- How Do Reverse Mortgages Work
- Types of Reverse Mortgage Loans
- How Much Money Can You Borrow
- What Can You Do with the Money
- Long Term Care & Reverse Mortgages
- Purchase a Home with a Reverse Mortgage
- Myths About Reverse Mortgages
- Pros and Cons of Reverse Mortgages
- Social Security & Medicare Benefits
- The Reverse Mortgage Loan Proces
What Can You Do with the Money
The proceeds from a reverse mortgage can be used for anything:
Daily living expenses; home repairs and home improvements; medical bills and prescription drugs; pay-off of existing debts; education; travel; long-term health care; retirement and estate tax planning; and other needs you may have.
The proceeds from a reverse mortgage are available as a lump sum, fixed monthly payments for as long as you live in the property, a line of credit; or a combination of these options
The amount of benefit that you will qualify for, will depend on your age at the time you apply for the loan, the type of reverse mortgage you choose, the value of your home, current interest rates, and for some products, where you live. As a general rule, the older you are and the greater your equity, the larger the reverse mortgage benefit will be.
The costs associated with getting a reverse mortgage are similar to those with a conventional mortgage, such as the origination fee, appraisal and inspection fees, title policy, mortgage insurance and other normal closing costs. With a reverse mortgage, all of these costs can be financed as part of the mortgage.
You must first meet with an independent reverse mortgage counselor before applying for a reverse mortgage. The counselor’s job is to educate you about reverse mortgages, to inform you about other alternative options available to you given your situation, and to assist you in determining which particular reverse mortgage product would best fit your needs if you elect to get a reverse mortgage. This counseling session is at no cost to the borrower and can be done in person or over the telephone.