One of the most compelling loan products for seniors in today's market is the reverse mortgage. In a reverse mortgage, borrowers over sixty can borrow on the value and equity built up in their home without incurring a monthly payment. In fact, there is no payment until the death of the customer, the sale of the house or the movement of the customer to a new primary residence.
No Free Ride
However, if you are interested in one of these loans you need understand the disadvantages of getting a reverse mortgage. While the owner will experience an influx of cash, this might not be a good thing. First of all, if one is eligible for benefits such as Medicaid, this money may disqualify a person. Because of the rise in healthcare costs in the senior years much of the windfall, may eventually go to unintended places such as hospital bills. Still, some lending institutions offer several payout plans beside lump sums. This could be monthly stipends or annuity and could help in easing those income restrictions.
Another of the disadvantages of a reverse mortgage is that the closing costs up front are significantly higher than a traditional second mortgage or home equity loan. This means that if you know that you are moving shortly, say in the next five years, the costs disadvantages of a reverse mortgage may not be worth the risk. It is probably best if a person is thinking of being in their home less than five more years that they seek alternative financing to a reverse mortgage.
Still another of the disadvantages of a reverse mortgage is the fact that while monthly payments are eliminated and there is no income level to qualify, interest is still accruing. If a person remains in their home for a significant amount of time, the return from selling the home may be less than desirable and theoretically could leave some left on the amount borrowed because of the interest meaning that the seller may still owe some on the reverse mortgage.
Directly related to this last pitfall, one of the biggest disadvantages of a reverse mortgage could be for one’s heirs. Paying back the loan with interest will definitely decrease the inheritance one may want to leave behind for their children and grandchildren. One way around this is if the heir moves into the home and refinances. This way, the house will continue to gain equity and over the long run produce a good dividend for the heir.
Anytime one takes on a loan one should take all the risk factors into consideration. One considering a reverse mortgage must ask some hard questions. How is my health? Will it benefit me to take this out particularly if my health is poor? The reverse mortgage is not for every senior. Customers should weigh all the options before assuming any kind of debt. In this case, you could end up affecting more than yourself.