Sunday, August 8, 2010

5 Benefits The Reverse Mortgages Offer For Seniors

First, the reverse mortgages for seniors are great products, when you have cleared, whether they will fit to you and to your circumstances. The key fact, when you start to ponder, is the need for which you have planned to take the reverse home mortgages.

1. The Usual Case To Take The Reverse Mortgages For Seniors Is The Need Of An Extra Monthly Cash.

This is also the main benefit, which you can get from the reverse home mortgage. You will get cash but you do not have to pay it back on a monthly basis. The system works in the way, that you use the equity of your home and convert the part of it into cash money.

The payments are tax free to you and you can deduct the interests, when you have paid them, after you have moved away from your home.

2. The Reverse Mortgages For Seniors Offer A Chance To Cash Out A Part Of The Home Equity.

The basic criteria for a qualification is, that you are American and age at least 62 and own your home, where you live permanently. Now you are eligible to apply for the reverse mortgages for seniors.

The needs for extra cash are many. You may want to buy a home for your child, or to use the money for increased medical bills, or you may want to travel etc. The reverse mortgages work in that way, that nobody will ask you, for which purpose you will use the money.

3. You Can Decide How The Lender Will Pay You.

Your need dictates, how the payments will happen. The alternatives are as a lump sum, as monthly payments, as a credit line or as a combination of some of these. What is the best reverse mortgage program is your own decision.

4. All Reverse Mortgages For Seniors Will Be Paid Back, When Your Home Is Sold.

This means, that the reverse mortgages do not have any monthly payments to the lender. All costs, interests and the capital will be paid back when your home is sold. The difference of the selling price and the costs belongs to you.

5. You Will Never Pay Back More Than The Value Of Your Home. When you think the reverse mortgages for seniors, note that there is an obligatory mortgage insurance.It means that if the selling price of your home is lower, than the amount of costs, the difference is paid from the insurance.

Your other assets will never be used to pay your reverse mortgage loan. You will borrow the more, the older you are, the lower is the interest rate and the more valuable is your home. Actually you can decide, whether you take the reverse loan with variable interest or with the fixed one.

Home Loan Mortgage Refinance

is ideal for home owners who are yet to clear their mortgage loans. This is especially advisable when interest rates have subsided. Refinancing simply means that the home owner takes another loan to clear off the existing mortgage loan and is left to deal with the new creditor, who, in most cases offers lower interest rates as well as a longer repayment period, allowing you to pay as little as you can afford.Home owners should however be careful not be lured so easily, otherwise they may remain in a cycle of constant borrowing every time the rates go down. Too many refinance loans may create a bad image about the borrower and he may appear as an opportunist who is out to evade the interest rates that come with the mortgage loans. When sourcing for refinance loans, the borrower should be aware of the different types of loans that exist and how they all operate, and also the terms and conditions imposed by the lender. Many of the loans that are in the market today include but are not limited to adjustable rate home loan, reverse loans, interest-only loan, option ARM loan and the FHA loans. The terms may differ slightly from one type to another. Once you are familiar with the types, you need to get to do your homework on the cost of each. Do not be easily fooled by the lenders who urge you to apply for the credit facilities from them on the basis that they will charge you nothing. The fact that they are advertising their services means that they are in business. Some of the costs you may be required to meet are application costs, administration, processing and loan inspection costs.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Understanding Reverse Mortgages

Seniors today often live with a great deal of financial uncertainty. The retirement they imagined may not be consistent with the reality they face.

Incomes are flat or declining, living and medical expenses are higher than ever and few income boosting alternatives exist.  Even those who have heard about Reverse Mortgages may be unsure about how they work or what questions to ask. As they search for information, they often turn to their financial institution for guidance and information. By becoming familiar with the product, you can be an even more valuable resource to your clients providing them with income supplementing alternatives to drawing down assets.  

 

What is a Reverse Mortgage?

 

A Reverse Mortgage is a special type of loan that allows a homeowner to convert a portion of the equity in their home into cash they can access. The funds are not taxable to the homeowner and typically don’t interfere with eligibility for Social Security or Medicare benefits. (However, in the federal Supplemental Security Income program, beneficiaries must keep their liquid resources under certain limits.) The customer retains title to the home as well as right to any appreciation in home value when the loan terminates after it is paid off. The loan remains in force until the last titleholder dies, permanently leaves the home or sells the property; the borrower can’t be forced to sell or move by the lender. The loan may be repaid at any time. But unlike a traditional home equity loan or second mortgage, no monthly payments are required. Instead of putting further pressure on an already stretched budget, a Reverse Mortgage can free a senior homeowner of monthly debt obligations.

 

Most Reverse Mortgages today are Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) and are FHA-insured and guaranteed. Because HECMs are subject to FHA lending limits, proprietary products have also been developed to help homeowners with properties in excess of the FHA lending limits.  

 

Who qualifies for a Reverse Mortgage?

 

All titleholders must be 62 or older and own a home with some equity. There are no income or credit qualifications. Existing mortgages or liens must be paid off, but are often paid with proceeds from the Reverse. The homeowner must also remain current on insurance and property taxes, but these can also be paid with proceeds from the Reverse.

 

How can a borrower use the money?

 

The funds can be used for any purpose from making ends meet to living retirement dreams.  The top reasons for funds used given typically by borrowers are:

 

 

The amount available depends on the borrower’s age, the value of the home, interest rates and local FHA lending limits. Older borrowers can receive a higher percentage of their equity than younger borrowers. Funds can be received in a lump sum, a monthly payment or a line of credit.

 

What are the costs?

 

As with most any loan product, there are origination fees and closing costs, but they can be paid from the proceeds of the Reverse Mortgage. HECM loans also have a charge for the FHA’s Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP). There are usually no out-of-pocket costs to the borrower.

 

What consumer protections are in place?

 

Reverse Mortgages are non-recourse consumer loans

Information on Reverse Mortgage

Almost everyone, young and old, knows about mortgages. Mortgages are a premier way for homeowners to pay for new houses, and insure safety and increased equity later on in life in case homeowners wish to sell their houses. Yet, most people don’t know about reverse mortgages, not even the people that should. Reverse mortgages are only for U.S seniors who are 62 years or older, and is a very good way for elderly people to be able to move into a new house without having to pay for monthly mortgage rates, and in fact receive money instead of spend money. However, even though reverse mortgages are incredibly beneficial to many senior citizens, there isn’t a lot of s readily available, and usually the only way to find out about these amazing plans is to already know about it, which many people don’t.

Even when willingly seeking out s, the information that is found can be confusing. However, there are many ways to gain clarity on exactly what a reverse mortgage is, if you qualify for a reverse mortgage, what kind of reverse mortgage plans are available, as well as all of the other essential information reverse mortgage applicants need to know before deciding to take the plunge.

To begin with, a Reverse Mortgage is a plan where the lender pays money to the borrower instead of the other way around (as is common with a regular mortgage plan). The lender will pay money to the borrower either in a lump sum, monthly (as long as the borrower remains in the home, and has not passed away), periodic credit lines, or a combination of these types of payments, and this all depends on the reverse mortgage plan. As the lender pays the borrower, debt on the property increases; however, if the borrower decides to sell the house, the borrower needs to move out of the house (either in the care of a family member or retirement home), or the borrower passes away, the debts will be covered by either selling the property, or by the heirs to that property taking over. If the property is sold, and the money gained is more than the debts owed, then the difference is either given to the living borrower or the borrower’s property heirs. If the money from the property is not enough to cover the debts accumulated by the reverse mortgage plan, then the borrower’s insurance will usually pay the difference upon the borrower’s death, or incapacity to live on the property any longer.

The money gained from the lender can be spent and stored virtually any way the borrower pleases. However, if an existing mortgage on the household needs to continue being paid off, then the borrower must pay for that with the reverse mortgage money. Also, if a person buys a house on a very good piece of property that increases in value, and in turn increases in equity, then that person may even be able to take out one or two more reverse mortgages in addition to the one the person already has.

Even with the information above, the specifics of a Reverse Mortgage, such as how much money can be borrowed, what kind of payment plans are available, and if you qualify, are still too numerous to count. However, Fannie Mae, Wells Fargo, and other companies who offer this type of mortgage are required by law to provide reverse mortgage applicants financial counseling services for absolutely free, this allows people who are unsure, or just want to learn more, the ability to gain more s.

So, in order to find out if a reverse mortgage is good for you, as well as what kind of plans are available, and how to calculate your eligibility for reverse mortgage loans, it’s important to utilize the free financial counseling service applicants receive. And, as always, carefully read what each reverse mortgage plan says with a friend, spouse, or trusted accountant, and always make sure to compare services. This will guarantee senior citizens get the most s, and pick t he best personal plan.

For more information please visit our website on Reverse Mortgage.

Reverse Mortgage Pros and Cons

With any situation in life it’s important to weigh the pros and cons, especially in financial situation. If a person does not weigh the pros and cons of a financial situation, then that person may find themselves in debt, or without sufficient funds to live on. So, when understanding this, it is perfectly reasonable to understand why so many qualifying senior citizens are apprehensive about what are called Reverse Mortgages. Reverse mortgages are mortgage loans only available for senior citizens who are 62 years of age or older. Reverse mortgage loans require the lender to pay the borrower (homeowner) instead of the other way around (which is common in regular mortgages).
For senior citizens 62 years or older that qualify for reverse mortgages, it’s easy to immediately notice the pros of the loan. However, since senior citizens have so much more experience under their belts than other younger Americans, it is common that they would want to know more information in order to further weigh the . However, the more a senior citizen weighs the , the more that same citizen will realize there are no cons, and only pros. How is that possible? Well, read more to find out.
First of all, the money that is paid to the homeowner by the lender is un-taxed, and does not need to be paid back. Also, the homeowner can do whatever he or she wants with the money received, and can figure out a payment plan consisting of a One Lump Sum, monthly payment, periodic line of credit, or a combination thereof. The pros of a debate become more evident when the applicant understands that his or her house will never be in danger of being taken away, which is completely contrary to the fear of foreclosure with a regular mortgage loan. Unless the homeowner willingly decides to sell his or her home, then the only way the home can be sold is either upon death, or upon incapacity to live in the home for more than 12 months.
Yet, there must be some kind of disadvantage, right? After all, the reverse mortgage loan is still a loan, and loans need to be paid back somehow. This is true, reverse mortgage loans do need to be paid back, but they are paid back through the proceeds generated by the sale of the house. If the house sells for less money than the loan amount due, then the mortgage insurance will pay it off. If the house sells for more money than the loan amount due, then the existing homeowner or heir(s) will pocket the difference. It’s clear that the debate of is clearly won by the overwhelming amount of pros, and the forfeit of the cons. Also, with un-taxed revenue being receive without having to work, the senior citizen will be able to enjoy life a lot more, and spend time with people he or she loves, as well as be able to spend time doing things he or she was not able to do before when bills were a problem.
For more information please visit our website on Reverse Mortgage

Friday, August 6, 2010

Fannie Mae?s Reverse Mortgage

Many senior citizens may find themselves in a tough decision when considering moving from their current location. When a man, woman, or couple are enjoying their golden years, the last thing they want to do is worry about a monthly mortgage payment. Yet, many retired citizens, even if they are relatively well to-do, are not able to hand out immediate cash to cover the cost of a new house. The fact that mortgage payments are all but obligation for people looking to purchase a new home is very stressful for senior citizens who simply want to be near family, grandchildren, or a dream location, and relax by enjoying carefree days. Yet, mortgages are a fact of life, right? Well, technically yes, but there is a better option available strictly for society’s beloved senior citizens, our grandmas and grandpas, our elders and wise men/women: Fannie’s Mae’s Reverse Mortgage product.
Fannie Mae is the nation’s largest home mortgage investor. However, Fannie Mae also invests heavily in reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgages are payment plans that work oppositely from regular mortgages. For example, instead of the homeowner having to make monthly payments to a lender, the lender is the one who makes the payments directly to the homeowner. Reverse mortgages are available in every U.S state, but only for citizens 62 years or older. And, although there is a federally insured system for reverse mortgages called the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), Fannie Mae has managed to improve the plan by implanting the nationally available “Home Keeper Reverse Mortgage”
Home Keeper is similar to standard reverse mortgage plans in most aspects, but it differs in the fact that Fannie Mae’s plan has more benefits. For example, “Home Keeper Reverse Mortgages” include all of the regular aspects of a reverse mortgage such as the following: homeowners are paid either in lump sum, monthly payments (as long as the borrower occupies the home as his/her principal residence), line of credit, or a combination thereof. If the homeowner becomes deceased, has to move out into another’s care, or decides to sell, then the lender is paid back the reverse mortgage loans by selling the property, and keeping the money. If the property is sold for more than the due loan amount, then the difference is given to the homeowner, or heir(s), if the property sells for less money than the due loan then insurance usually covers the difference.
The added benefits with Fannie Mae’s “Home Keeper” reverse mortgage plan is the ability for people to purchase a new home in one single transaction, but without the out-of-pocket cash. This gets rid of any new monthly mortgage payments that must be paid in part by the reverse mortgage loans, and aids in senior citizens keeping more of the sales proceeds from their old house, or even a heftier amount of savings that can be used for other purposes.
So, if a senior citizen sells his or her home, and makes a profit, then that person can use the profit made by his or her sell to partly fund a new housing purchase. However, instead of having to either pay for the remaining costs of the new house with out-of-pocket money, and in order to avoid taking out a mortgage, then the senior citizen can actually pay for the rest of his or her new house up-front with the Home Keeper reverse mortgage. Fannie Mae’s Reverse Mortgage product affords senior citizens amazing benefits by providing all of the conveniences of a reverse mortgage and more. Now you can relax and enjoy life to the fullest without having to worry about those pesky mortgage payments, or how you are going to pay up-front for a new house out of a savings account. After all, you need to have plenty left for spoiling the grandkids when they come to visit your beautiful new house.
For more information please visit our website on Reverse Mortgage

Reverse Mortgage Calculator

Reverse mortgages, which are mortgages designed specifically for citizens who are 62 years or older, can be rather confusing to many people. Although the surface aspects of reverse mortgage loans are easy to understand, it is still difficult to determine how much money a person is eligible to receive. Also, many people would much rather have a basic idea of what they are going to be able to get from a particular reverse mortgage lender beforehand than to have to suffer through all of the sales pitches that will no doubt be thrown during an innocent inquiry

First of all, it’s important to know the basics of what a reverse mortgage is. Reverse mortgage loans differ from regular mortgage loans in two primary ways, the first of which is the fact that reverse mortgage loans are only available to citizens 62 years or older, and second of which is that the lender of a reverse mortgage loan pays the borrower, instead of the other way around (as is common with a regular mortgage loan). This means that people who have a reverse mortgage loan are actually paid in a one lump sum, monthly increments (assuming the borrower remains in the household as a principle location), periodic credit lines, or a combination thereof. The borrower is able to do what ever he or she wishes to do with the money. If and when the borrower becomes deceased, must move somewhere else for care by family or retirement home, or decides to sell, then the lender retains all the money made from the property’s selling amount as return for the reverse mortgage loan. If a person’s property sells for more than the loan amount due, then the borrower or heir(s) receives the difference, if the property sells for less than the loan amount due then insurance will cover the different.

For many people, it is hard to determine ahead of time how much money they are eligible to be loaned from a reverse mortgage lender. Luckily, there are s located online, and on many different sites. s are a fast and convenient way for citizens interested in applying for a reverse mortgage to roughly determine how much money they can receive. For example, AARP’s website has a , all that a person must do is enter in when he or she was born, when the person’s spouse or other coworker was born (if available), a rough estimate of how much the person’s house is worth, and the person’s zip code. Walla! Four simple questions and you have a better idea of what kind of amazing benefits you can receive from a reverse mortgage. s are usually incredibly accurate, and take barely any time to operate.

For more information please visit our website on Reverse Mortgage