement investments that are doing well, drawing from these to make mortgage payments could be a bad move.  Using a reverse mortgage to eliminate mortgage payments can be a win-win in the long run.

Reverse mortgages use the equity in your home to allow access to cash through monthly payments, a lump sum, or a line of credit while living mortgage payment free.  The borrower and the home must meet certain qualifications, such as age (62 or older), and HUD’s  home eligibility requirements, and they must also continue to pay and maintain certain responsibilities such as property taxes and homeowners insurance.

Janis Layman is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Seattle, Lynnwood, Edmonds, and Shoreline areas of Washington.  Contact Janis and learn if reverse mortgage is right for yo

Washington’s Reverse Mortgage for Purchase – Everything You Need To Know

Posted on by Janis Layman

Reverse Mortgage Seattle Lynnwood Edmonds Shoreline WashingtonReverse 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”. 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.

Janis Layman is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Seattle, Lynnwood, Edmonds, and Shoreline areas of Washington.  Contact Janis and learn if reverse mortgage is right for you.

 

Should You Use A Reverse Mortgage To Fund In-Home Care?

Posted on by Janis Layman

Reverse Mortgage Seattle Lynnwood Edmonds Shoreline WashingtonAccording to statistics, there’s a 70% chance seniors over 65 will need some sort of long term care such as in-home care, skilled nursing, or assisted living at some point during their lives.  Although there are various ways to pay for such care, like Medicare, Medicaid, or health insurance, these options often come with limits and additional costs.

For homeowners 62 and over reverse mortgage should be another option considered to fund long-term care.  These tax-free loans convert a portion of home equity into cash without incurring a loan payment.  Borrowers can access the funds via monthly installments, line of credit, a lump sum, and even to purchase a home.

The reverse mortgage line of credit is a great option when facing the future needs of long term care.  This option allows homeowners to secure this FHA insured loan at the current interest rate, then only use the funds when needed – and the line of credit grows as the borrower ages.

Unlike a traditional loan or a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), there are no loan or mortgage payments as long as the borrower lives in the home.   The line of credit comes due either when the last borrower permanently moves out or passes away, in which case the heirs or the estate could pay the loan back either through sale of the home or other means. Depending on how much of the line of credit has been tapped, this could result in significant equity left to heirs. If you never used the line of credit, the equity would still be in place and would pass to heirs along with the home.

Janis Layman is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Seattle, Lynnwood, Edmonds, and Shoreline areas of Washington.  Contact Janis and learn if reverse mortgage is right for you.

Watch Out for Reverse Mortgage Scams in Seattle, WA

Posted on by Janis Layman

Reverse Mortgage Seattle Lynnwood Edmonds Shoreline WashingtonYou may hear about email scams, telephone scams, door-to-door soliciting scams – but what about reverse mortgage scams? Unfortunately just as we have scams in every segment of society and at every opportunity, reverse mortgages and seniors are not immune to such activity.

In the past decade, reverse mortgages also known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HCEM), have increased more than 1,300 percent! This certainly offers an astounding opportunity for fraud perpetrators.

What do reverse mortgage scams look like?

Victims may be offered a free home, an investment opportunity, or foreclosure and refinance assistance. Senior citizens are often unsuspecting targets for scammers, as they are not familiar with the multitude of unscrupulous and dishonest “programs” that exist. Scammers reach their victims often through churches, investment seminars, television, radio, billboard, and mailer advertisements.

When considering a reverse mortgage product, it is very important to research the company. Most reverse mortgages are insured by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). Seek out companies that are a member of the Better Business Bureau and associated with the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association.

Tips for Avoiding Reverse Mortgage Scams:

• Do not respond to unsolicited advertisements.
• Be suspicious of anyone claiming that you can own a home with no down payment.
• Do not sign anything that you do not fully understand.
• Do not accept payment from individuals for a home you did not purchase.
• Seek out your own reverse mortgage counselor.

Janis Layman is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Seattle, Lynnwood, Edmonds, and Shoreline areas of Washington.  Contact Janis and learn if reverse mortgage is right for you.

3 Important Changes for Reverse Mortgages in 2017

Posted on by Janis Layman

Reverse Mortgage Seattle Lynnwood Edmonds Shoreline WashingtonThe reverse mortgage program is constantly evolving and has been since it’s inception nearly six decades ago.  With the ever changing needs of older Americans and the revolving door of politics, making positive movement is a necessary part of the big picture, and these changes are largely beneficial to the industry as a whole and it’s consumers.

Here’s what to look for in 2017:

Increased Loan Limits – The loan limit for HECM reverse mortgages is increasing for the first time in nearly a decade.  The limit will change from $625,500 to $636,150.  The FHA made the limit increase announcement on December 1, 2016 and it went into effect on January 1, 2017. This new limit will apply only to case numbers issued on or after January 1, 2017.

Interest Rates Likely To Rise – In December 2016 the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the very first time since 2009 and it’s been indicated they expect to raise rates three more times in 2017.  For those considering a reverse mortgage, the current interest rate is a factor in how much they can borrow but once a homeowner has a reverse mortgage secured on their home, they lock in the interest rate. In addition, the funds available will increase over time when using the line of credit option based on interest rates.

Rising Home Prices – Home values in many markets are nearly back to where they were 10 years ago prior to the housing collapse.  Because another factor that goes into how much a borrower can receive from a reverse mortgage is the appraised value of the home, this is important to the industry and those tapping into the equity of their home.

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.

Janis Layman is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Seattle, Lynnwood, Edmonds, and Shoreline areas of Washington.  Contact Janis and learn if reverse mortgage is right for you.

 

Reverse Mortgage Terms to Know – Part 3

Posted on by Janis Layman

Reverse Mortgage Seattle Lynnwood Edmonds Shoreline WashingtonPretty soon you will find yourself versed in the language of reverse mortgage. There are a number of reasons this will be helpful. First of all, you can read information on your own and understand the basic meaning. Second, you will be able to understand what your counselor has to share with you as the outline and give the valuable consulting time to deeper questions. And third, you can protect yourself from scams and those who would try to use terminology that could mislead you.  This final installment of “Terms to Know” focuses on terms you may run across when applying for and finalizing the loan.  As with any contract, it’s important to read and understand what is in it.  I hope this will help.  You can find the previous installments to this series by clicking here for “Terms to Know – Part 1” or click here for “Terms to know – Part 2” and here for “Terms to Know – Interest Rates“.

There are a few different kinds of advances to know. The first would be a Loan Advance which simply means the payment to the borrower or their designated party, it is an umbrella term under which the other advances fall. Another would be a Fixed Monthly Loan Advance which is exactly what is sounds like, the payment made monthly that remains the same to the borrower. A Term Advance is the same as a Fixed Monthly Loan Advance except that it is for a period of time and not the length of the loan. The last is a Tenure Advance which is a fixed monthly loan advance for the duration of time the borrower is living in the home.

If you receive the entire loan at closing this is called a Lump Sum. Sometimes a Lump Sum comes from a DPL, or Deferred Payment Loan. This type of loan gives you cash for home repair or maintenance and is usually offered on the local or state government level. From time to time the government may take hold of property for community use, such as building a needed highway, the right to do this is called Eminent Domain. A Credit Line is another way to employ a reverse mortgage for your needs. It is an account that lets the borrower decide how much and when they would like to take money. Line of Credit is another term for the same credit account.

Two terms common to the end of a reverse mortgage and the beginning of repayment are Loan Balance and Leftover Equity. The Loan Balance is the amount owed. It is capped in a reverse mortgage by the value of the home at the time the loan is repaid and will be the sum of principal and interest. If you take the sale price of the home and subtract out the cost of selling it and the amount owed you will get the Leftover Equity. This is what either the homeowner or the heirs will receive.

Reverse mortgages are available to seniors 62 and over, including married couples.  The funds can be accessed in a variety of ways including monthly installments, a line of credit, a lump sum, and to purchase a home.  Homeowners with a reverse mortgage will be able to stay in the home as long as they desire and the will NEVER have a loan payment until the last borrower permanently leaves the residence.

Janis Layman is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Seattle, Lynnwood, Edmonds, and Shoreline areas of Washington.  Contact Janis and learn if reverse mortgage is right for you.

 

Reverse Mortgage Terms to Know – Part 2

Posted on by Janis Layman

Reverse Mortgage Seattle Lynnwood Edmonds Shoreline WashingtonIn continuing my series of “Terms to Know”, this third installment goes over some very common acronyms used in the reverse mortgage industry.  Understanding what these mean can help with understanding on a more detailed level when doing research or speaking with a specialist, as well as when applying for or finalizing the loan.   You can find “Terms to Know- Part 1” of this series here, and “Terms to Know – Interest Rates”, by clicking here.

There are a few notable agencies involved in the federally created reverse mortgage system. These are HUD, FHA, and AAA. All are designed to help the one seeking a reverse mortgage understand the process and proceed safely. Like any product where the lender is receiving advantage alongside the borrower, it is good to be cautioned about scams. The best route when considering a reverse mortgage is to always work with a reputable reverse mortgage specialist.

The HUD is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. They not only instituted the reverse mortgage (aka HECM – Home Equity Conversion Mortgage) program, but also provide solid third party counselors to help you sift through the options and make sure all questions are answered. The FHA is the Federal Housing Administration. It is the part of the HUD that insures reverse mortgages.

The AAA stands for Area Agency for Aging. This organization provides information and resources for aging adults. They can be found as non-profit agencies right in your town or region. Not only can you find information about the variety of reverse mortgage options but many other resources available to senior citizens.

A reverse mortgage can be called both HECM and Reverse Mortgage, but they are the same thing, the terms are interchangeable.   They are also often referred to as Federally Insured or FHA Insured Reverse Mortgages.  Another term you may run across is Model Specifications; these are recommended rules for both analyzing and comparing reverse mortgages.

Reverse mortgages are available to seniors 62 and over, including married couples.  The funds can be accessed in a variety of ways including monthly installments, a line of credit, a lump sum, and to purchase a home.  Homeowners with a reverse mortgage will be able to stay in the home as long as they desire and they will NEVER have a loan payment until the last borrower permanently leaves the residence.

Janis Layman is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Seattle, Lynnwood, Edmonds, and Shoreline areas of Washington.  Contact Janis and learn if reverse mortgage is right for you.

How Reverse Mortgage Helps With Divorce

Posted on by Janis Layman

Reverse Mortgage Seattle Lynnwood Edmonds Shoreline WashingtonIt’s becoming more and more common for seniors to divorce after retirement.  This is happening for various reasons, but a big one is that retirement now lasts for decades versus only years, and many people are looking to make those golden years the best yet.

But senior divorces can get messy, as there are often many assets to sort out.  During divorce negotiations, a home is often one of these assets.  This home is possibly owned free and clear, or with a lot of equity.  For divorcees age 62 and over, a reverse mortgage can be used as a tool to help with settling this asset during divorce.  The great thing about reverse mortgage is it allows someone to stay in the home and live mortgage payment free, AND access funds from the equity.  Here are a couple scenarios in which reverse mortgage would be of benefit.

Scenario 1: When splitting the home asset, instead of selling the home, one party could be allowed to stay in the home and obtain a reverse mortgage, of which the other party receives the funds from.  This can be a win-win.  In cases like this, the financial settlement can even be wrapped into the loan if the divorce is final before the closing.  This would mean a reverse mortgage would be part of the divorce settlement discussion.  It is important to understand that the party that remains in the home will be responsible for certain obligations pertaining to the home, such as property taxes and homeowners insurance.

Scenario 2: Possibly you’re used to living off two incomes – whether it be from work, or social security and pensions.  Suddenly dropping down to one income can be devastating.  In cases like this getting the home in divorce proceedings can be a huge benefit, as once the divorce is final, a reverse mortgage could be obtained on the home.  The funds could come in monthly installments, a line of credit (that grows), or a lump sum.  In addition, if you wanted to sell the home and move, a reverse mortgage could be used to purchase the new home – and can even allow you seek homes that would otherwise not be in your price range.  The best part?  You will always live mortgage payment free.

If you are considering a divorce, or sifting through the process, don’t hesitate to contact me to further understand how reverse mortgage can help, and whether or not you qualify.

Janis Layman is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Seattle, Lynnwood, Edmonds, and Shoreline areas of Washington.  Contact Janis and learn if reverse mortgage is right for you.

Only 3% of Seniors Use a Reverse Mortgage to Buy A Home – But Why?

Posted on by Janis Layman

Reverse Mortgage Seattle Lynnwood Edmonds Shoreline WashingtonA recent statistical survey showed that only 3% of senior home buyers were even considering using a reverse mortgage to the make the purchase, compared to 48% who were planning to use a conventional mortgage.  But why is this?

The Reverse Mortgage for Purchase program is not new, but knowledge about it is.  This program efficiently wraps the home purchase and the reverse mortgage into the same transaction allowing the home buyer to purchase the home they want AND live mortgage payment free as long as they live in it.  Available to seniors 62 and older, reverse mortgages are available in various forms – a lump sum, monthly installments, a line of credit, and yes, even a home purchase.  The first options are widely advertised and information about them is broad.  But the last option, the home purchase option, is still relatively unheard of.

Here’s why I think this home purchasing tool is so broadly under-utilized:

• Realtors aren’t educated enough on the option, therefore they don’t suggest it.  When someone is considering purchasing a new home, the realtor is often the first point of contact.  If more realtors understood how this powerful program works AND how it can help their own bottom line, it would be used more frequently.

• Buyers are starting with a conventional mortgage company seeking pre-approval to determine how much they can obtain a loan for and how much the payment would be.  Even if the buyer has taken this route prior to looking at homes, they should still be informed about the Reverse Mortgage for Purchase program for two very important reasons.  One, it increases their purchasing power allowing the buyer to shop in a market that may be well above what a conventional mortgage would approve.  And two, they will live mortgage payment free unlike is possible with a conventional mortgage.

• Cash home purchases are very enticing.  For buyers considering using cash from retirement, inheritance, insurance, another home sale or asset liquidation the idea of being able to buy a home outright is gold.  Again, two problems can be encountered here. One, the housing market is booming and a cash buy often results in less home, while a reverse mortgage will contribute to the cost of the home allowing for more house for less money.  Two, these seniors will tie up all their cash in a home making them “home rich” but “cash poor.”  The reverse mortgage purchase allows the buyer to keep a hefty chunk of their cash, or combine the home purchase with other forms of a reverse mortgage, such as a line of credit.

There will always be senior home buyers that are not a fit for the Reverse Mortgage for Purchase program, but any professional in the real estate industry is doing a disservice to not make sure their clients understand this option.  For more detailed information about this program, click here.  Retirement Funding Solutions often hosts detailed webinars open to all real estate professionals.  If you’re interested in being informed when one is scheduled, subscribe to my e-newsletter and you will receive the notices directly from me.

Janis Layman is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Seattle, Lynnwood, Edmonds, and Shoreline areas of Washington.  Contact Janis and learn if reverse mortgage is right for you.

Can Reverse Mortgage Rescue A Looming Retirement Crisis?

Posted on by Janis Layman

Reverse Mortgage Seattle Lynnwood Edmonds Shoreline WashingtonNumbers are being released showing that the impending retirement crisis may be worse than originally thought.

Half of Americans have less than $10,000 in savings.  Nearly half of the oldest Baby Boomer generation have insufficient resources to pay for basic retirement living expenses and healthcare costs.

The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College estimates that our “retirement income deficit” is $6.6 trillion. That number represents the gap between pension and retirement savings that American households have today and what they should have to maintain their standard of living in retirement.

Over 6 million American seniors are living in poverty.  This number is expected to grow by 33% by the year 2020.

These stats are concerning not only for the retirees, but also their families. A reverse mortgage can help by becoming an important piece of retirement planning. Seniors, 62 years and older now have the ability to fund or protect their retirement using the equity in their homes, alleviating mortgage payments, and receiving the funds via a line of credit, monthly payments, or at times a lump sum.  In addition, a reverse mortgage can now be used to purchase a home!

For many, this option makes a world of difference, allowing for the sought after prosperous retirement years instead of barely scraping by on a budget. And the reverse mortgage funds can be used for any purpose the borrower chooses, and is often used to help with every day expenses, for long term medical costs, or to guard assets.

Janis Layman is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Seattle, Lynnwood, Edmonds, and Shoreline areas of Washington.  Contact Janis and learn if reverse mortgage is right for you.