The Advantages of Reverse Mortgages
Charles Kirkendall
In recent years property values have soared, while investment returns have been modest. This has created a situation where a lot of seniors are finding themselves in the position of being house rich and cash poor. These cash strapped seniors are looking for ways to increase their retirement income while continuing to live in their homes. These retirees find that their options are limited, and in most cases require them to risk their home. Enter the reverse mortgage, which can provide many advantages over these other less desirable options.
No Payments With Reverse Mortgages
The biggest advantage of a reverse mortgages is not having to make payments as long as you continue living in your home. In fact, this is the number one reason that seniors choose to borrow reverse mortgages. Almost 80% of reverse mortgage borrowers use a reverse mortgage to pay off their current loans in order to eliminate their house payments. Let's say you owe $50,000 on your first mortgage and borrow $80,000 with a reverse mortgage. This would pay off and eliminate the payment on the first mortgage and provide you with $30,000 to use as you please.
Live in Your Home as Long as You Like
The second advantage of reverse mortgages is the ability to live in your house as long as you like. The great thing about this is the amount you owe on the reverse mortgage can never be more than the house is worth. Let's say you live to 115 and have selected to recieve a $300 a month payments for life from the reverse mortgage. The amount received from the reverse mortgage payments could be substantially higher than the value of your home, yet the amount owed will still only be the value of the home. In this situation, FHA insurance will cover the difference.
Reverse Mortgage Withdrawal Options
Another advantage of reverse mortgages is the different withdrawal options that a you are able to choose. These options include lump sum distributions, line of credit, monthly payments, or any combination of these three. So if you were eligible to borrow $100,000 on a reverse mortgage you could select to receive $30,000 up front to cover current expenses, and hold the rest as a line of credit that you can use whenever you need it. This flexibility of reverse mortgages can significantly improve you financial independence during retirement.
Tax-Free Nature of Reverse Mortgages
Another advantage of reverse mortgage is the tax-free nature of the loan proceeds. The American Bar Association guide to reverse mortgages advises that generally the IRS does not consider loan advances to be income. This means that all the money from the proceeds of the reverse mortgage end up in your pocket.
With these features, reverse mortgage are definitely an option to consider if you are looking for ways to supplement your current income. As with any financial decision, you should seek the advice of a trained professional, a reverse mortgage counselor, to evaluate and determine if a reverse mortgage is right for your situation.
About the author:
About the Author: Charles Kirkendall writes about reverse mortgages and other senior financial issues. Visit reverse mortgages for more information and resources.
The latest information and news on Mortgages:
Mortgage rates hit low of 4.54 percent
Mortgage rates are the most affordable in decades for those who can qualify for a loan.
Mortgage rates hit low of 4.54 pct.
Mortgage rates dropped to the lowest level on record for the fifth time in six weeks, making homebuying and refinancing the most attractive in decades for those who can get loans.
Mortgage Rates Fall Again; 30-Year Fixed At 4.54% - Freddie
Mortgage Rates Fall Again; 30-Year Fixed At 4.54% - Freddie
Mortgage brokers to be fingerprinted, registered
Mortgage loan originators will have to be fingerprinted and sign up to a central registry to do business in future, according to new rules issued by the Federal Reserve and other regulators. Mortgage - Business - Mortgage broker - Federal Reserve System - Financial Services
Mortgage rates hit low of 4.54 percent
Mortgage rates are the most affordable in decades for those who can qualify for a loan. For many, the opportunity to buy a home or refinance at this time is lost because of the tough economy and tight credit standards. But those who have secure jobs, superior... Mortgage - Loan - Refinancing - Unite...
Yahoo! News Search Results for refinance
Russia's Sberbank to refinance RusAl's credit to VEB
Russia's top bank, state-controlled Sberbank, will fully refinance a $4.5 billion loan, which Russia's state development bank Vnesheconombank (VEB) issued to RusAl, the world's largest aluminum producer in the midst of the financial crisis, VEB head Vladimir Dmitriyev said on Wednesday.
Centro to refinance US arm's debt
SHARES in Centro Properties Group rose on news it will refinance and extend the debt of its US business in the midst of restructuring.
Development authority moves to refinance Riverview loan
The Butts County Industrial Development Authority has decided to refinance its loan on the Riverview Business Park property in southern Butts and northern Lamar counties, despite losing its eligibility for a low interest rate.
Pasco School Board to refinance bonds
The Pasco School Board agreed Tuesday to refinance bonds from 2001 and 2003, a move that's expe
7 reasons why you should refinance
A refinance can make sense for many reasons, from getting a lower rate to consolidating debt.