This white paper was primarily created to teach and educate accountants, attorneys, financial planners and insurance advisors about an exciting “new” financial program that is so powerful, it is changing the lives of our senior citizens. This white paper will also be helpful to lay members of the public. This white paper is limited in its scope. I designed it to give you a “feel” for the program, while arming you with the salient fundamentals. It does not cover all the reverse mortgage terms and concepts. This white paper does include changes that have and will occur with the passage of the Housing & Economic Recovery Act 2008 (HERA).
The number of seniors who are using this program is increasing each year. In the not-too-distant future, more of the major financial institutions will be offering this program. Another purpose of this white paper is to provide advisors with an additional solution to help them differentiate themselves in the marketplace, while providing the best advice possible to the client.
Likewise, you must also become the sentinel for your client. The reverse mortgage industry is changing - as many who were involved in the Alt-A and sub-prime debacle are looking for another revenue stream and have entered this market. The key to a successful closing is to ensure that your client hires a very competent and caring reverse mortgage professional. As you undoubtedly know, not all reverse mortgage companies are the same.
This white paper will help readers understand this country’s shifting senior demographics. It will also permit advisors to show senior clients how they can unlock home wealth while still living in their homes for life.
This white paper will enable advisors to be among the first in their community to talk to clients about a program many advisors heretofore have ignored. Should advisors continue to ignore it, they will do so at their own financial detriment and potentially leave themselves open to E&O or malpractice suits. Today, seniors want to know about all their financial options.
REVERSE MORTGAGES
Introduction
This white paper will focus on what a reverse mortgage is, how it works, why it works and why it should be considered for many clients over the age of 62. This material will compare the various reverse mortgage programs to each other. The focus however, will be on the government insured FHA/HECM program. This program had represented over 90% of all reverse mortgage loans obtained. However, with the demise of the proprietary programs, it now represents 100% of all reverse mortgages done.
Proceeds from reverse mortgages can act as an emergency investment vehicle, an estate planning device or a retirement facilitator. In order to begin a discussion on this topic it will help to have a good definition of just what it is.
What is a reverse mortgage?
A reverse mortgage is a special and different kind of loan that is easy to obtain if you are at least 62 years of age and own your own home(1-4unit), condo (PUD) or co-op ( Co-op units were done only in a few jurisdictions with these proprietary programs. The mortgage debacle has effectively eliminated them. It is expected that once the secondary market regains it appetite for mortgage securitization, these proprietary programs will flourish). However, HUD will implement the HECM co-op program sometime in 2009)). A reverse mortgage converts a portion of the value (equity) of a home into instant cash. The pool of money that is created by a reverse mortgage can be received by a senior homeowner(s) in a variety of ways.
One of the key aspects to a reverse mortgage is that the client is NOT required to pay monthly mortgage payments. (The borrower can make voluntary payments should he/she desire). A reverse mortgage loan is non-recourse. (HUD recently clarified its meaning of non-recourse with Mortgagee Letter 2008-38). The home serves as collateral just as with any loan.
One other key feature to a reverse mortgage is that there are no income, asset or credit requirements to obtain the loan. That means you could have a client that has poor credit, no income and no other assets besides a home with equity and the client could still obtain a reverse mortgage.
The concept of reverse mortgages is easy to understand once properly explained. Have your client’s picture themselves shaking hands with their home. “I’ve taken care of you all these years,” they say. The home replies, “It is now my turn to take care of you.” This is the essence of the program. The home is simply returning its love.
Who can use reverse mortgage?
Age “62” is one of a few “magic numbers” you will see in this material. Each homeowner must be at least 62. If one spouse is 62 and one is not, then the “couple” can not obtain such a loan.
On the other hand, should the younger spouse come off title, then this reverse mortgage borrower can proceed. However, his wife would still have to be counseled (I will cover counseling later) and will usually have to sign a disclosure form. Pay close attention to the following example:
Let’s take a case where the husband and wife are 68 and 60 respectively and each owns the home. Subsequently the wife was taken off title. If the husband dies first, the reverse mortgage loan will become due and payable. (Remember, in order to get this reverse mortgage, the 60 year old spouse has to agree to be taken off the deed. Also remember, when 2 or more people of reverse mortgage age own the home, the loan becomes due upon the death of the survivor. Other maturity events include sale of the home and when the home is no longer the primary residence of any of the borrowers.
This maturity event could be bad news for the above non-borrowing spouse if her intent was to remain in the home, after the passing of her husband. (The maturity event could be manageable if the husband had a life insurance policy with a large enough death benefit, which is usually not the case).
Home ownership can be accomplished in a variety of ways. A home that is a primary residence can be owned in severalty (individually), jointly, in trust or with a life estate. If one sets up a revocable trust, a reverse mortgage can still be an option provided the beneficiaries are the seniors. The children can be beneficiaries upon the death of the surviving parent. Title to the property must be in the trustees and the trustees do not have to be the borrowers (seniors). The trust will be amended at closing to permit the reverse mortgage.
An irrevocable trust on the other hand is more troublesome. Typically, such a trust is created as an asset protection device or estate transfer tool. Whenever such a trust is used, it precludes the senior from accessing the corpus (assets) of the trust. At the time of this writing, HUD and FNMA have not changed their inappropriate (my view) position.
The amount of money that can be created or manufactured (as a salesman would say) from a reverse mortgage is dependent upon three things:
1. The age (of the youngest borrower).
2. The value of the home (up to a certain limit for HECM programs).
3. The expected interest rate.
It is important to note that the older the youngest borrower is, the greater the benefit amount will be. This means that a 72 year old will receive more than a 62 year old. Because it is important to compare apples to apples, this assumes that both the maximum claim amount and the expected interest rate are the same for each. (The maximum claim amount is the lesser of the appraised value or the FHA/HECM lending limit. Pursuant to HERA, there is now a national limit. HUD, recently issued a Mortgagee Letter (2008-35) pegging the National Limit at $417,000. There are separate higher limits in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Virgin Islands.
The pool of money that is created from a reverse mortgage can be received in a variety of ways. (The proprietary programs were more restrictive than the HECM and Home Keeper programs. The Home Keeper program originally was introduced in 1996 by FNMA and eliminated in 2008. The defining feature of this program was that one could purchase a home with a reverse mortgage. Now that HERA permitted FHA to create the same reverse mortgage purchase program, the Home Keeper became expendable. Because the Home Keeper program was very conservative, the benefit amounts under the HECM were significantly greater.) The FHA/HECM program provides the most options. The options include a lump sum, initial advance, monthly payment (term or tenure), line of credit or a combination of same.
One of the key things that sets a reverse mortgage apart from any other kind of loan is that its is a non recourse loan. There is no personal liability to the borrower, their estate or to their heirs upon an arms length transaction sale.
Let’s look at a worst case scenario. Let us assume for a moment that the surviving borrower passed away. The amount that is now due is greater than the value of the home. The estate receives $300,000 from the sale of the home. Let us also assume that the amount due on the loan is $350,000. The difference of $50,000 does not become a liability of the estate.
Another key thing that makes a reverse mortgage loan special and different is that monthly mortgage payments are not required. Interest and servicing fees accrue over time. This means as with any negative amortization loan, that the amount that becomes due will be always increasing, while the equity decreases.
Harnessing the power of reverse mortgages
A reverse mortgage is nothing short of a life changing event for many clients. The look on the face of our clients tells the whole story. For some, the weight of the world has been lifted from their shoulders. They are ready to take on the world again. Many of our senior clients did not make the best investing nor financial decisions throughout their earning years. Their need for immediate money has been satisfied with this program. They get the best of both worlds: Transforming their equity into cash AND they can still stay in their home.
Preliminary observations
Many of our clients have told us straight out that they never expected to live as long as they have. As a population, we are living longer. The birth rate as a percentage of the population has been down for many years. It is estimated that over the next 16 years the over 50 population will grow by 74%, while the under 50 population will grow by a small fraction of that amount. No state currently has a senior population greater than 20%. In 20 years, thirty states will.
Medicare has done wonderful things. It has kept a substantial number of people out of poverty. Its goal of protecting our older citizens from facing catastrophic medical bills has not been fully realized. Medicare is the government’s answer to health care insurance. Because it is insurance, the government pays only a portion of a claimant’s bill. Each insured is responsible for the yearly deductible and daily co insurance under Part A and the remaining 20 percent of the doctor bills under Part B.
It is important for individuals to purchase private health coverage for the part that the government does not pick up. Medicare’s payment to the hospitals is diagnosis based. This means that the hospital gets paid the same if the patient is in the hospital two or seven days. There is a great incentive for hospitals to discharge patients as quickly as possible. The need for long term care becomes critical. Also Medicare Part D’s doughnut hole becomes catastrophic for many.
Question: How does this become affordable for clients who live only on their social security and or a modest pension benefit?
Many seniors believed that the stock market was infallible; that real estate values only went up. They were wrong. Many of our clients have lost a significant amount of their portfolio. They do not like the insecure feeling that comes along with their error in judgment, but are now forced to deal with the reality that their “nest egg” is not big enough. Pensions are also disappearing.
Many of the clients that we see have never considered financial and/or estate planning. Tremendous opportunities abound for those that see that there is a tremendous opportunity to help our seniors. In order to do that, you must understand the market. Understanding reverse mortgages and how they can help your older clients meet their “living” needs becomes very important. Purchasing life insurance and annuities may make sense in very limited situations. Too many seniors have fallen prey to annuity/insurance salesmen who know that a senior has money to spend from reverse mortgage proceeds. (HERA now prohibits this practice.)
Brutal facts of reality
I have worked with many seniors who live in “big” homes with little savings. While the client has no or little debt on their house, many still have trouble paying their monthly bills. They are unable to realize their life’s hopes and dreams due to a lack of money. So whether we are talking about a client living in a $150,000, $200,000 or $400,000 home or a client living in a home valued at greater than a million dollars, a reverse mortgage, at one point could satisfy these diverse needs. There were special proprietary programs specifically created for those that live in high value homes. I’ll touch on these programs in a few moments. As noted earlier, the mortgage debacle has decimated these proprietary programs. The secondary markets do not want to purchase them as long as home values continue their precipitous decline.
Question: What financial program can ameliorate years of wrong financial decision making?
Reverse mortgage benefits
In just a few pages we covered a wide area. Let us take a moment to recap the key benefits of this unique program.
Senior borrowers are never required to make monthly mortgage payments to their reverse mortgage lender. In fact the opposite is true. The senior will have a choice as to how they will RECEIVE their funds. These borrowers will always remain the owner of the home. The senior borrowers can use the money any way they like. The use of funds is limited by the creativity of the borrowers. This important economic weapon will allow seniors all over the country to realize their hopes and dreams.
The three basic reverse mortgage plans- A History
There were three basic types of reverse mortgage programs. The model program upon which the others are based was created and authorized by Congress in 1987. This is the FHA or HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage) or HUD Reverse Mortgage. All three designations refer to the same government (federal) insured loan program. Prior to the elimination of the proprietary programs, this program comprised over 90% of all reverse mortgages closed.
The HECM loan comes in 2 basic varieties: Fixed rate and adjustable. (One year CMT index has been the only index used for the monthly and yearly adjustable, until recently). As noted, the adjustable rate program can adjust monthly or yearly. Each HECM plan has 2 different types of interest rates. Each interest rate has a different function.
Think of the initial interest rate as the typical note rate. This rate whether adjustable or fixed will help determine what amount will have to get paid back when the loan matures.
The expected interest rate, on the other hand, has one function only - to help determine how much money a senior can receive. The monthly adjustable will usually provide a senior with a greater principal limit (benefit amount) than the yearly adjustable. ( I expect at some point that the margin on the yearly adjustable will be increased). This is because the margin on the yearly adjustable has historically been higher than the margin on the monthly adjustable. However, if current market forces persist, the opposite will soon be true. HECM lenders are currently using CMT margins approaching 3.00%. The LIBOR margins are also approaching 3%.
Margins are important. Margins affect the note rate and the expected interest rate. The higher the expected interest rate becomes the lower the reverse mortgage proceeds become. This is the general rule that will always apply, except when the expected interest rate falls below the HECM floor rate of 5.5%. As long as the expected rate is below the floor, the benefit amounts will not continue to increase.
2007 also brought a cataclysmic change to the margin that was used on the monthly adjustable. Since the inception of the program in 1989, the margin was always 1.5%. As of January 2007, the margin was lowered to1%. This new margin lowered the note rate and the expected interest rate by fifty basis points. This one adjustment put between $10,000 to $25,000 into the pockets of our seniors (depending on age). Interest on the amount taken accrues at a lower rate: Definitely a win/ win situation
However, with the debacle in the ALT-A and sub-prime markets, Wall Street has become somewhat bemused by the CMT(Constant Maturity Treasury) index and this lower margin and have discouraged its use. The clarion call is for a new reverse mortgage index based on the LIBOR (London Inter Bank Offered Rate). Accordingly, the HECM/CMT 100, 150, 175, 200, 225, and 250 no longer exist. It is expected within due time that all indices based on the CMT will expire in favor of LIBOR. Today, the monthly adjustable is compatible w/ higher CMT margins and variety of LIBOR margins as well. Only time will tell how this will ultimately play out. Margins likely will continue to rise.
The fixed rate program is relatively new and was introduced in 2007. The borrower is required to take all the money in one lump sum. While technically, they can choose to take the money monthly, etc., the interest rate is much higher if any option other than the full draw is chosen. I suspect that in the future this program will be further modified. For the time being, it makes sense to choose this program, if the amount of the existing lien comprises a significant part of the benefit amount and you have a serious aversion to the rate adjusting monthly.
In 1996 Fannie Mae came out with their HomeKeeper reverse mortgage program. The unique feature, until recently was the program could be used to purchase a home. The HomeKeeper program does not have a term payout or a growth factor in their line of credit, like the HECM does. (As mentioned above, this product was recently discontinued by FNMA).
Finally in 2001, Lehman Bros. developed the first proprietary reverse mortgage program. Many advisors call it the “Jumbo” reverse mortgage program. It is for high value homes and provides more benefits than the HECM or HomeKeeper programs. Prior to the mortgage debacle, the proprietary programs were evolving toward providing lower interest rates and higher benefit amounts. However, there has been a retrenchment in this area due to the fact that Wall Street has no appetite for Jumbo loans of any kind. I also expect many of the reverse mortgage wholesalers to re-introduce their proprietary programs. As the markets improve, I expect to see the program features improve as well.
Additional changes
The FHA modernization Act, which became part of HERA, changes the FHA/HECM program in radical ways:
· It lowers and caps the origination fees;
· permits the FHA reverse mortgage program to include co-op apartments;
· allows purchase transactions;
· provides a National Loan Limit, (which HUD promulgated per Mortgagee Letter(2008-35) to be $417,00).
· Eliminates the HECM Advisor Program
· Prohibits cross selling of financial products, including annuities
The latest stimulus package contains a provision that would be good through 2009 only. That provision provides a new lending limit of $625,000. This will result in an increase in the benefit amount. It will be interesting to see what happens in congress.
Reverse mortgage are here to stay
Reverse mortgages are here to stay because they fulfill pressing needs: Expenses (especially health care and long-term care) are increasing at a rather alarming pace and most seniors did not expect the longevity train to take them for a ride. Additionally, because most basic financial and estate planning has likewise been ignored by out clients, there must continue to be a way to use a portion of the equity remaining in the home.
The numbers tell a rather compelling story: The last U.S. Census (2000) indicated that there were 35 million people 65 years old and over in this country. That number is expected to double in the next 25 years. At that time there will be 70 million people that have reached their 65th birthday. However, the explosive growth in the senior market place is occurring in the 85-and-over age bracket. The 2000 census told us that there were 4 million seniors 85 and over. It is estimated by 2050 that the number will increase to 20,000,000. That is an astounding projection.
Let’s take a quick look at the effect that an aging population can have on a family. Consider this: 85% of seniors that are 65 and over will have 1 chronic illness. 30% over 85 will have 3 chronic illnesses! 10% of those that reach 65 will suffer from Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia. This number will increase to almost 50% when one reaches 85. Take into account that Medicare will not pay for custodial care and will only pay for 100 days of skilled nursing care per benefit period. It will cover 100% for the first twenty days. From day 21-100 it will not cover the daily co-insurance amount. This amount alone could grow to over $8,000. Seniors are wrong to believe that their government will pick up the total cost for their skilled nursing care.
The financial and emotional toll of aging can cause havoc within the family unit. Children who have children of their own have the added financial and sometimes physical burden in meeting the needs of the parent. Children are forced to become caregivers because funds are scarce. About 20% of family caregivers spend 40 hours per week caring for their loved ones. Sometimes children will sacrifice promotions at work, or may have to quit their job to care for a parent(s). It is not unusual for a child to suffer from burnout soon after taking on this responsibility. If another sibling is not available to lend a hand or respite care is not available, it is a recipe for disaster. Many of the Baby Boomers will spend more time providing eldercare than child care. The devastation in the housing markets in particular and on the economy in general has made the prospects even more dire and contentious.
Question: How can parents regain their independence and release their children to live their lives?
July 1983 marked a watershed moment in our history. It was the first time ever that the number of seniors exceeded the number of teenagers. In 1900 1 in every 25 person reached their 65th birthday. That number is now just less than 1 in 8.
Why a reverse mortgage works
It works because we are dealing with an asset (the home) that has carried the load of appreciating over the years. Now, after growing in value the home is going to return its love to the owner. Part of the value of the home is paying most of the closing costs of a reverse mortgage. Even though this country is experiencing a decline in home values, it may not affect the amount a senior can receive, if the current value is still above the FHA/HECM national loan limit. We will cover this in more detail as we proceed. There is another bill in Congress that will temporarily increase the FHA limit to $625,000.
Moving in Reverse
In the past, many seniors have been told to sell their homes and/or to go to their neighborhood bank to get a conventional mortgage. Let’s review how these options played out.
When an elderly client has sold their home ,even when everything went well, it is not a pretty picture. The emotional toll on a senior also needs to be considered. AARP, survey after survey, says that a majority of our elders do not want to move. They want to stay in their homes. Their goal is to stay in the environment that contains much of their family and personal history. Usually they want to remain in an area that is familiar. The house is the story of their life.
After the home is sold, one then has to find a place to live. Usually a smaller home will cost more than the home they just sold. A sale often becomes financially impractical. Leasing new quarters also creates anxiety because the senior is compelled to give away or sell the place that stores so many of their precious memories .
Typically when one applies for a mortgage, income, assets and credit are reviewed. Front end and back end ratios are determined. Credit scores are reviewed. It used to be that one had to earn the right to get a loan.
Because banks had rather “cheap” money,(this overheated the markets) they needed to get this money onto the street. Investors, with the acquiescence of the rating agencies created imaginative programs with loose underwriting guidelines. This resulted in giving seniors obscene amounts of money that could in reality never be paid back. The recent meltdown in the Alt-A and sub-prime mortgage markets tell a rather compelling story.
Too many seniors received loans they should never have received. Sadly, the mortgage cash register was racking up so many easy “sales” no one wanted to see what was really happening. Imagine, being 70, 80 or older and owning a home with a $300,000 value and having an unpaid mortgage balance of say $270,000. The senior would use a portion of the proceeds to make their monthly payments.
When this money runs out, the senior borrower who thought he/she was making a wise decision will in fact be facing foreclosure. This is certainly not what they bargained for. Now that they are in a financial quagmire, the thought only now becomes, “Hey what about that reverse mortgage”? Sometimes, the mortgage balance is so high that even the reverse mortgage cannot save them. There are hundreds of thousands of seniors that are either behind in their mortgage or facing foreclosure.
Today, these options have all but evaporated. The millions of homes on the market, along with the malfunction of our banking system, has forced many seniors to consider a reverse mortgage.
Question What is a client to do if they don’t want to sell or can’t or chose not to obtain a conventional mortgage?
Risk reversal
This concept is not spoken about enough. A reverse mortgage is 100 percent risk free. First, no document requires that a borrower continue the process if they subsequently have a change of mind. Second, every reverse mortgage has a counseling component. The purpose of the independent counseling is to insure that every senior understands the concept and is not coerced into obtaining same. A reverse mortgage applicant must attend or receive reverse mortgage counseling from an approved (HUD) counseling entity or from the AARP Foundation Network of Counselors, which includes Money Management International and the National Foundation of Credit Counselors before the closing can occur on the FHA/HECM loan. For non-FHA/HECM loans, (before the proprietary programs became extinct) counseling is also required. HERA now requires that that the borrower pay for counseling. The lender can no longer make the payment.
Counseling is a good thing as it provides the seniors with additional information as well as possible alternatives to their situation. It insures that the seniors are making an informed decision. As a further protective measure, a lender cannot start the actual processing of an FHA/HECM loan until the counseling has been completed. The one exception is that a preliminary title report can be ordered. However, the application and disclosures can be signed prior to the client receiving the counseling.
Third, federal law provides that even after signing the closing documents, every senior has three days to reconsider. If at that time they change their minds, then any funds that they paid out must be returned. This is the right of rescission. (Regulation Z 12CFR 226.23)
A Brief Review –
Considering the advantages & disadvantages
The following is worth repeating. A reverse mortgage is a special kind of loan. It is special because the senior who is at least 62 years of age never has to make monthly mortgage payments.
It is special because all reverse mortgage loans are non recourse loans. This means that there is no personal liability, when there is an arm’s length transaction. If the amount that eventually becomes due is greater than the value of the house (assume that the home depreciated in value during the term of the reverse mortgage) then the most the bank can receive is the value. This is an incredible feature. Compare this to the loan that you have on your home now. If the same scenario happened, your bank would sue you personally for the difference. This could never happen with a reverse mortgage.
It is special because it frees up a portion of the value that a senior can convert into cash. It provides a senior with a wonderful way to reach this equity without selling and without obtaining a loan that they have to make monthly payments on. Many surveys indicate that a majority of seniors prefer to remain in their homes.
It is a special loan because it can become a life saver for both the children and the parents. Over two billion dollars a month is spent in this country by children who are financially helping mom and or dad. Many cannot do it anymore. The adult children have to put money away for their own retirement and for the college education of their own children. The current economic conditions make it harder for the children to lend a hand.
The parents, on the other hand, by obtaining a reverse mortgage, have reclaimed their independence and their dignity. In essence, the reverse mortgage transfigures the strained relationship between parent and child into an emotional loving relationship free from “required” financial obligations.
It is special because our seniors can receive the proceeds in a variety of ways. They can receive money each month, take a lump sum, a partial lump sum or put the money in a reverse mortgage line of credit. Once they make a choice, they can always change their minds. They are never locked in to a particular way to receive their money.
Some professionals today still echo the negative refrain of their colleagues of years ago. Seniors will be told not to go through with the reverse mortgage because it is a scam. Yes a reverse mortgage is different. It certainly is not a scam. The government is insuring these loans (FHA/HECM).
Some professionals today are saying that the closing costs are too high; therefore do not get it. Although the costs are high due to the ever increasing mortgage insurance premium that goes directly to HUD, many experts believe that a mistake is being made when the program benefits are summarily ignored.
The fact that the closing costs are finance is also ignored. Anyone can tell a client what the closing costs will be by reviewing the Good Faith Estimate. But only the client can say what the reverse mortgage is worth to him/her. Too many look at the costs and stop their investigation. A reverse mortgage is not one dimensional. Both the positives and the negatives must be considered.
On top of all this, the government (FHA) is assuring and insuring every senior that they will receive every penny they are due, even if the lender goes out of business. In other words, they do not have to worry about their bank closing their doors. This is very reassuring, especially in this mortgage environment. So if you focus upon the closing costs only you will be missing the bigger more important picture.
Some professionals today are saying that the monthly payments are not indexed for inflation. Therefore don’t get a reverse mortgage. While the individual payments are not automatically indexed for inflation, it must be noted that the principal limit and the line of credit contain a growth factor that provides much more money over the life of the loan than the amount noted in the net principle limit. You will never find this feature in any other kind of loan product.
If you obtained a home equity line of credit from your neighborhood bank for $100,000 that you did not access for 2 years how much would your line of credit be worth after this 2 year period? The answer is the same $100,000. Your line of credit would not grow. However, a reverse mortgage line of credit would be worth much more than $100,000 under this scenario. In actuality, the credit limit is increasing.
. For example, with the FHA/HECM program, the client’s line of credit will grow by at least 50 basis points above the current interest. This assumes the client took a loan with a line of credit instead of the lump sum.
Some professionals today are saying that a reverse mortgage is a bad idea because the parent can not leave the home mortgage free to their children. Sometimes the parent(s) makes the same argument. In this case, all one can do is walk away. A parent will not obtain a reverse mortgage when they feel it is their obligation to leave their major asset to their children. On the other hand, many parents believe that the home is the only financial vehicle that will protect them from their current financial storm.
Just like the 30 year mortgage changed the financial life for many of our ancestors, the reverse mortgage is doing the same for our seniors. In fact, the amount of seniors obtaining this financing is growing each year. There are now competing reverse mortgage programs. On the other hand the FHA/HECM program is providing relatively high benefit amounts while maintaining low interest rates.
Rumors your client will be told
This section is very important. Once your client leaves your office, he or she will call a friend or a family member to tell that person about the decision to get a reverse mortgage. This is when the client will be told about all the reasons not to go forward. Most of the things your client will be told will be incorrect. This section will point out the more salient misconceptions and rumors that will be repeated. Like anything that gets repeated, people believe what they hear. So this is an attempt to clear up these misconceptions once and for all:
RUMOR: Your client will be told that they have to make monthly mortgage payments.
TRUTH: They will never ever make monthly mortgage payments.
RUMOR: Your client will be told that the bank will own the house.
TRUTH: Your client will continue to own the house. The bank will never own the home while the client is living.
RUMOR: Your client will be told that their heirs could become responsible for paying this loan back.
TRUTH: It is a non recourse loan. There is no personal responsibility for the borrower, their estate or for their heirs.
RUMOR: The loan is due and payable when the first borrower dies.
TRUTH: The loan is not due and payable until the last surviving borrower dies, sells the home or is not using the residence for 365 consecutive days. The loan must be paid in full when the youngest borrower reaches their 150th birthday. Yes this is actually in the mortgage docs.
RUMOR: Reverse mortgages are only for seniors that are poor.
TRUTH: Seniors from every economic stratum and from all walks of life are taking advantage of the benefits offered by a reverse mortgage. Client ranges from owns that own modest size homes to those clients that own multi million dollar homes.
RUMOR: A senior must enjoy good health to qualify for a reverse mortgage.
TRUTH: This is wrong. Unlike long term care insurance, reverse mortgages are not medically underwritten. One of the most pressing issues and questions facing our growing senior population is how to effectively finance the out of control costs of long term care. These proceeds can be used either as a sole payment source for an aide or as a supplement to the hours received for home care benefits through Medicaid. Taking into account all the reverse mortgage variables, a senior may very well be able to live their final years at home and avoid nursing home placement. This allows seniors to maintain their independence and their dignity and control over their long term care. In New York, the proceeds from a reverse mortgage are not a countable resource for Medicaid purpose.
RUMOR: Closing costs are way too expensive.
TRUTH: The numbers do not tell the whole story. While the actual closing costs figures may be a little higher than the typical FHA program closing costs, it is important to remember that they can be financed. The main reason for the higher costs is that the HECM requires mortgage insurance in an amount of 2% while the typical FHA program requires mortgage insurance in the amount of 1.5%. Also do not forget that with a reverse mortgage, the pool of money created is paid to the borrower without requiring monthly payments and without personal liability. If you were to compare these fees with the cost of selling, taking into account the broker’s commission, a reverse mortgage is a great savings and your client gets to stay in their home. Even if the closing costs are not as low as your client would like them to be, the benefits will usually outweigh the initial costs. Some believe that the reverse mortgage is the greatest deal on earth. Others believe that it is a rip off. Only you can make the call.
Conclusion
A reverse mortgage is the only way your clients can turn their home equity into cash while staying in the home that they love; and while not having to pay a current interest payment on the loan. A reverse mortgage often is a lifesaver for both families. We discussed in detail the sacrifices the adult children are making on behalf of their parents and in-laws. The reverse mortgage could prevent the emotional family volcano from exploding. The parents hate having to go to their kids asking for money. The parents, by obtaining the reverse mortgage, have reclaimed their independence and their dignity, while the adult children can now focus upon their family needs. If you wish to get a sense of just how much your clients can realize from a reverse mortgage have the following information: Age (or date of birth) of each borrower; Value of home; zip code; and outstanding mortgages and liens. Then go to http://nrmla.edthosting.com to use the reverse mortgage calculator. These calculations are ball park. Remember that reverse mortgage originators use proprietary software. It is also advisable to contact a competent reverse mortgage originator in your area. (Only such an individual will have access to proprietary or private brand programs for high value homes).
Because we are living longer, we must be prepared for the unique challenges all of us will eventually face. We are probably past the time for depending on the government to take care of us. It is a time for becoming proactive. Beginning in the year 2012, 10,000 Americans per day will be turning 65. In the good old days one got old, sick and died. That is no longer happening. There is a new life paradigm. We grow old, get sick and survive….for many years.
A National Council on Aging study shows that reverse mortgages will keep millions of our seniors in their homes. Not only will it free up funds for home care but will allow millions of our elders to make needed improvements to the home. This will enable seniors to stay in the home. A significant amount of seniors suffer from Macular Degeneration, or other malady that requires that they either stay in the home or make improvements that will allow them to stay in the home. As the saying goes, “money does not grow on trees.”
It is estimated that 4.3 trillion dollars in home equity is currently available. This number will grow exponentially as the baby boomers age. The home will continue to represent the biggest untapped source of equity. Many of our elders are literally sitting on a gold mine. By showing your clients how they can easily and safely extract this gold, convert it into cash, use the proceeds for any purpose, while never having to make a mortgage payment, you will have forever change their lives….for the better.
©2008-2009 Dennis Haber
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