More Things to Know if You're Interested in a Reverse Mortgage

Can the lender take my home away if I outlive the loan?

No! Nor is the loan due. You do not need to repay the loan as long as you or one of the borrowers continues to live in the house and keeps the taxes and insurance current. You can never owe more than your home's value.

Will I still have an estate that I can leave to my heirs?

When you sell your home or no longer use it for your primary residence, you or your estate will repay the cash you received from the reverse mortgage, plus interest and other fees, to the lender. The remaining equity in your home, if any, belongs to you or to your heirs. None of your other assets will be affected by HUD's reverse mortgage loan. This debt will never be passed along to the estate or heirs.

How much money can I get from my home?

The amount you can borrow depends on your age, the current interest rate, other loan fees and the appraised value of your home or FHA's mortgage limits for your are, whichever is less. Generally, the more valuable your home is, the older you are, the lower the interest, the more you can borrow.

How do I receive my payments?

You have five options:

1. Tenure - equal monthly payments as long as at least one borrower lives and continues to occupy the property as a principal residence.
   
   
2. Term - equal monthly payments for a fixed period of months selected.
   
   
3. Line of Credit - unscheduled payments or in installments, at times and in amounts of borrower's choosing until the line of credit is exhausted.
   
   
4. Modified Tenure - combination of line of credit with monthly payments for as long as the borrower remains in the home.
   
   
5. Modified Term - combination of line of credit with monthly payments for a fixed period of months selected by the borrower.