SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR YOUR PARENTS' WELL-BEING.
Should My Mom and Dad Get a Reverse Mortgage Loan?
You are referred to as the “Sandwich Generation.” You’ve got kids in or heading for college as well as retired parents. Wherever you look, all you can see is additional expenses.
In the rough economy of the past few years--with home values and retirement savings down, government benefit programs threatened and people living longer--many children of seniors are concerned about their parents being able to finance the remainder of their lives, even if they have been diligent about retirement planning.
The vast majority of America’s seniors have their wealth in their home equity. And if your parents are struggling to meet their month-to-month expenses or paying for health expenses, tapping into that equity may be the best solution. A reverse mortgages is a financial product that allows them to do just that.
Whether or not a reverse mortgage is the right financial option for your parents is a very personal decision and based on many factors. In most cases, your parents will discuss this option with you before making their decision. You want to be prepared to give them the best advice. Here are some questions you most likely will want answered:
What is a reverse mortgage?
A reverse mortgage is a loan available to homeowners 62 years of age that enables them to convert part of the equity in their home into cash.
The loan is called a reverse mortgage because the traditional mortgage payback stream is reversed. Instead of making monthly payments to a lender, after any existing liens on the property are satisfied, the lender makes payments to the borrower.
What do people use reverse mortgages for?
Reverse mortgages were conceived as a means to help people in or near retirement who have limited income use the money they have put into their home to cover basic monthly living expenses or pay for health care or other expenses. There is no restriction on how a borrower may use their reverse mortgage proceeds.
Will a reverse mortgage increase my parents’ monthly expenses?
No. Borrowers are not required to pay back the loan until the home is sold or otherwise vacated. As long as they live in the home, they are not required to make any monthly mortgage payments towards the loan balance, they must remain current on tax and insurance payments, maintain the property, and otherwise comply with the loan terms. Failure to meet these terms may cause the loan to become due and payable.
If my parents take a reverse mortgage, does the bank then own their home?
No. With a reverse mortgage, the borrower retains title to or ownership of the home. Borrowers cannot lose their home under normal circumstances, but please understand foreclosure may occur if you do not pay your taxes and insurance, maintain the home, and otherwise comply with the loan terms.”
How much money can my parents expect?
The amount of funds they are eligible for depends on the age of the youngest parent, the value of the home, the interest rate and upfront costs. The older a person is, the more proceeds he or she can generally receive.
Funds can be delivered as a lump sum, as a line of credit or as fixed monthly payments, either for a specified period of time or for as long as your parents live in the home. They can also use more than one of these options, for example, take part of the proceeds as a lump sum and leave the balance in a line of credit.
How much will the loan cost my parents?
Loan fees can be paid out of the loan proceeds. This means a borrower incurs very little out-of-pocket expense to get a reverse mortgage. The only out-of-pocket expenses are the appraisal and possibly for an independent counseling from a
HUD approved agency
When the loan is eventually paid off, the balance equals the amount borrowed, plus interest and mortgage insurance. The loan balance grows as the borrower continues to live in the home. In other words, when the borrower sells or leaves the house, he or she will owe more than originally borrowed. Look at it this way: A traditional mortgage is a balloon full of air that loses some air and gets smaller each time a payment is made.. A reverse mortgage is an empty balloon that grows larger as time passes.
If when my parents move or die and the balance is more than the value of the home, am I then responsible?
No matter how large the loan balance, your parents (or their heirs) will never have to pay more than the appraised value of the home or the sale price. This feature is referred to as non-recourse. If the loan balance exceeds the appraised value of the home, then the federal government absorbs that loss. The government pays for it with proceeds from its insurance fund, which the borrower pays into on a monthly basis.
If my parents get a reverse mortgage, what are their responsibilities?
Primary Lien: A reverse mortgage must be the primary lien on a home. Any prior mortgage must be paid in full to acquire the reverse mortgage. (Reverse mortgage proceeds can be used for this purpose,)
Occupancy Requirements: The property used as collateral for the reverse mortgage must be your parents' primary residence.
Taxes and Insurance: Your parents are required to remain current on their real estate taxes, home insurance, and, if applicable, condo fees or they are susceptible to default.
Property Condition: Your parents are responsible for completing mandatory repairs and maintaining the condition of their property.
Rights of Non-Borrower Residents at Time of Loan Termination: If there is a non-borrower resident (living in the home but not on title), it’s important that you understand what happens when the owner on title permanently vacates the property, either by death or move out, and the loan becomes due and payable. Either arrangement needs to be made ahead of time to pay back the loan when it becomes due, or the property will have to be vacated. The non-borrowing spouse is still responsible for taxes, insurance, maintenance costs and complying with the loan terms. Failure to do so can result in foreclosure.
But my parents want to downsize. How can a reverse mortgage help them?
While the typical retiree uses a reverse mortgage pay for healthcare and/or cover daily living expenses, a growing segment of the senior population is using it to purchase a home that better suits their needs.
The advantage of using what is known as a HECM for Purchase is that the new home is purchased outright, using funds from the sale of the old home, private savings, gift money and other sources of income, which are then combined with the reverse mortgage proceeds. This home buying process leaves the homeowner with no monthly mortgage payments but are still responsible for taxes, insurance, maintenance costs, and otherwise complying with the loan terms.
How much money can my parents get?
The amount of proceeds you receive is based on the appraised current value of your home, your parent(s) age(s) and current interest rates.