For most people there are mortgages, for everyone else there are reverse mortgages. What is a reverse mortgage? First of all, only the most privileged American citizens are able to even qualify for a reverse mortgage loan, and these people are senior citizens that are 62 years of age or older. That’s right, only our beloved grandmothers and grandfathers who are living out their golden years can qualify for a reverse mortgage, which is a mortgage that means the lenders will pay the borrowers, instead of the borrowers paying the lenders. So, if you’re not yet a senior citizen, keep reverse mortgages in mind, but if you are a senior citizen who is looking for more time to spoil the grandchildren, receive extra un-taxed income, or move into a new house without having to take out regular monthly mortgage payments, then keep reading.
Countrywide, a company founded in 1969 and committed to breaking down the barriers of owning a home, is America’s #1 Home Loan Lender, and has already helped millions of families. Now Countrywide Bank, FSB, and Countrywide Home Loans have come together to provide senior citizens who are 62 years of age and older the best reverse mortgage plans available in America.
are loans that pay homeowners in One Lump Sums, monthly payments, periodic credit lines, or a combination thereof. The homeowners, on the other hand, don’t have to pay anything for a Countrywide Reverse Mortgage Loan, in fact, the homeowner can do whatever he or she wants with the money received from the Countrywide lender. are available for people who already have a home and are looking to refinance, or for people looking to move into a new home near family. Either way, the homeowner will no longer have to pay monthly mortgage rates, and will receive money instead.
The Countrywide lender is paid back the loan through the proceeds of the homeowner’s house when it sells. However, the homeowner is in no danger of losing his or her house. The only way the house can be sold is if the homeowner becomes deceased, is gone for more than 12 months, must permanently enter into the care of someone else at another location, or decides to sell the home. When the home sells, then anything above the loan amount due is paid back to the existing homeowner or heir(s). In contrast, if the home sells for less than the loan amount due, then the insurance will typically cover the difference.
allow senior citizens 62 years or older to be able to relax and enjoy friends and family. It also allows for senior citizens to receive extra income for exotic travel destinations, hobbies, for giving gifts to family, or for simply saving up so that family has something after the senior citizen has passed.
For more information please visit our website on Reverse Mortgage
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Countrywide Reverse Mortgage Loans
Hecm Reverse Mortgage
Almost everyone knows what a mortgage loan is, and a good number of those people are familiar with most of the mortgage plans available. It’s a simple concept that aids millions of Americans in financing new houses by taking out a loan and paying it back in increments. However, there aren’t many people that have heard about reverse mortgage loans, this is because reverse mortgage loans aren’t for just anybody, they’re for people experiencing their golden years and who are 62 years of age or older. Yet, with any kind of mortgage, even a reverse mortgage, people need to be careful as to what service they go to. Services that offer mortgages, especially reverse mortgages, need to be reputable, they need to have been in business for a long time and have a good track record, and perhaps most importantly the lenders employed by the company must be honest, forthright, and concerned about their clients’ welfare.
(HECM) is one such reputable product, which is linked by a reputable company. HECM is the oldest and most popular reverse mortgage product, and it makes up for 90 percent of the total market, now that’s a good reputation! HECM has been available since 1989 and is insured by the federal government itself through an equally as reputable system called the Federal Housing Administration (FHS), which is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Now, that is a lot of long names, and a lot of acronyms to follow, but the only thing you as a senior citizen need to remember is HECM.
With a the older you are, the more money you are eligible to receive with your reverse mortgage loan. This reverse mortgage is a mortgage where the lender pays the borrower (homeowner) instead of the other way around. Lenders pay the homeowner in One Lump Sums, monthly payments, periodic credit lines, or a combination thereof. There is no risk of losing the house in a foreclosure like there is with a regular mortgage, and the money received can be used according the recipient’s own discretion. The way a HECM loan is paid back is through the sell of the home. The home is automatically sold if the homeowner becomes deceased (unless the heir(s) wish differently) if the homeowner is absent for more than 12 months or has to move somewhere else in order to receive care with a family member or in a nursing home, or if the homeowner decides to sell. If the house sells for higher than the loan amount due then the existing homeowner or heir(s) receives the difference. In contrast, if the house sells lower than the loan amount due, then the insurance company typically pays the difference.
HECM is perfect for senior citizens who don’t want to worry about pesky monthly mortgage fees, and want to receive money instead. Also, if you’re still confused, applicants of a HECM are required by law to attend a financial counselor with no cost to the applicant; the counseling service will provide more information into HECM and the service is paid for by the Federal Government.
For more information please visit our website on Reverse Mortgage
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Reverse Mortgage Tax-Deductible?
One of the newest and more innovative financial tools for the Senior Citizen, today, is the reverse home mortgage. Already very popular, as the info on the reverse home mortgage becomes widespread, and homeowners reach retirement age in large numbers, this may become the most popular home mortgage vehicle of all. The reverse home mortgage solves a major financial problem for Seniors, how access the equity-savings they have built up on their homes without having to sell. Let me explain what is reverse mortgage?
A reversed mortgage is designed specifically for homeowners who are age 62 and older. Through this product, you can receive loan money from your home in the form of a lump sum, regular monthly checks or a line of credit. The money is typically repaid with interest when you sell your house, permanently move away, or pass away.
Reverse mortgage loan advances are not taxable, and generally don’t affect your Social Security or Medicare benefits. You retain the title to your home, and you don’t have to make monthly repayments. The loan must be repaid when the last surviving borrower dies, sells the home, or no longer lives in the home as a principal residence. Unlike a regular mortgage, the homeowner makes no payments and all interest is added to the lien on the property.
When it comes to the issue of tax deductibility, things get a little hairy. Unlike a conventional mortgage, the accrued interest associated with a reverse mortgage is not tax-deductible in the usual fashion; it is deductible at the time the reverse is paid off.
A reverse mortgage is a type of loan in which is allowed up to a certain percentage of the full equity in a home; also called reverse annuity mortgage or home equity conversion mortgage (HECM). Reverse mortgages are often used by for retired or elderly persons. Actually all lenders reverse programs that I have seen had a requirement like that you had to be at least 62 years old. The title of your home remains in your name and the home can be left to your heirs, this is always true. Obviously the lender will build up their equity in your home as you use yours. The reverse mortgage comes to an end when the borrowers have all passed away or the home is sold, or you move out permanently. Depending on the type of that you chose, a certain percentage of the home’s value can be reverse mortgaged. Fortunately the target audience is often no longer full time employed anyway; lenders will not have any income or credit score requirements to qualify for a reverse mortgage. Both the upfront expense of a reverse mortgage (loan origination fee) and the interest accrued over the life of the reverse mortgage are added to your reverse mortgage balance. So you don’t actually pay these items. The IRS states that these expenses since they are not actually paid cannot be deducted until the reverse mortgage matures. This is the case when you sell your home or used up all equity.
Reverse mortgages have helped hundreds of thousands of homeowners improve their quality of life in retirement. A Reverse Mortgage can help you retire more comfortably. It can provide you with money when you need it most. No Monthly Mortgage Payments, Easy Qualification, Tax-Free Money and No cash needed for closing costs. Can it get any better? If you’d like to find out how much money you qualify for and if you’re eligible, give us a call at (800)630-0650.
Tim JacobsGolden Years Mortgage SolutionsYour Money
Reverse Mortgage Lender
Reverse mortgage loans are only available for citizens who are 62 years or older. These loans differ from regular mortgage loans in that the homeowner does not pay monthly fees, but instead is paid by the lender. The lender pays in a lump sum, monthly, by periodic credit line, or a combination thereof directly to the homeowner, or “borrower”. Citizens who obtain a reverse mortgage are not in risk of loosing their house, and are able to do whatever they please with the money being received from the lender. The lender’s security is based upon the homeowner’s house itself. If the homeowner becomes deceased, is absent from the house for more than 6 to 12 months (or in the care of someone else such as family or a nurses at a retirement home at another location), or if the homeowner decides to sell his or her house, then the lender retains the proceeds of the housing sale. The proceeds from the housing sale are usually effective in paying off the reverse mortgage loans made to the previous homeowner. If the house sells for more money than the loan amount due, then the current borrower or heir(s) receives the difference. In cases where the house sells for less money than the loan amount due, then the insurance company usually pays the difference.
A will come in all types, and it can be difficult to not only make the decision to choose a reverse mortgage, but to also gain information and find an honest and decent . The way to tell if a is reliable is by finding ones who are connected with some kind of national organization such as Fannie Mae, Wells Fargo, FHA, and Financial Freedom Plan. In addition to being a part of a nationally reputable organization, it’s important to know the track record of a . Often times a ’s record profile can be found on the company he or she works for, and there are also many sites that allow people who were previous clients of s to give their feedback on that particular lender’s abilities.
Senior citizens should always heavily scrutinize a , and not be afraid to compare lenders until he or she finds the right one. A good will be a person that helps in determining the right plans for you as a person. The lender should be courteous, respectful, and patient. In addition, the lender should always answer questions directly, as well as not ignore a single question. Another attribute that is a mark of a good is one who takes time out of his or her personal lives in order to check up on you, see how you’re doing, check if you’re in good health, and make sure that you understand everything clearly.
For more information please visit our website on Reverse Mortgage
How Do You Know If You?re Eligible For A Reverse Mortgage?
How do you know if you’re eligible for a reverse mortgage? Well let’s start out first with what a reverse mortgage is. A reverse mortgage is a loan that allows older homeowners to access the equity in their homes. Instead of making monthly mortgage payments to reduce your debt, you eliminate your monthly payments and actually get money! Reverse mortgages are an option for people who want to turn substantial home equity into cash.
Just like a traditional mortgage, a Reverse Mortgage comes with fees, terms and qualifications for eligibility. You have to be age 62 or older, have a single-family home or other approved property and own the property. You also must live in the home as your primary residence, make the reverse mortgage your first mortgage or you can pay off existing loans with proceeds from your reverse mortgage.
You must also continue to qualify after the loan is made. You should check your reverse mortgage agreement for details, yet generally you have to continuously use the home as your primary residence and keep current on the taxes, insurance, maintenance, etc.
After knowing that you are eligible for a Reverse Mortgage, you’ll want to know how much it will cost you. Like all loans, reverse mortgages have costs. Reverse mortgage interest is the interest you pay on the borrowed money and there may be other costs as well. Most costs can be bundled with the loan so you do not pay out of pocket.
You may be wondering how it works? It’s actually simple, reverse mortgages pay you in a variety of ways. You can receive a lump-sum, periodic payments, a line of credit, or some type of combination. Lump Sum is the easiest. You get the loan balance all at once. Do with it what you will, yet there may not be more for you tomorrow. If you sign up for a periodic payment plan, you’ll get regular payments. These payments might last for a number of years (10 years, for example), or until your loan comes due (often as a result of your death or your moving out of the home). If you don’t know exactly how much you’ll spend or how soon you’ll need it, the line of credit option may make sense.
Some reverse mortgage lines of credit are
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Reverse Mortgage Income After Retirement
As you approach retirement age you may want to think about getting a reverse mortgage loan to supplement your retirement income. After going through a long and tiring life filled with hard work, you may look forward to retiring with a stable and steady stream of income and being able to live off it comfortably. For many Americans, this means income derived from retirement plans, Social Security and any investments they may have made during their working lives.
One of the other most popular and widespread ways of supplementing retirement income is to take out a reverse mortgage on your property. There are many banks and reverse mortgage lenders in the market today that provide reverse mortgages, and the market has become very competitive which makes the programs more beneficial for the customer.
We know we should begin planning for retirement early. To ensure you survive retirement comfortably it is best to plan as early as possible. For many, the best way to enhance your retirement plan is through a Reverse Mortgage. A reverse mortgage is quite simply a way to access the equity in your home to provide you tax free income with no monthly payments. Most importantly senior home owners age 62 or above are federally eligible to apply and qualify for reverse mortgage loans after going through a mandatory counseling process.
There are several options for receiving payout from a reverse mortgage. You can receive fixed, monthly payments for a period of time; get a lump-sum payment; open a line of credit that you can draw against; or you can receive some combination of these options. You don’t have to stick with a payment option forever. You may be able to change your payment option in the future. The money doesn’t have to be paid back to the lender during the lifetime of the borrower. The principal and interest become payable only when the home owner passes away or moves out of the reverse mortgaged property.
The additional or extra line of income derived from a reverse mortgage can help put seniors at financial ease and enable them to gain confidence about their social position and spending ability in retirement. The money can be used any way they see fit – be it for travel, vacation, medical expenses, education expenses of grand children, home remodeling, anything!
The additional level of available money from a reverse mortgage offers senior home-owners peace of mind and stability so they can live their pre-retirement lifestyles without any fear of cash deficiency.
Reverse mortgage income is not taxable either; for the government considers it inappropriate to tax you on property you already own .Taken in perspective, reverse mortgages are good as an additional line of income for the senior home-owners looking to improve upon their lifestyles with a more money in their pockets. The homeowner doesn’t pay a mortgage; instead he receives payment from the lender in exchange for a stake in the value of the home. Check how much you can get from your Reverse Mortgage? We’ve helped thousand of senior homeowners solve their financial questions, it’s time we help you.For FREE reverse mortgage counseling, Give us a call. We will be more than happy to answer any questions that you may have. Or if you’d like to find out how money you qualify for and if you’re eligible, feel free to give us a call at (800)630-0650.Tim JacobsGolden Years Mortgage SolutionsYour Money
Whats Wrong With Reverse Mortgages
Red flags are warning signs. If you see the warning sign then you won’t fall off the cliff, hit the pothole, or go where no one should go. Take a look at the red flags listed here and don’t see these as negative aspects of reverse mortgage but just reminders of the fact that when big money is involved, there are a few people out there who might get a little greedy now and then. Surprising, yes but it’s true. Reverse mortgages can be wonderful tools for seniors trying to make ends meet by putting their home equity to work. And, like anything else, you’ve got to know where those potholes and cliffs are to get to where you want to be. Here are some reverse mortgage red flags to keep an eye out for.
Red Flag #1. Complicated paperwork may have unforeseen consequences. If you don’t understand the document, you won’t understand the consequences. Take the time to get proper guidance, second opinions, and a review of appropriate alternatives.
Red Flag #2. High cost of a reverse mortgage may outweigh the benefits of alternatives. As in any loan, there are going to be associated fees and costs. These should be clearly spelled out up front. Consult your lawyer, accountant, or other trusted adviser to review any loan application before making a major financial commitment like a reverse mortgage.
Red Flag #3. Uncertain benefits. The strange thing about reverse mortgages is that you cannot calculate the true cost of this loan because it depends on how long you are going to live. But, if you want to pass anything to your heirs, it’s worth considering the alternatives. There is no way to predict the home appreciation and future interest rates so consider the reverse mortgage carefully. Yes, payments come to you tax free but the debt on that asset is going up. This may be fine as long as you live and as long as you live there. Again, just know your options.
Red Flag #4. Tight-lipped lenders. Lenders who don’t fully disclose fees and terms are a big problem. As we’ve just seen in the sub-prime lending mess, many consumers didn’t understand what they were getting into. Some sleaze-ball lenders have gone so far as to work themselves into the deal to gain a large percentage of the property’s appreciation. Ask your lender if they are attempting to gain any percentage of the appreciation as part of their profit.
Red Flag #5. Forcing borrowers to buy additional financial products such as variable annuities. In this case, consumers can lose their principle and the earning potential of that money. Sometimes it’s alright to combine financial products but if you do, please double check the terms with someone who understands both types of products.
Red Flag #6. Numerous front end and back-end fees can be exorbitant. Artificially inflated fees raise the cost to the borrower and deflate consumer benefits fast. Oh yes, the definition of exorbitant can be debated all day long but that is exactly why you need to take the time to educate yourself, get several reverse mortgage proposals, and obtain advice from a trusted expert like your accountant, lawyer or financial adviser.
Red Flag #7. Reverse mortgage counselors imply that they are there to protect the interest of the seniors applying for the loan. This may be legitimate but if they present themselves as a counselor yet, have an affiliation with the lender; there is an inherent conflict of interest. Unfortunately the government still allows this practice. Your tax advisor doesn’t work for the IRS does he? Well then your reverse mortgage counselor should not work for the lender he is trying to protect you from.
Red Flag #8. Borrowers should not pay a referral fee for an agent just for the privilege of introducing you to a lender. That fee has been as much as 10% of the loan amount in some cases. Don’t pay referral fees or finder’s fees for reverse mortgages just find a new agent or broker.
Red Flag #9. You don’t know your lender. Laws and recourse vary from state to state. It’s a good idea to know your lender. Get referrals from family and friends and ask for references from the agent you are talking with.
Red Flag #10. HUD might be a DUD. You cannot assume that because Uncle Sam is guaranteeing some aspect of a reverse mortgage that it is safe or good for your situation. HUD does provide some helpful and free info on its website but it is very limited. If the sales rep says this loan is safe because it’s backed by the U.S. Government, don’t be overly impressed.
Red Flag #11. Information is withheld. When Total Annual Loan Costs (TALC) rates are not disclosed, be careful. When information is withheld and real costs and fees are not fully explained up front, there’s trouble on the horizon.
Red Flag #12. If a borrower’s ability to make a major decision is in anyway questionable, everyone including the agent, the lender, and family members should slow down and get additional professional assistance. If you are dealing with agents and lenders with any degree of integrity they will certainly offer any senior who doesn’t understand the consequences of the reverse mortgage, the resources and time to get more assistance. Families should work together to keep tabs on senior family member’s financial needs and lend a helping hand and a second set of eyeballs to major financial decisions such as reverse mortgages.
Red Flag #13. Alternatives to reverse mortgages are not known. There are several safe and secure alternatives that should be considered.
The bottom line to reverse mortgages is this. There are reverse mortgage alternatives beyond lines of credit or selling your home. Get the facts, recognize the red flags and take the time to do your homework.
Elder abuse is an ongoing concern when it comes to reverse mortgages or other financial products. The best way to fight this problem is to punish lenders who have no ethics and to teach seniors and their family members the facts and the alternatives. Families need to keep closer tabs on senior members and do the homework when it comes to reverse mortgages.