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How Occupancy Fraud Threatens the Reverse Mortgage Program

February 3, 2024     28 comments

Because of health issues, I've moved my Mom in with me, and at some point, I will most likely have to move her to a nursing home. Her granddaughter lived there until a couple of weeks ago. She has wrecked the house. The monthly statement has the house at way more than I could ever sell the place for to pay it back. What are my options? ~Jan Reverse mortgages are designed as non-recourse loans, offering a significant safety net for borrowers and their estates. In situations where the property's... Read Full Article

Credit Requirements for a Reverse Mortgage in 2024

January 31, 2024     64 comments

Evaluating a borrower's credit history is an important part of qualifying for a reverse mortgage.  This article explains the credit qualifications necessary for a reverse mortgage in 2024, highlighting key factors such as payment history, satisfactory credit, and additional considerations that underwriters will evaluate in the loan approval process. How will my credit history be examined for a reverse mortgage? Your lender will evaluate your credit history as part of the financial assessment and will require a credit report for all borrowers to document that history.  However,... Read Full Article

How Reverse Mortgage Appraisal Laws & Appeals Work

January 31, 2024     8 comments

One thing you should know if you are contemplating a reverse mortgage is that your home will have to undergo an appraisal by an FHA-approved appraiser. This will be a very extensive appraisal in which the appraiser should inspect your entire property, do a head and shoulders inspection of the attic (pop their head up and look around), measure the home, and be responsible for checking many items. The physical inspection is only a portion of the actual appraisal.  The appraiser will usually have done a lot of research on... Read Full Article

Reverse Mortgage After Death: What Heirs & Family Must Know.

January 27, 2024     268 comments

It seems that one of the most popular questions we get is: What happens with my reverse mortgage and my home after death? When considering a reverse mortgage, an important question many borrowers and their heirs face is what happens to the reverse mortgage and the family home after the borrower's death.  This concern is particularly significant given that reverse mortgages are often viewed as the last loan a homeowner may need, designed to allow them to tap into their home equity while relieving them of monthly mortgage payments for... Read Full Article

How Bankruptcy Can Affect Your Reverse Mortgage Eligibility

January 25, 2024     54 comments

We recently had several borrowers who had previously obtained a reverse mortgage call and asked us what the effect would be on those reverse mortgages if they had to begin a bankruptcy proceeding. While we are not attorneys and would always advise you to seek competent legal advice from an attorney in your state, we did want to contact an expert in the field of loan servicing for reverse mortgages and get some additional information that we could pass on. We contacted Ryan LaRose, Chief Operating Officer of CELINK, the nation's... Read Full Article

Top 10 Reverse Mortgage Counseling Agencies (Free & Online Availability)

January 24, 2024     17 comments

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) mandates that homeowners exploring a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) must receive essential counseling.  This counseling, provided by a HUD-approved HECM agency, covers the details and alternatives of reverse mortgages. To assist you, we are required to offer a list of approved reverse mortgage counseling agencies.  This list includes five nationwide companies as specified by HUD for HECM, alongside local agencies near you.  The number of nearby agencies varies; some borrowers may have several options, while others might need to travel... Read Full Article

2024 HECM Reverse Mortgage Limits Surge to $1,149,825

January 24, 2024     2 comments

As the calendar turns to 2024, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has made a pivotal announcement that is set to impact the landscape of Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM).  The maximum claim amount for HECMs in 2024 has been increased from $1,089,300 to $1,149,825, effective for case numbers assigned from January 1, 2024, onwards. Our guide breaks down the FHA's decision in an easy-to-understand format.  We've included handy tables comparing the reverse mortgage loan limits of 2023 and 2024, showing you exactly how much more you might be... Read Full Article

Reverse Mortgage Life Expectancy Set Aside (LESA) Explained

January 22, 2024     55 comments

A key development in the overhaul of HECM guidelines was the introduction of the LESA.  This requirement is a response to past challenges where borrowers, after receiving a lump-sum equity payment, struggled to meet essential obligations such as homeowners insurance, property taxes, and home maintenance to FHA standards, leading to defaults. The LESA is designed to ensure that property charges are managed effectively, safeguarding borrowers from the risk of default. The Security of a LESA with a Reverse Mortgage The Life Expectancy Set Aside (LESA) is revolutionizing how... Read Full Article

Is a Reverse Mortgage Right for You? 3 Key Considerations

January 22, 2024     8 comments

Like many of our readers who are navigating retirement, you might wonder if a reverse mortgage is right for you.  You've likely seen your equity grow substantially, possibly even owning your home outright - a common scenario for many baby boomers. Your home, often your largest asset, may lead you to consider the option of a reverse mortgage.  At All Reverse Mortgage, we understand the importance of this decision.  This article integrates our insights with 3 important questions, helping you evaluate whether a reverse mortgage fits your financial future. We'll... Read Full Article

5 Ways To Lose Your Home With a Reverse Mortgage

January 22, 2024     25 comments

With a Federal Housing Administration-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), the borrower retains ownership of the property while continuing to live there throughout the loan.  They are not required to make monthly mortgage payments during that time. Reverse mortgages are often misunderstood, and a common misperception is the idea that in a reverse mortgage, "the bank takes the home." On the contrary, if the borrower meets the loan terms, that borrower maintains ownership of the home throughout the entire course of the loan. The loan balance grows over time, and... Read Full Article