Sam in Reverse

Reverse Mortgage Loan May Benefit Financially Struggling Seniors | Red, White, & Blue Press

Those who qualify for a reverse mortgage may be able to reap more benefits from doing so than refinancing their home loan for a lower mortgage rate or mortgage payment. If you have equity in your home and are over the age of 62 you are able to get a reverse mortgage loan. However, it will depend on your personal situation as to whether it is in your best interest to do so or not. A reverse mortgage basically gives you money based on your home’s value, your age, and how much, if any, you owe on your home, among other things. A reverse mortgage can be valuable if you owe little or no money on your home because the money from a reverse mortgage must first go toward your mortgage. If you qualify for a $200,000 reverse mortgage and owe $50,000 on your home, you only keep $150,000. Obviously, this is going to be helpful, as you have paid off your mortgage balance and have money left over. In some cases, a reverse mortgage is going to be equal to or less than what you owe on your home, a...

Homeowners who hope to refinance existing mortgages that are "underwater" just got a reprieve that will allow them another year to do so. The Federal Home Financing Agency announced Monday that its Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), which was originally set to expire on June 30, 2010, will be extended to June 30, 2011. HARP, part of the Making Home Affordable Program, is designed to expand access to refinancing for otherwise qualified borrowers who cannot move into more affordable mortgages because of a lack of equity in their homes. Unlike other homeownership assistance programs, HARP guidelines are designed for borrowers who are current on their mortgages. The program was originally designed to help homeowners with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio up to 105 percent including those with some equity but not enough to refinance without private mortgage insurance. Last October that LTV figure was revised upward to 125 percent. Acting FHFA Director Ed DeMarco said tha...

Reverse mortgages are becoming popular in America. HUD's Federal Housing Administration (FHA) created one of the first. The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) is FHA's reverse mortgage program which enables you to withdraw some of the equity in your home. The HECM is a safe plan that can give older Americans greater financial security. Many seniors use it to supplement social security, meet unexpected medical expenses, make home improvements and more. You can receive free information about reverse mortgages in general by calling AARP toll free at (800) 209-8085. Since your home is probably your largest single investment, it's smart to know more about reverse mortgages, and decide if one is right for you! See the whole article on HUD's website http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hecm/rmtopten.cfm