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- FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
GETTING STARTED WITH A REVERSE MORTGAGE
What is a reverse mortgage or senior citizen mortgage?
- A Reverse Mortgage is a loan that enables a "senior" homeowner,
having attained the age of 62 or older, to convert part of the equity in
their home to tax free income without having to give up title or take on
a monthly payment.
How do I qualify for a reverse mortgage?
- You must be at least 62 years of age, own, and have equity in your
home and it must be your primary residence. There are no income, credit
or health requirements to qualify.
What if I already have a mortgage or other debt on my home?
- The mortgage and or debt will be paid off from the proceeds of the
Reverse Mortgage loan. Your Reverse Mortgage will then be based upon the
remaining equity in your home.
How will the income from the Reverse Mortgage affect my taxes, social
security or other benefits?
- Proceeds from a Reverse Mortgage are not taxable; it's your money
(equity), not taxable income. Nor will your regular Social Security or
Medicare be affected. The impact, if any, on other federal, state or
local assistance programs should be discussed with your financial
advisor or the program sponsor.
How much money can I borrow?
- This depends upon borrower's age, market value and equity in the home
and the interest rate at the time of origination.
Are there payment options?
- Yes. You can choose to receive fixed monthly payments for as long as
the home is your primary residence or, a lump sum payment, a line of
credit or any combination of the above.
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THE REVERSE MORTGAGE PROCESS
Who will own my home after I get a Reverse Mortgage?
- You will continue to own and have title to your home just as with a
regular mortgage.
How much will it cost to get a Reverse Mortgage loan?
- Many of the same costs of a regular home mortgage apply to the senior
citizen Reverse Mortgage. The charges will include an appraisal and
credit report fee, termite inspection, origination fee, mortgage
insurance fee (for FHA/HUD Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HEMC),
monthly servicing fee and other standard recording or closing costs. In
most instances these fees are capped, financed as part of the Reverse Mortgage
and taken out of the loan proceeds at the closing.
Will a formal appraisal be required to get a Reverse Mortgage?
- Yes. The value of your home is one of the factors which will determine
how much money you can receive. We will order the appraisal which is
normally paid for by the borrower upon application.
Will I need an attorney to get a reverse mortgage?
- An attorney is not required but we encourage the borrower to seek
advice from a family member and/or legal, tax or financial advisor
before committing to a Reverse Mortgage.
Will I be required to receive counseling before I can get a Reverse
Mortgage?
- Yes. Counseling is required and this educational session is designed
to inform you and reconfirm the mechanics of Reverse Mortgage. We will
provide you the name and phone number of an approved Reverse Mortgage
counselor.
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THE REVERSE MORTGAGE PHASE
Will I be required to make any payments when I have a Reverse
Mortgage?
- No. The lending institution pays you. You are responsible for real
estate taxes, homeowners insurance and the upkeep of the property.
Are there any restrictions on the use of the money from the Reverse
Mortgage loan?
- None whatsoever. You can use the proceeds to pay off medical bills,
purchase or pay for health insurance or health care, life insurance,
repair your home, purchase a second home, pay for college tuition for
your grandchildren, travel, put it in the bank or use it anyway you
choose.
Must I make monthly mortgage payments?
- No. There are no payments so long as the owner(s) continue(s) to
occupy the home as their primary residence. The homeowner is only
responsible to maintain the home, pay for insurance and property taxes.
Can one of the owners remain in the house if the other moves out or
passes away?
- Yes. The last primary resident to vacate the home triggers repayment
of the loan.
Will a temporary non-occupancy cause the Reverse Mortgage to become
due?
- Non-occupancy of your principal residence for more than one year will
cause the Reverse Mortgage to become due.
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AT THE END OF THE REVERSE MORTGAGE
When must the loan be paid off?
- When the home is no longer the primary residence of the owner, the
owner sells the home, or the owner dies.
Do my heirs have to sell the house to repay the Reverse Mortgage?
- No. They can repay the balance due on the Reverse Mortgage and keep
the home. If they choose to sell the home they keep the excess proceeds
of the sale after satisfying the mortgage.
Are my heirs responsible for the Reverse Mortgage if it exceeds the
value of the home?
- No. Your estate is not responsible for this mortgage. This is a non-
recourse loan.
Will my estate have to pay taxes on the proceeds I received from the
Reverse Mortgage?
- No. The proceeds are tax free. (But please consult with your tax
advisor).
How much will be owed at the end of the Reverse Mortgage?
- The amount borrowed, the accrued interest, the mortgage insurance
premiums accrued, services fees and any of the costs or fees financed as
part of the Reverse Mortgage. There are no prepayment penalty fees.
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THE REVERSE MORTGAGE AS AN ESTATE PLANNING TOOL
Can a Living Trust or other form of trust take out a Reverse
Mortgage?
- Yes, but subject to the conditions of the trust document. The entire
trust document must be made available to the lender in order to approve
the Reverse Mortgage loan and in a manner that maintains the integrity
of the trust.
Will any other part of the homeowner's estate be responsible for the
Reverse Mortgage debt?
- No. The Reverse Mortgage loan is non-recourse even if the equity is
less than the amount due.
Can the accrued interest be used to benefit the estate?
- Yes. In many instances this may be the case but you should consult
with your legal or tax advisor regarding these or other tax
implications.
Are the proceeds of the Reverse Mortgage tax free, even if taken as
one lump sum?
- Yes. But please consult with your financial advisor.
Can the proceeds be used as a retirement or estate planning tool to
purchase annuities, life insurance, prepaid health insurance, etc. or
any combination thereof?
- Yes. The use of the proceeds is at the discretion of the borrower
and/or the direction of the borrower's financial or legal advisors. The
use of the proceeds of the Reverse Mortgage is limited to the creativity
and needs of the borrower.
General Comments.
- The Reverse Mortgage may be used to provide funding for healthcare or
medical treatment.
- It may reduce the impact of estate taxes through the purchase of
various other insurance products.
- It may maximize the legacy of estate transfer.
- It may lower the total estate value subject to taxes.
- It may create estate deductions thereby enhancing the net value of the
estate.
- It could provide an added element of control to the estate plan.
- The proceeds of the Reverse Mortgage are tax free. (Consult your
financial advisor or tax attorney).
q
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE REVERSE MORTGAGE
How much will it cost to get a Reverse Mortgage loan?
- Many of the same costs of a home purchase mortgage apply to the Reverse
Mortgage. The charges will include an appraisal fee, termite inspection,
origination fee, mortgage insurance fee (for FHA/HUD Home Equity Conversion
Mortgages (HEMC), monthly servicing fee and other standard recording or
closing costs. In most instances these fees are capped, financed as part of
the Reverse Mortgage and taken out of the loan proceeds at the closing.
- An appraisal fee may be charged at the time of the application process.
- There is no application fee.
- There are no "points" to the borrower.
- There is no processing fee.
- No "junk" fees
HOW DO I GET MORE
INFORMATION?
q Click Here or
call 1-888-332-2820 to get started today!
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