The Misconceptions of Reverse Mortgages

More and more elderly Americans are looking into reverse mortgages these days. For homeowners ages 62 and up, a reverse mortgage can be an excellent way to receive extra cash flow to help cover expenses or improve seniors’ quality of life. But reverse mortgages are very complex financial agreements, and it’s easy for people to get confused about these transactions. Here are some of the most common misconceptions about reverse mortgages:

1.  Misconception: The lending institution actually owns the house in a reverse mortgage arrangement.
Borrowers still maintain ownership of the home under a reverse mortgage, just like with a conventional mortgage. But instead of the homeowner paying off the mortgage with monthly payments, he or she receives money periodically based on the equity that has been put into the home over many years. Because there is no change in title possession, homeowners must still pay property taxes, keep up with repairs, and maintain proper insurance on their home.

2.  Misconception: Under a reverse mortgage, a homeowner can lose his or her home.
Exactly the opposite is true. If homeowners remain compliant with the terms of the reverse mortgage (such as not renting the home out for extra income or living elsewhere for over six months in a given year), then they can remain in the home for as long as they live or until they leave or sell it. They cannot see their home taken away from them as a result of foreclosure.

3.  Misconception: A bank will automatically sell the home when a reverse mortgage comes due.
Though this is a common occurrence, there is no requirement under the terms of a reverse mortgage that the home be sold upon the loan’s disposition. Often, revenue received from the sale of the home is the easiest source of funding for repayment of a reverse mortgage. But if homeowners (or their heirs) choose to do so, they may pay off the reverse mortgage with other monies or by taking out a conventional mortgage on the remaining loan balance.

4.  Misconception: Homeowners can’t qualify for a reverse mortgage if they don’t meet certain income requirements.
There are no income requirements for a reverse mortgage. Individuals must only meet the age requirement and have enough equity invested in the home in order to qualify. Whether a homeowner gets Social Security benefits, receives a pension or 401(k) distributions, profits from investments, or has no money coming in at all, the status of the person’s reverse mortgage application will not be affected.

5.  Misconception: A reverse mortgage may affect seniors’ Social Security or Medicare benefits.
In most cases, these entitlement programs will not be affected by funds received as a part of a reverse mortgage. However, the payment might affect the status of a person’s Medicaid eligibility if the individual gets more than $2,000 ($3,000 for a couple) in a calendar month and does not spend it by the end of that month. Reverse mortgage money may also influence a senior’s status under some Federal Supplemental Security Income or state entitlement programs.

6.  Misconception: A conventional mortgage must be entirely paid off in order for a homeowner to qualify for a reverse mortgage.
Seniors can still obtain a reverse mortgage even if they owe some money on their original mortgage. However, any funds received from a reverse mortgage must first be used to repay the conventional mortgage. For example, if a homeowner qualifies for $100,000 under a reverse mortgage but still has $25,000 remaining on the home’s original mortgage, he or she will receive just $75,000 in payments.

7.  Misconception: Under a reverse mortgage, the homeowner faces numerous restrictions on how he or she can spend the money.
Funds received from a reverse mortgage can be used for anything. A homeowner can spend the money on medical bills, prescription drugs, home repairs, a new vehicle or a luxury item. The money can be allocated toward repayment of credit card debt, other loans or legal judgements. And a person can set aside reverse mortgage funding for the purpose of future long-term care, additional investing or even a college fund for his or her grandchildren.

8.  Misconception: A homeowner could be stuck with a huge bill at the end of a reverse mortgage if the value of the home depreciates.
A reverse mortgage is known as a “non-recourse” loan, which means that the lender cannot demand a larger amount than the value of the home at the time of disposition. In other words, if the market value of the home falls below the amount of debt owed on it (a conventional mortgage would be called “upside down” under these conditions), or if the occupant outlives the life of reverse mortgage, then he or she is only required pay back an amount equal to the value of the home. This is actually one of the main advantages of a reverse mortgage. It’s important to note, though, that if the homeowners default their loan by failing to pay taxes or insurance, they will owe the balance, even if it’s greater than the value of the home.

Correct: Questions about a reverse mortgage can be answered by a qualified counseling agency.
Homeowners are required by law to seek counseling from a federally-approved agency before they can secure a reverse mortgage. These counselors can also formulate an individualized assessment of each homeowner’s financial situation before a reverse mortgage agreement is signed. Counseling and other legal safeguards have been implemented to provide senior citizens with all the information they need to make an informed decision on securing a reverse mortgage.