Reverse Mortgages: Information You Need to Know

Reverse Mortgages are exploding in popularity and as the baby boomers reach age 62 and beyond they will become eligible to cash in on their home equity with a reverse mortgage.

A reverse mortgage is a home loan that you do not have to pay back for as long as you live in your home. It can be paid to you in one lump sum, as a regular monthly income, or at the times and in the amounts you want. The loan and interest are repaid only when you sell your home, permanently move away, or die.

Who is eligible for a Reverse Mortgage?

All homeowners must be at least 62 years old.
At least one owner must live in the house most of the year.

What kind of homes are eligible for a Reverse Mortgage?

Single family, one-unit dwellings.
Two-to-four unit, owner-occupied dwellings.
Some condominiums, planned unit developments or manufactured homes.
NOTE: Cooperatives and most mobile homes are not eligible.

How does a Reverse Mortgage work?

Most require no repayment for as long as you live in your home. They are repaid in full when the last living borrower dies, sells the home, or permanently moves away. Because you make no monthly payments, the amount you owe grows larger over time. By law, you can never owe more than your home's value at the time the loan is repaid. You continue to own the home, so you must pay the property taxes, insurance, and repairs. If you fail to pay these, the lender can use the loan to make payments or require you to pay the loan in full.

How do you receive money from a Reverse Mortgage and how much money can you get?

Reverse mortgages can be paid to you:

- All at once in cash;
- As a monthly income;
- As a credit line that lets you decide how much you want and when;
- In any combination of the above.

The amount you get usually depends on your age, your home's value and location, and the cost of the loan. The greatest amounts typically go to the oldest owners living in the most expensive homes getting loans with the lowest costs.

Most people get the most money from the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HELM), a federally insured program.

What are the different type of Reverse Mortgages available?

Loans offered by some states and local governments are generally for specific purposes, such as paying for home repairs or property taxes. These are the lowest cost reverse mortgages. Loans offered by some banks and mortgage companies can be used for any purpose.

How much does a Reverse Mortgage cost?

The costs for loans from banks and mortgage companies usually include the following:

- Application fee
- Insurance
- Origination fee
- Monthly service fee
- Closing costs
- Interest

These costs are usually added to the loan balance (what you owe). HECM loans are almost always the least expensive reverse mortgage you can get from a bank or mortgage company, and in many cases are significantly less costly than other reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgages are most expensive in the early years of the loan and generally become less costly over time. Before getting a reverse mortgage other than a government or HECM loan, carefully consider how much more it will cost you.

What else should I know about Reverse Mortgages?

The federal government requires you to see a federally-approved reverse mortgage counselor as part of getting a HECM reverse mortgage.

Allen Daniels offers a Free Online Video about Reverse Mortgages that shows you How to Cash in With Reverse Mortgages. You can view the video at http://www.ReverseMortgageTips.com/

In The News:


Google News
Updated : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:08:18 GMT

Fannie, Freddie Capital Concerns Prompt Paulson Plan (Update1) - Bloomberg


ABC News
Fannie, Freddie Capital Concerns Prompt Paulson Plan (Update1)
Bloomberg - 1 hour ago
By Dawn Kopecki and Alison Vekshin Sept. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson decided to take control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac after a review found the beleaguered mortgage-finance companies used accounting methods that inflated their ...
Video: Obama Calls for Changes in Mortgage Giants AssociatedPress
RPT-US Treasury sets news conference;GSE plan expected Reuters
MarketWatch - New York Times - USA Today - Forbes
all 2,446 news articles

Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:59:54 GMT

Reuters Entertainment Summary - Washington Post

Reuters Entertainment Summary
Washington Post - 3 hours ago
VENICE (Reuters) - Eleven days of red carpet galas, 21 films in competition and countless interviews, photo calls and parties at the Venice film festival boiled down to just one man in the end -- Mickey Rourke.
Aronofsky Gracefully Wrestles Golden Lion Out Of Venice eFluxMedia
Buyers mixed on Toronto films Hollywood Reporter
San Jose Mercury News - Bloomberg - Variety - Los Angeles Times
all 509 news articles

Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:41:41 GMT

Federer is set for his fifth consecutive US Open final (Keystone) - Swissinfo


San Diego Union Tribune
Federer is set for his fifth consecutive US Open final (Keystone)
Swissinfo - 29 minutes ago
Switzerland's Roger Federer has won his semifinal at Flushing Meadows against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in four sets, 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2.
Video: Federer Beats Djokovic to Reach US Open Final AssociatedPress
Federer Reaches Final Before Rain New York Times
BBC Sport - Los Angeles Times - Fort Worth Star Telegram - Boston Globe
all 2,879 news articles

Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:38:36 GMT

Malkovich gets mad in Coens' 'Burn After Reading' - The Associated Press


Canada.com
Malkovich gets mad in Coens' 'Burn After Reading'
The Associated Press - 36 minutes ago
TORONTO (AP) - The Coen brothers' new movie gave John Malkovich a chance to blow off some steam. Malkovich's seething character in "Burn After Reading" bursts out in perpetual tantrums, a nice exercise in anger management, according to the actor.
Toronto Film Festival vs. Brangelina – Who Gets the Spotlight? eFluxMedia
Pitt Rocks to Madonna FOXNews
Newsweek - Dallas Morning News - Los Angeles Times - Reuters
all 331 news articles

Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:31:53 GMT

Suicide blast kills 35 in Pakistan; Zardari set to take power - International Herald Tribune


Boston Globe
Suicide blast kills 35 in Pakistan; Zardari set to take power
International Herald Tribune - 53 minutes ago
AP, The New York Times PESHAWAR, Pakistan: The death toll in a devastating suicide blast has reached 35, officials said Sunday, as Pakistan prepared for Benazir Bhutto's widower to take over as president.
Pakistan's Zardari urged to change image and focus Reuters
Pakistan's Zardari prepares for presidency AFP
PRESS TV - Los Angeles Times - Monsters and Critics.com - Xinhua
all 3,657 news articles

Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:14:31 GMT

Michigan spared sting of West Nile - Detroit Free Press

Michigan spared sting of West Nile
Detroit Free Press - 6 hours ago
BY SHERI McWHIRTER • RECORD-EAGLE • September 7, 2008 TRAVERSE CITY -- West Nile virus hasn't seriously bitten Michigan this year and seems to have spared the state's northern reaches.
Yes, the mosquitoes were nasty this summer Yakima Herald-Republic
Aerial survey being conducted to find mosquito breeding grounds San Jose Mercury News
Lower Hudson Journal news - San Francisco Chronicle - Shelbyville News - Los Angeles Times
all 362 news articles

Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:53:44 GMT

Health Buzz: Immunosuppressive Drug Warning and Other Health News - U.S. News & World Report


dBTechno
Health Buzz: Immunosuppressive Drug Warning and Other Health News
U.S. News & World Report - Sep 5, 2008
The Food and Drug Administration has asked the manufacturers of Humira, Cimzia, Enbrel, and Remicade—which belong to a class of medications known as tumor necrosis factor alpha blockers (TNF-alpha blockers)—to strengthen the warning for risk of fungal ...
FDA urges more caution over TNF blocker infections Reuters
Arthritis Drugs Linked to Risks From Infection New York Times
WebMD - eFluxMedia - Scientific American
all 622 news articles

Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:23:08 GMT

Automate Your Blogging
Display RSS Feeds on Your Website


PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Internet & Mortgage Calculations

"You've been approved!" The words you have always wanted to... Read More

Secured Lending - a Guide to Releasing the Value in Your Home

The recent boom in house price values have made some... Read More

Mortgage Refinancing - Does Size Matter After All?

Hopefully your ego has never had to experience the words,... Read More

Home Loans and Mortgages ? The Selection Can Be Bewildering

For years, when someone wanted to purchase or refinance a... Read More

Home Mortgage Loans For People With Bad Credit

Getting a home loan with bad credit has actually never... Read More

UK Mortages: A Guide Through The Maze

Types of UK MortgagesYou may be wasting your money with... Read More

Mortgage Terminology for the First Time Home Buyer

Buying a Home for the first time can be a... Read More

Seniors Can Use a Reverse Mortgage to Fund Annuities, Investments, and Insurance Policies

For many seniors in or entering retirement, the prospect of... Read More

Buying a Home when Rates go Up

Many people fret the rising tide of interest rates. You'll... Read More

Know Your Mortgage Fees, and Youll Never Pay Too Much for Your Loan

If you buy new windows, you'll not only pay for... Read More

Mortgages - Which Loan is Right For You

When buying a home, you need to take a home... Read More

Consolidate Your Debt With a Home Equity Loan and Improve Your Credit Score

A home equity loan is a loan based on the... Read More

Ten Things a Mortgage Processor Must Know to be Effective

From time to time, we hear a story about a... Read More

Mortgage Loans For People With Adverse Credit - How Much Should You Borrow

"How much should you borrow?" is a question people with... Read More

Five Things Never To Tell Your Mortgage Lender When Facing Foreclosure

1. Never discuss your household finances over the phone with... Read More

Be Prepared when Seeking a Mortgage

When you're looking for a mortgage, whether it's a first... Read More

Online Home Equity Loans: A Basic Glossary

Home equity loans can be a great idea for individuals... Read More

Before You Buy

Before you start looking for a home, figure out what... Read More

New York Refinance - Refinancing in New York

If you are looking to refinance in New York, it... Read More

How to Find Cheap Home Improvement Loans

If you have home improvements that you'd like to see... Read More

Home Loans -- The Hot New Product? The 30-year, Fixed-rate Mortgage

In recent years, the mortgage industry has introduced dozens of... Read More

What is a Buy To Let Mortgage?

A buy to let mortgage is a mortgage on a... Read More

Save Money on Your Mortgage

You should say goodbye to PMI. You may not notice... Read More

Bad Credit Refinance Loans - Finding a Good Lender

Finding a good lender to help you with refinancing your... Read More

Mortgage Glossary of Terms

A brief list of some of the most common Mortgage... Read More