FHA Reverse Mortgage
Convert Your Equity into Income
Established in 1934, The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offers mortgage insurance on loans through FHA-approved lenders. The FHA provides this coverage for single and multi-family homes, and other approved purchases. The FHA does not issue loans, but FHA mortgage insurance is quite attractive for a prospective lender.
The main reason for this is simple; FHA mortgage insurance protects the lender's investment should a homeowner default on the mortgage. Loans insured by the FHA feature low down payments, and costs for FHA mortgage insurance are built into the mortgage payment.
An FHA reverse mortgage is designed for homeowners age 62 and older. It allows the borrower to convert equity in the home into income or a line of credit. The FHA reverse mortgage loan is also known as a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), and is paid back when the homeowner no longer occupies the property.
There are requirements for an FHA-insured reverse mortgage or HECM;
- The loan is based on the age of the youngest borrower if there are co-signers.
- Homeowners are required to get consumer counseling and education before a HECM loan is approved.
- Borrowers must own and live on the property as the primary residence.
Unlike other FHA loans, there are no income or credit qualifications for this type of loan. You will be required to have a current appraisal on the property as the amount of an FHA reverse mortgage is based on the home's value or the FHA insurance limit, whichever is lower. The FHA reverse mortgage;
- Is a loan based on current interest rates.
- Allows closing costs to be financed in the reverse mortgage.
- Is for single-family homes or up to a four-unit home, but must be occupied by the borrower.
- Is also permitted for FHA-approved condominiums and manufactured homes.
FHA reverse mortgages or HECM loans require the home to conform to FHA property standards and flood requirements. The FHA reverse mortgage has a variety ways the borrower can receive the money including monthly payments, a line of credit, or combinations of payments and credit. The borrower does not pay on these loans until the house is sold. The loan is repaid from the proceeds of the property sale including interest. Any remaining equity in the home after the loan has been repaid belongs to the homeowner.
If there is not enough money from the sale of the home to repay the loan in full, FHA insurance is used to pay the difference. If you need further clarification of the details of an FHA reverse mortgage, ask your loan officer to explain before you sign.
FHA Refinance Options for Homeowners
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FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News
June 18, 2021 - When exploring home loan options, some borrowers want a loan that has the lowest upfront costs possible. This makes sense if money is tight, or when a borrower has goals for their money and a down payment would hurt those plans.
June 10, 2021 - There are several FHA loan options available when it is time to refinance a home loan. Two of those are FHA cash-out refinancing and FHA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance loans. How do these two refinance options compare and which should you choose?
May 9, 2021 - What kind of documentation does a typical borrower need to provide to the lender when applying for an FHA mortgage or refinance loan? There are some rules to be aware of when gathering your paperwork--do you know what they are?
May 6, 2021 - Many Americans have needed foreclosure avoidance measures due to economic hardship brought on by the global pandemic. The FHA and HUD have announced many steps to help homeowners with FHA mortgages keep their home.
April 14, 2021 - Which refi is the best for your needs? That’s the first question to ask about refinancing. You can select Cash-Out refinancing, FHA Streamline refi loans are for people who need a lower mortgage rate or lower payment, or FHA 203(k) Rehabilitation refinance loans .
