Should You Apply for A Reverse Mortgage?
This is a collaborative post.
Economic crises happen now and then. However, this occurrence can be scary for individuals close to retirement, especially those without financial support. However, this is not a time to press the panic button. There is a viable solution – taking a reverse mortgage, unlike the traditional mortgages that leave borrowers scouting around for money to meet up with monthly deadlines.
Additionally, they also risk losing their homes on the grounds of missed payments. To avoid these problems, most homeowners apply for a reverse mortgage. Similar to equity release in some ways, it is also different in that you aren’t releasing equity from your home and instead are essentially securing it against your home.
Reverse Mortgages vs Traditional Loans
Although standard mortgages are beneficial, they come with their demerits, including regular payment intervals with strict penalties attached to them. It gets even worse; the repayment plan begins as soon as a homeowner takes the loan.
However, it is a different ball game for a reverse mortgage, as it does not require you to pay it back immediately. You can defer your repayments to a later time, pending when you have the financial capacity to do so. This payment option takes the pressure off one’s shoulders.
Reverse Mortgage – Its Merits and Process
This type of loan makes it possible for you to access the equity on your home. However, it is worth noting that you can only take a significant percentage of this value, and not all.
Once you have cleared the prerequisites required to access a reverse mortgage, you can access the fund for whatever pending or future cause. To calculate this equity, your lender will use a reverse mortgage calculator while considering specific information.
There are three options to receive payment: as a line of credit, a monthly paycheck, or as a lump sum. With the first option, you can set up your loan to cater to essentials when needed; this allows you to borrow money when desired.
You can also receive your mortgage fund as a monthly payment to cater to various bills. Finally, you can collect your money at once. This option is ideal for those with several immediate needs.
It is worth mentioning that a reverse mortgage comes with its closing costs and other hidden charges. For example, if you have an existing loan, then you have to clear it before accessing the funds, as there cannot be two mortgages at a time.
Also worth noting is the fact that you can now decide to pay off your loans early. However, such payment has a processing fee.
Handling a Reverse Mortgage Effectively
If you want to maintain possession of your home, then procuring a reverse mortgage is the right call. The catch to this financial option is that you are financially eligible to bear the cost of insurance, property taxes, and maintenance fee.
You have to be a permanent resident in your home until you repay the loan or decide to foreclose the property. The proceeds from such sales help to offset the loan. In a situation where it is insufficient, the lender will forgive you for the outstanding debt.
