Facts on Reverse Mortgages
- A reverse mortgage loan is not paid monthly by the borrower. Instead, the borrower is paid by the bank, whether in an upfront cash advance, monthly cash advances or a credit-line extension.
- To be eligible, the borrower must be at least 62 years old. He must own his home outright or have a very low mortgage balance, and it must be his primary residence.
- A reverse mortgage loan does not need to be repaid until the borrower sells the home, leaves the home permanently or dies.
- Because approval is based on the home's value and the age of the borrower, no minimum income is required to qualify.
- Because the borrower is not making monthly payments, as long as insurance and tax payments are kept current, the borrower cannot lose her home.
- A reverse mortgage is a large commitment that requires careful consideration. Borrowers should consider every option, especially because fees and interest rates can be high.