Reverse Mortgages

Reverse Mortgages are becoming popular in America. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) created one of the first. HUD's Reverse Mortgage is a federally-insured private loan, and it's a safe plan that can give older Americans greater financial security. Many seniors use it to supplement social security, meet unexpected medical expenses, make home improvements, and more. You can receive free information about reverse mortgages by calling AARP at: 1-800-209-8085, toll-free. Since your home is probably your largest single investment, it's smart to know more about reverse mortgages, and decide if one is right for you!

A reverse mortgage is a special type of home loan that lets a homeowner convert a portion of the equity in his or her home into cash. The equity built up over years of home mortgage payments can be paid to you. But unlike a traditional home equity loan or second mortgage, no repayment is required until the borrower(s) no longer use the home as their principal residence. HUD's reverse mortgage provides these benefits, and it is federally-insured as well.

To be eligible for a HUD reverse mortgage, HUD's Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requires that the borrower is a homeowner, 62 years of age or older; own your home outright, or have a low mortgage balance that can be paid off at the closing with proceeds from the reverse loan; and must live in the home. You are further required to receive consumer information from HUD-approved counseling sources prior to obtaining the loan. You can contact the Housing Counseling Clearinghouse on 1-800-569-4287 to obtain the name and telephone number of a HUD-approved counseling agency and a list of FHA approved lenders within your area.

3. Can I apply if I didn't buy my present house with FHA mortgage insurance?

Yes. It doesn't matter if you didn't buy it with an FHA-insured mortgage. Your new HUD reverse mortgage will be a new FHA-insured mortgage loan.

Your home must be a single family dwelling or a two-to-four unit property that you own and occupy. Townhouses, detached homes, units in condominiums and some manufactured homes are eligible. Condominiums must be FHA-approved. It is possible for individual condominiums units to qualify under the Spot Loan program.

5. What's the difference between a reverse mortgage and a bank home equity loan?

With a traditional second mortgage, or a home equity line of credit, you must have sufficient income versus debt ratio to qualify for the loan, and you are required to make monthly mortgage payments. The reverse mortgage is different in that it pays you, and is available regardless of your current income. The amount you can borrow depends on your age, the current interest rate, and the appraised value of your home or FHA's mortgage limits for your area, whichever is less. Generally, the more valuable your home is, the older you are, the lower the interest, the more you can borrow. You don't make payments, because the loan is not due as long as the house is your principal residence. Like all homeowners, you still are required to pay your real estate taxes and other conventional payments like utilities, but with an FHA-insured HUD Reverse Mortgage, you cannot be foreclosed or forced to vacate your house because you "missed your mortgage payment."

No! You do not need to repay the loan as long as you or one of the borrowers continues to live in the house and keeps the taxes and insurance current. You can never owe more than your home's value.

When you sell your home or no longer use it for your primary residence, you or your estate will repay the cash you received from the reverse mortgage, plus interest and other fees, to the lender. The remaining equity in your home, if any, belongs to you or to your heirs. None of your other assets will be affected by HUD's reverse mortgage loan. This debt will never be passed along to the estate or heirs.

The amount you can borrow depends on your age, the current interest rate, and the appraised value of your home or FHA's mortgage limits for your area, whichever is less. Generally, the more valuable your home is, the older you are, the lower the interest, the more you can borrow.

I've been contacted by a firm that will give me the name of a lender for a "small percentage" of the loan? HUD does NOT recommend using an estate planning service, or any service that charges a fee just for referring a borrower to a lender! HUD provides this information without cost, and HUD-approved housing counseling agencies are available for free, or at minimal cost, to provide information, counseling, and free referral to a list of HUD-approved lenders. Call 1-800-569-4287, toll-free, for the name and location of a HUD-approved housing counseling agency near you.

Home of Loan John - 410 S. State St. - Davison, MI 48423
Office Phone: (810) 654-2525 Fax: (810) 654-9825 Toll Free #: (866) LOAN JOHN

Home of Loan John and a member of the Symphony Homes family of companies offers mortgage services in the following areas: GENESEE COUNTY, LAPEER COUNTY, OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN, ATLAS, BURTON, CLIO, DAVISON, FENTON, FLINT, FLUSHING, GOODRICH, GRAND BLANC, MONTROSE, MUNDY, RICHFIELD, AND SWARTZ CREEK. Mortgage loans are also provided in LAPEER, CLARKSTON, HOLLY, LAKE ORION, NOVI, OXFORD, PONTIAC, ROCHESTER, ROCHESTER HILLS, TROY, AND WATERFORD. Copyright 2001 - 2008 Loan John and Real Estate One Symphony Homes. Our American Government Mortgage and Loan programs provides clients with FHA, VA, and Reverse Mortgage services. Be sure to ask about our revolutionary TRADE IN PROGRAM! That's right, now you can TRADE IN YOUR OLD HOUSE FOR A BRAND NEW SYMPHONY HOME! Call (810) 658-3600 for more information. NEW HOMES ON OUR LOT OR YOURS! Symphony Homes is a new homes Michigan builder in Genesee and Oakland County currently building in several new home communities including Burton, Davison, Goodrich, Grand Blanc, and Lake Orion! New home styles feature single family detached homes and condominiums. Complete loan and financing services are now available through our mortgage partner, HOME OF LOAN JOHN). Call (810) 654-2525 to speak with one of our mortgage experts! Symphony Homes is proud to be a REAL ESTATE ONE affiliate! SEARCH THE MLS for all homes in the state of Michigan by accessing the MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE directly from this site! Also, be sure to visit THE VALUE PLAY for powerful real estate software, audio CDs featuring author Steve Berges, and business, real estate, and legal forms! Tired of paying high gas prices? Then be sure to visit THE GAS SAVER to learn how you can begin saving $$$ now!

NAMB - National Association of Mortgage Brokers