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What Suze Orman Says About Reverse Mortgages (2011-Present)

May 23, 2023     4 comments

Personal finance experts often address reverse mortgage questions and concerns from the general public, which typically involves a discussion of the pros and cons of these financial products.  Suze Orman, known for years of experience providing personal financial expertise, including hosting the Suze Orman Show on CNBC for over a decade, has often answered questions and provided her opinions on reverse mortgages.  In addition to her time on CNBC, Orman has written 10 New York Times personal finance bestsellers and has frequently appeared as a guest on television shows; today, she... Read Full Article

HUD Can Help Seniors by Raising the Reverse Mortgage Floor Back to 5%

May 20, 2023     1 comment

HUD has always been about serving the underserved. They even issued a Strategic Plan in March of 2022 outlining 5 areas they would concentrate on helping serve the community. You can find that plan online here. What you cannot find anywhere in that 82-page plan is a mention of senior homeowners who have been decimated by high-interest rates and HUD cutbacks in the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) reverse mortgage program since 2009 when HUD first started seeing problems with the HECM reverse mortgage program due in part to a... Read Full Article

Protecting Your Home from Reverse Mortgage Foreclosure Threat

May 10, 2023     2 comments

Dear ARLO, I just returned from the hospital, where my uncle was transported by his neighbor, thinking he was having a heart attack.  My uncle said he almost passed out after receiving a letter from his reverse mortgage lender threatening to foreclose. I was told he may be discharged tomorrow, but I need to quickly step in to help him, a retired veteran.  Before wasting your time, I read some comments on this site and found a few similar ones, but I need clarification, so I am asking for help... Read Full Article

Are reverse mortgages FDIC-insured, and do banking failures affect them?

March 20, 2023     no comments

This will be welcoming news if you are worried about reverse mortgages being non-FDIC insured. Fortunately for reverse mortgage borrowers, reverse mortgages are not FDIC-insured and, therefore, are not endangered by all the turmoil with banks at this time. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guarantees the reverse mortgage. Specifically, HUD guarantees that the borrower can access the full line of credit. Rates had been creeping up quickly in recent weeks, driving borrowers available funds on reverse mortgages down.  However, when Signature Bank collapsed this past... Read Full Article

Reverse Mortgages Are No Longer a “Last Resort”

January 18, 2023     2 comments

I've been told to wait on taking a reverse mortgage as a last resort.  Why? Let me start by saying that we are a reverse mortgage lender who will be the first to tell you that reverse mortgages are not for everyone.  But that's true of any financial product, and no loan is perfect for everyone. A reverse mortgage can be a great financial tool when used by the right borrower and for the right purposes.  You need to assess your circumstances to see if this is right based on... Read Full Article

What is AARP’s Role in Reverse Mortgages?

November 29, 2022     21 comments

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a large, independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people aged 50 and above achieve financial independence. While the organization, which serves 37 million older Americans and counting, doesn't offer reverse mortgage products directly, it does weigh in on them in some significant ways. Here's where AARP comes into play for retirees who may be considering a reverse mortgage as a means to age in place. What does AARP think of reverse mortgages? AARP has supported reverse mortgage products to help older... Read Full Article

Why Higher Rates Can Make the Best Time for Reverse Mortgages

October 26, 2022     no comments

Why would someone use a reverse mortgage while rates are up?! Due to inflation, interest rates have been climbing since early this year and borrowers receive less money on the loan at today’s rates than they did even a year ago.  However, it may still make sense for seniors to consider a reverse mortgage over moving, and here’s why.  Senior equity has risen to over 11 trillion dollars in the US. In many areas the market is getting much softer with the higher rates.  Houses are beginning to take longer to sell and... Read Full Article

Reverse Mortgage Servicing: Setting the Record Straight.

September 28, 2022     40 comments

Understanding Reverse Mortgage Servicing Reverse mortgage servicing is a vital yet often misunderstood part of the loan process. While borrowers focus on securing their loan, many don’t realize that servicing plays a long-term role in managing their reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage moves through several stages: it starts with origination, proceeds to closing, and then enters the servicing phase—where it remains for the life of the loan. However, that doesn’t mean your loan will stay with the same servicer indefinitely. Servicing rights can be transferred, and understanding how this... Read Full Article

How a Reverse Mortgage Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure Works

September 19, 2022     76 comments

My mom procured a reverse mortgage when property values were high. She can no longer live alone in the home and has vacated it; we cannot sell it because the home has devalued in accordance with the failed economy. The family is attempting to process, through an attorney, a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure, but the loan has been transferred to 3 different loan companies since mom vacated the property 5 months ago, and they have ignored the attorney's letters and continue to send mailings telling my mom that they... Read Full Article

Reverse Mortgage Expected Rate is Key to the Principal Limit

September 12, 2022     8 comments

Many homeowners understand that when they qualify for a reverse mortgage, they're eligible for a loan amount that's a percentage of their home's value or the HUD Lending limit, whichever is lower.  This amount, commonly known as the 'Principal Limit,' is a key factor in reverse mortgages. Yet, the 'Expected Rate' is a lesser-known aspect that significantly impacts the available funds from a reverse mortgage.  Understanding how this rate influences the loan proceeds is crucial for consumers considering a reverse mortgage. Reverse Mortgage Expected Rate: Impact and... Read Full Article