Reverse mortgages allow older people to access the equity they have built up in their homes. Repayment of the equity is deferred until the person sells the home or passes away.
How a reverse mortgage works
A reverse mortgage is a form of loan that allows you to turn some of your home’s equity (the value of your home minus the amount you still owe on your mortgage) into cash. While a reverse mortgage can be a good source of cheap credit, it is important to remember that at the end of the day, it’s a loan like any other. That means you’ll pay interest on the loan and it does, eventually need to be repaid.
The interest rate can be either fixed (stays the same over time) or variable (it’s subject to change at the lender’s discretion). Borrowers often view reverse mortgages as preferable to other forms of credit as their interest rates tend to be on the low side, although this isn’t always the case.
Unlike a home equity line of credit, a reverse mortgage does not need to be repaid until the borrower moves, is no longer able to meet the requirements of their mortgage, or passes away. A reverse mortgage can be paid out to you in a lump sum, in regular installments, as a line of credit (on an as needed basis), or some combination thereof.
The 3 Types of reverse mortgages
Single-purpose reverse mortgages are offered by local governments and are intended for low-income homeowners. They must be used for a specific purpose outlined by the lender (i.e. necessary home repairs).
Federally-insured reverse mortgages, or Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs), are provided by the federal government. These are the most common type of reverse mortgage, and have no income requirements or strings attached to their use (you can use a HECM for anything you want, like a new car or a child’s wedding).
Proprietary reverse mortgages are offered by private lenders, and offer higher levels of credit than the other types of equity loans discussed, but also generally carry higher interest rates. These are not recommended for low-income borrowers or those with a modestly valued home, as they have a history of predatory practices towards financially vulnerable clients.
As with any loan, it’s important to consider whether an increase in debt is absolutely necessary. Reverse mortgages may be preferable to more expensive forms of credit, but you should evaluate all of your options before signing up.
The downsides of having a reverse mortgage
Inability to refinance and murky terms. Reverse mortgage documents can be confusing to read so before entering into a loan agreement, make sure you fully understand the terms of the said agreement. Unfavorable terms can include:
- Inability to renegotiate terms or refinance, which means borrowers could be stuck paying a high interest rate (which makes the loan hard to pay off).
- An adjustable rate that increases quickly that often catches borrowers unaware.
High interest rates and upfront costs. Interest rates on reverse mortgages can be 1.5% higher than regular home loans, and final costs could include lender fees, mortgage insurance premiums, finance charges and closing costs, all of which eat into the total amount available to you.
A strain on heirs. If you plan to leave your property to your heirs, they will have the option of paying the loan in full or 95% of the balance. If they can’t settle this debt with their own funds, the home must be sold in order to repay the lender. Also if you decide to sell the home you will have to repay the balance as soon as your house is sold.
Loss of equity in your home. Over time, the high accrued interest on your reverse mortgages may drain any remaining equity in your home. Moreover, some homeowners have found that lenders fail to keep accurate records, and there were obstacles when attempting to prevent foreclosure—such as slow response times (critical during foreclosure), receiving erroneous information or instructions, and general unresponsiveness. Before entering into an agreement, it would be wise to seek counsel of a trusted third party reverse mortgage professional or financial advisor.
