The time it takes may vary depending on state regulations and how long it takes for the appraisal, counseling session and loan processing.
reverse mortgages
can close in as little as 30 days, but it's best to plan them for at least 45 to 60 days. The lender can offer a better estimate for specific areas and situations. A reverse mortgage application process generally takes 30 to 45 days from start to finish and consists of five main steps.However, the longest part of the reverse mortgage lending process is the decision-making process that leads to the application. The appraisal schedule is an element that is completely beyond the lender's control. In many cases, the evaluation can be completed in a couple of weeks, but depending on the region, it can take up to two months or longer. In general, reverse mortgage loans must be repaid when you move out of the house or when you die.
However, you may need to repay the loan sooner if the home is no longer your primary residence, if you don't pay your property taxes or homeowners insurance, or if you don't keep your home in good shape. Your loan limit is called the capital limit. It takes into account your age, the interest rate on your loan and the value of your home. In general, loans with older borrowers, homes with higher prices and lower interest rates will have higher capital limits than loans with younger borrowers, homes with lower prices and higher interest rates.
If you are married or applying for a shared loan with someone else, the primary limit is based on the age of the youngest co-borrower or eligible non-borrower spouse. Family members, caregivers and financial advisors have also taken advantage of older people, either through a power of attorney to cancel the mortgage on the home and then steal their profits or convincing them to buy a financial product, such as an annuity or life insurance policy, that the elderly person can only pay by obtaining a reverse mortgage. You should explain how a reverse mortgage could affect your eligibility for Medicaid and Supplemental Income Insurance (SSI). If you have any questions about how a reverse mortgage works, or if you're considering one for yourself, it opens in a new windowGet in touch with Brett Stumm, reverse mortgage specialist, today.
Even when the most reputable lenders issue a reverse mortgage, it's still a complicated product. The reverse mortgage appraisal must be done by an FHA approved appraiser (not all appraisers have this approval) and must follow a specific FHA format. With a product as potentially lucrative as a reverse mortgage and a vulnerable population of borrowers who may have cognitive problems or desperately seek financial salvation, scams abound. For more information on whether a reverse mortgage may be right for you, consult an independent financial advisor.
In either case, you'll usually need at least 50% of equity based on the current value of your home, not what you paid for it to qualify for a reverse mortgage. Mortgage Equity Conversion (HECM) mortgages, the most common type of reverse mortgage, come with a number of one-time fees and ongoing costs. And while options for generating additional income for retirement once seemed limited, reverse mortgages have given today's seniors access to another source of wealth: home equity. You can use a line of credit growth feature that allows you to borrow money now and leave some credit available for the future.
Variable-rate reverse mortgages are linked to a benchmark index, often the Treasury Constant Maturity Index (CMT). By meeting with an independent advisor, you can deepen your understanding of the reverse mortgage and get answers to any outstanding questions you may have. To avoid mortgage default, HUD encourages reverse mortgage borrowers to take advantage of reverse mortgage counseling services before applying for a loan. Usually, the escrow company uses the money earned by selling the home to pay the reverse mortgage along with other liens.
However, this isn't always a good idea, as reverse mortgages can be difficult to recover and you could lose your home equity. . .
