After the reverse mortgage is issued, an additional 0.5% mortgage insurance premium (MIP) is charged annually. This 0.5% is based on the amount borrowed. Since most HECMs only allow homeowners to borrow up to 50% of their home equity, this tends to be significantly less than the initial cost. Reverse mortgages often come with high closing fees and costs, and a potentially expensive mortgage insurance premium.
For loans equal to 60% or less of the appraised value of the home, this premium is usually equal to 0.5%. However, if a reverse mortgage exceeds 60% of the value of the home, the premium may increase to 2.5% of the loan amount. Federal regulations require that your home be structurally sound and comply with all local home security and building codes in order to make the reverse mortgage. This is expected to illuminate whether a reverse mortgage is a better option than another plan, such as selling the house or applying for a home equity loan.
Other disclosures, such as an amortization table, are provided to keep you fully informed about the costs associated with your reverse mortgage. A recent rule change made fixed-rate reverse mortgages less desirable for many borrowers due to new restrictions on loan income. This fee is charged at closing and is equivalent to 2% of the total appraised value of the home, not necessarily how much the reverse mortgage amount will be. So, if the index rate is 2.5% and the lender's margin is 2%, then the interest rate on the reverse mortgage will be 4.5%.
Variable-rate reverse mortgages have a rate that is subject to change over the life of the loan, which can result in variable costs. A “Repair Reserve” will be established from the income of the reverse mortgage to pay the cost of repairs. With such a potentially lucrative product as a reverse mortgage and a vulnerable population of borrowers who may be cognitively impaired or desperately seeking financial salvation, scams abound. There are also private lenders that offer reverse mortgage products, although the guidelines outlined here focus on HECMs.
Private companies offer reverse mortgage programs that offer loan amounts higher than the HECM loan limits set by the FHA. You should explain how a reverse mortgage might affect your eligibility for Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you're a homeowner, reverse mortgages can be a tool to add a little margin to your budget. Unless you choose the lump sum option, the interest rate on your reverse mortgage is adjustable, which could quickly reduce your available capital if rates increase.
You will not receive a reverse mortgage interest tax deduction until all or part of the balance has been repaid.
Leave Reply