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Loading...Everything You Need to Know About Reverse Mortgages
Note: This is a guest post from Barbara Stucki, Vice President, Home Equity, National Council on Aging.
Most Americans have realized that today’s retirement isn’t what their parents or grandparents had.
Thanks to the Great Recession, millions of older adults are entering retirement with fewer savings, no pensions and skyrocketing health care costs. Others are being forced into retirement before they’re ready thanks to job loss and layoffs. The bottom line is that people are living longer in retirement with less income. According to the Institute on Assets & Social Policy, the number of seniors at risk of outliving their resources has increased by nearly 2 million in just four years. With limited financial options, many older adults are turning to that tried-and-true American asset — their home.
A recent study by MetLife and the National Council on Aging found that 35% of households aged 62 and older have a home loan, many of them reverse mortgages. But is it a good idea to use your home as a source of cash in your retirement? Without a financial game plan to manage this asset, older homeowners may be putting their finances at further risk. Also known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs), reverse mortgages can be a useful financial tool, but they’re not for everyone. Before considering one of these loans, it pays to know the myths and facts.
Myth #1: A reverse mortgage works the same as any other type of home loan.
Truth: A reverse mortgage is a special type of loan for homeowners aged 62 and older that lets you convert a portion of the equity in your home into cash. But unlike a traditional home equity loan or second mortgage, you don’t have to repay the loan until you either no longer live in the home as your principal residence or you fail to meet the obligations of the mortgage. Taking out a reverse mortgage is a big decision, since you may not be able to get out of this loan without selling your home to pay off the debt. You also need to carefully consider your options to avoid using up all the equity you have built up in your house. Learn more about reverse mortgages with NCOA’s free consumer guide.
Read more: department of housing and urban development, Home Equity Conversion Mortgages, housing, Mortgages, national council on aging, reverse mortgages
Photo courtesy of the National Council on Aging.
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
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+ add your ownI have found this site - it is very useful in your research to learn more about the program - the best part about this company is that they actually compare multiple lenders - saved me a lot of time and money
visit site by search for reverse mortgage lenders direct
Thank you Colleen, for Sharing this!
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thanks
Is this another scam on the elderly?
This is horribly disgusting, if it is.
ty
I always wondered what a reverse mortgage was. Thanks, not interested
She didn't mention it to me and I was shocked to learn that a good friend with a great property took out a reverse mortgage. But when asked who her financial adviser is she proudly said "I am". Too late now. How sad.
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