Is a Reverse Mortgage Ever a Good Idea?

Expensive N.,

Tom Selleck makes it sound so easy in these AAG commercials the place he touts reverse mortgages as a means for seniors to have a safe retirement whereas staying within the houses they love.

After all, it’s secure to imagine that Selleck — whose estimated web price is $45 million — isn’t in want of the product he’s shilling. But it surely’s straightforward to grasp the enchantment of a reverse mortgage for common senior residents.

Contemplate that about 48% of households headed by somebody age 55 or older had nothing saved for retirement, in accordance with a 2019 report from the U.S. Authorities Accountability Workplace. However about 82% of individuals age 65 and up personal a house.

Which means there’s probability many seniors will use their house fairness to fund not less than a part of their retirement with a reverse mortgage. However there are some dangers you want to concentrate on earlier than you pursue one.

First the fundamentals on reverse mortgages: They’re accessible to owners age 62 and older who personal their houses outright or have vital fairness.

With a daily mortgage, you’d make common funds to the lender, however with a reverse mortgage, your lender makes funds to you. They will come within the type of a lump sum, month-to-month fee, line of credit score or a mix.

Curiosity is tacked onto your mortgage steadiness, which isn’t due till you die, promote the house or transfer out.

As you obtain funds, your fairness drops. That may not sound like an enormous deal now, particularly should you plan to remain in your house for a few years. However because you’re solely 65 — that means you’ll be able to count on to stay one other 21 years on common — that you must contemplate the affect of lowering your fairness ought to that you must promote your property sooner or later.

You’re nonetheless liable for property taxes, house insurance coverage and any home-owner affiliation charges. Fall behind on these, and your lender might foreclose on you. That’s an actual concern I’ve for you need to your earnings drop considerably.

You’ll additionally pay hefty charges to get a reverse mortgage, together with closing prices, a 2% mortgage insurance coverage premium up entrance and a mortgage origination price of $2,500 or 2% of the primary $200,000 of the house’s appraised worth, plus 1% of its extra worth.

For those who determine the dangers and prices of a reverse mortgage aren’t price it, you could possibly attempt to promote your property and downsize to a less expensive one.

However should you determine to pursue a reverse mortgage, attempt to wait so long as attainable. Typically, the older you might be whenever you take out a reverse mortgage, the upper your payout might be.

This will likely sound unattainable provided that your employment prospects are shaky the place you reside. However a rising variety of corporations have work-from-home jobs that might allow you to earn earnings with out shifting. (Shameless self plug: The BaghdadTime recurrently posts distant job alternatives accessible all through the U.S.) An alternative choice could be to remain put and tackle a renter to generate extra earnings.

For those who proceed with a reverse mortgage, you’ll have to satisfy with a HUD-approved counselor first, and whenever you accomplish that, take full benefit. The world of reverse mortgages is stuffed with extremely complicated phrases and circumstances and deceptive claims. So make sure you absolutely perceive all the main points earlier than you signal something since we’re speaking about your most respected asset.

Robin Hartill is a licensed monetary planner and a senior author at The BaghdadTime. Ship your tough cash inquiries to [email protected] or chat along with her in The BaghdadTime Neighborhood.