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Is it Difficult to be Approved for a Reverse Mortgage?

No Credit or Income Requirements

An advantage of a reverse mortgage is that it is easier to be approved for the loan as debt-to-income ratios are not used. The borrower qualifies for it using their residual income after all ongoing debts are deducted from their gross income.

A credit report will be completed to verify that payments on existing mortgages property taxes and Homeowners insurance have been paid on a timely basis in the previous two years, but if late payments have occurred, that will not disqualify the potential applicant from being approved for the reverse loan.

This makes a reverse mortgage an attractive option for retirees who may have limited income or a less-than-perfect credit history. It allows them to access the equity in their homes and use it to improve their financial situation. Whether you want to pay off existing debts, invest in home improvements, or simply supplement your retirement income, a reverse mortgage can provide the necessary funds without the usual qualification hurdles.

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Non-Recourse Loan

One key aspect of a reverse mortgage is that it is a non-recourse loan. This means that you or your heirs will never owe more than the value of your home, even if the loan balance exceeds the home’s worth. If the loan balance exceeds the home’s value when it is sold, the remaining debt is absorbed by the mortgage insurance. This protects you and your heirs from being held liable for any shortfall.

The non-recourse feature of a reverse mortgage provides a valuable safety net, ensuring that you can use the funds without the fear of burdening your loved ones with debt. You can enjoy the benefits of a reverse mortgage while preserving your home as an inheritance for your family.

What are some of the reasons funds from a reverse loan are used?  The answer is in my next post.

 

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Social Security Increase for Seniors

The increase in Social Security benefits for seniors is the largest in four decades and on the average will increase monthly checks by about 5.9%

However, it won’t offset inflation or the cost of living, plus it will be taxed as income.

Initially some seniors might be excited to see their checks increase, but all in all, it will be “zeroed” out as the costs of goods, food, utilities, and medical care continue to increase.

It is a bit depressing, but there are many seniors who own and live in their homes, and they are now more than any other time in the past, using funds from a reverse loan to pay their ongoing expenses, and eliminate making a mortgage payment.

Eliminating a mortgage payment, increases their cash flow each month, and may slow down withdrawing funds from savings and investments and leverage the longevity of their cash reserves, plus possibly avoid paying tax penalties for the withdrawal of funds from their accounts.

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Reverse loans are highly regulated, safe, and a sensible way for seniors to age in their homes and have some peace of mind.  They can afford to continue to do so without possibly running out of their investments or savings, and they can refinance them in the future for additional funds without any prepayment penalties.

Considering a reverse loan for financial stability should always be considered and part of a retirement plan, and it is a wonderful option to have for older Americans who wish to remain in their homes.

 

 

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The Pandemic

The last 18 months of life for everyone has been very hard and uncertain due to the Covid-19 pandemic.   It was particularly frightening for seniors because they were more likely to become ill with it and possibly die.

No one was left untouched by it, either by death or the loss of employment and most certainly the loss of structure and a feeling of safety.

I received many calls from seniors during this time, very afraid about running out of money and trying to take care of themselves, and at the same time, cut off from their families and feeling isolated.

Some had entered into forbearance agreements on their mortgages and the payments for them were paused, but they were now being notified by their Lender to resume them, and many did not have the income to start making payments again.

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I received many calls for help, and I was able to provide everyone a reverse loan and at the least, make them feel a bit safer and and less anxious about what was going to happen to them.

It was challenging when we couldn’t meet personally, but I made it work for each client and we got through it together.

I am grateful that it seems we are moving forward with more confidence and less fear, and I am also grateful that I was able to help many seniors last year by providing them with more money and peace of mind and we survived the pandemic together.

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Reverse Mortgage Application

What are the steps to apply for a reverse loan?  Is it the same as applying for a traditional mortgage or is it different?

It is just like applying for a regular loan, except the borrower won’t have to make any mortgage payments but they will still be responsible for maintaining their home, paying the property taxes, and Homeowners insurance.

The loan application is standard, but there are many lender, state, and federal disclosures to sign in the  application package.   It does require quite a few signatures and a complete copy of it is left with the applicants to save and review.

Along with the signed application, copies of bank statements, Social Security card, Drivers License, Declaration page for Homeowners insurance, Trust  ( if there is one), and any mortgage statements for the property, plus a signed HUD Counseling Certificate.

The file and documents are sent to a loan processor, Escrow is opened and a Title Policy is ordered, along with an order for an appraisal to be scheduled.

When the loan processor has all the necessary items to make the file complete, it is sent to a Lender for Underwriting.

They review it and make sure it is complete prior to giving it an approval.   Sometimes they may request a few additional items,  but nothing that is unusual.

The next step is to order the loan documents and coordinate with Escrow, assign a Notary to meet with the clients and have them sign the documents.

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The documents are returned to the Closing Department of the Lender, they review them for all signatures, communicate with Escrow to finalize closing figures and after the 3-day Right of Recession, the loan funds and closes.

The entire process takes approximately 45 days as long as the borrower has provided all of the necessary documents that are needed for the file.

Appraisals can cause a delay, or issues with the Title of the property, and sometimes the lack of cooperation from the borrower will cause the loan to take longer to complete.

Applying for a reverse loan is generally not difficult and can be completed in a reasonable amount of time.

 

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Buying a Home

Mortgage interest rates are so low, the lowest they have ever been having caused Americans to rush into the very competitive Real Estate market and buy homes to take advantage of the interest rates as quickly as they can locate a property to purchase.

If you are a senior, you may be considering selling a large home that has become a burden in maintenance for you or no longer suits your lifestyle, and have started to look at Listings of homes in your area before you decide if you want to stay where you are or sell your home and move.

If you decide that you are ready to make a change and maybe you are considering moving into a 55+ community,  a new Tract development, or a previously owned home, you can apply for a reverse loan rather than traditional financing.

A reverse loan is easier to qualify for, you will not have to be concerned about being approved using Debt to Income ratios or FICO scores.   The Title will be in your name, you will be its owner, not the Lender.

And the best news?   You will not have any mortgage payments.

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Becoming approved for a reverse loan is much less difficult.   Generally, when a reverse loan is used to purchase a new home, the buyer will put down approximately 50% of the sales price.   Obviously the funds would come from the sale of their current home.

Find out early in your “search” how much you could be pre-approved for and receive a letter from a reverse loan lender ( me), that will help you to leverage your offer and “seal the deal”.

Contact me and we can chat about it and I will provide you with information to help you work with a Realtor and answer your questions on how to get started.

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