All Reverse Mortgage, Inc. (ARLO) has developed the first-ever reverse mortgage amortization calculator that illustrates a repayment scenario. 

You can decide how much you would want to pay monthly, and our calculator can show you how that will change your amortization schedule. 

We have also developed an industry-first reverse mortgage amortization calculator that lets you change future interest rates, appreciation rates, and payment assumptions.  Download the amortization calculator here!

Benefits of making payments on a reverse mortgage

Have you ever wondered how a reverse mortgage loan could be more advantageous than a traditional loan?  Do you think reverse mortgage loans are only for those as a last resort?

If you thought you would have no home equity for the rest of your life if you got a reverse mortgage loan.  I have some news for you that will make you reconsider that position and see how a reverse mortgage could be more beneficial to you than a traditional loan.

One feature that should be more well-known is that reverse mortgage loans have no prepayment penalties, and homeowners can make payments at any time.  That is right; you can take out a reverse mortgage that requires no monthly payments but still make payments on the loan to lower the balance for the future or pay it off over a set period.

Homeowners can opt to make partial repayments to the loan in several different ways.  Some people have decided they would pay just enough monthly to keep the balance the same as the amount borrowed at closing.  Others decide to pay more as they eventually want to repay the loan.

Now one might ask:

“Why would I get a Reverse Mortgage if I am just going to make payments?”

There are many reasons why people across the country are going this route.  Reverse mortgages are much easier to qualify for than traditional loans regarding income and credit requirements.

Those on a fixed income or those who cannot verify their income traditionally may not qualify for a conventional loan.  However, since the guidelines on reverse mortgages currently do not require income requirements and the credit guidelines are minimal, it is easier to qualify for this product.

Reverse Mortgage Amortization Calculator FAQs

Q.

How is a reverse mortgage calculated?

Using a reverse mortgage calculator, the age of the youngest borrower (or spouse) and the expected interest rate will determine the loan-to-value percentage a borrower will be eligible for.  This figure is applied to the home value to determine the principal limit and the total available loan amount on a reverse mortgage.

Q.

Does interest accrue on a reverse mortgage?

Yes.  A reverse mortgage does not require any monthly mortgage payments.  By default, the interest due is added to the outstanding loan balance.  Therefore, the loan amount will increase over time.  However, voluntary repayments of interest and principal are permitted on a reverse mortgage loan, so while payments are not required, you can make one at any time, should you desire.

Q.

Does a reverse mortgage have negative amortization?

Yes.  On a traditional loan, you typically have a structured 30-year repayment, and the amortization schedule will show a balance that decreases with each payment.  On a reverse mortgage, interest charges are added to your outstanding loan balance, which rises each month, creating negative amortization.  You can stop negative amortization by applying for an interest-only payment at any given month.

Q.

How is compound interest calculated on a reverse mortgage?

When you do not make an interest repayment on a reverse mortgage loan, the interest that was due is rolled onto the outstanding loan balance the next month.  Then the loan servicer will charge interest the next month on your new loan balance; this is called compounding interest.

Q.

Is interest on a reverse mortgage tax deductible?

Interest becomes deductible when an actual repayment is applied to the interest.  If you utilize a reverse mortgage loan as it was designed and make no payments, you would not have incurred any paid interest during the calendar year.  However, if you make voluntary payments towards your reverse mortgage loan, you could pay interest within a calendar year and therefore have that possible benefit Remember that repayments made to a reverse mortgage loan are first applied to Mortgage Insurance Premiums on the loan before they can be applied to interest.  This means if you make small amounts of repayment in an amount less than or equal to the amount of Mortgage Insurance Premiums accrued, you would not have paid any interest. *Talk to your trusted tax professional.