If you are a homeowner age 62 or older and have paid off your mortgage or paid down a considerable amount, and are currently living in the home, you may participate in FHA’s Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program. The HECM is FHA’s reverse mortgage program that enables you to withdraw some of the equity in your home. You choose how you want to withdraw your funds, whether in a fixed monthly amount or a line of credit or a combination of both.
You can also use a HECM to purchase a primary residence if you are able to use cash on hand to pay the difference between the HECM proceeds and the sales price plus closing costs for the property you are purchasing.
How the Program Works
There are many factors to consider before deciding whether a Reverse Mortgage is right for you. To aid in this process, you must meet with a HUD Approved Reverse Mortgage counselor to discuss program eligibility requirements, financial implications and alternatives to obtaining a Reverse Mortgage and repaying the loan. Counselors will also discuss provisions for the mortgage becoming due and payable. Upon the completion of the Reverse Mortgage counseling, you should be able to make an independent, informed decision of whether this product will meet your specific needs. To find a Reverse Mortgage counselor please call 888-296-1180.
There are borrower and property eligibility requirements that must be met. If you meet the eligibility criteria, we will have you complete a reverse mortgage application, arrange for you to get a counselor. We will discuss other requirements of the Reverse Mortgage program, the loan approval process, and repayment terms.
Borrower Requirements
You must:
- Be 62 years of age or older
- Own the property outright or paid-down a considerable amount
- Occupy the property as your principal residence
- Not be delinquent on any federal debt
- Participate in a consumer information session given by a HUD- approved HECM counselor
Property Requirements
The following eligible property types must meet all FHA property standards and flood requirements:
- Single family home or 2-4 unit home with one unit occupied by the borrower
- HUD-approved condominium project
- Manufactured home that meets FHA requirements
Financial Requirements
Income, assets, monthly living expenses, and credit history may be verified. Timely payment of real estate taxes, hazard and flood insurance premiums may be verified.
Five Payment Plans to Choose From
- Tenure – equal monthly payments as long as at least one borrower lives and continues to occupy the property as a principal residence.
- Term – equal monthly payments for a fixed period of months selected.
- Line of Credit – unscheduled payments or in installments, at times and in an amount of your choosing until the line of credit is exhausted.
- Modified Tenure – combination of line of credit and scheduled monthly payments for as long as you remain in the home.
- Modified Term – combination of line of credit plus monthly payments for a fixed period of months selected by the borrower.
You can change your payment plan option for a fee of $20.
Mortgage Amount Based On
The amount you may borrower will depend on:
- Age of the youngest borrower
- Current interest rate
- Lesser of appraised value or the HECM FHA mortgage limit of $625,500 or the sales price; and
- Initial Mortgage Insurance Premium–your choices are HECM Standard or HECM SAVER
HECM Costs
You can pay for most of the costs of a HECM by financing them and having them paid from the proceeds of the loan. Financing the costs means that you do not have to pay for them out of your pocket. On the other hand, financing the costs reduces the net loan amount available to you.
The HECM loan includes several fees and charges, which includes: 1) mortgage insurance premiums (initial and annual) 2) third party charges 3) origination fee 4) interest and 5) servicing fees. We can discuss which fees and charges are mandatory.