A reverse mortgage is entirely opposite to a home loan. You mortgage the house to the bank or a lender and in return get periodic payments. Eventually, the house is owned by a bank and they can sell it to recover the loan money along with the interest. It is for senior citizens, specifically for those who lack any constant stream of income. People over sixty are eligible for the reverse mortgage.
The ads given by reverse mortgage companies are very attractive. The ads show it as a means of great fortune. For several people, it is an excellent way of increasing their financial profile after retirement. It can have positive effects on their life quality. But it is important to look at both pros and cons of this mortgage before investing in it.
Disadvantages of reverse mortgage:
Here are some of the drawbacks of this type of mortgage.
- High fees: The upfront cost which includes insurance, closing and origination cost is very high. It is considered slightly greater than the cost that is charged for refinancing.
- Accumulating interests: There are no monthly payments in it, so the amount that you have to pay eventually increases. It grows over the time. With each passing month, the amount of interest increases.
- Not enough money to tap in: If there is a lot of home equity, it does not mean that you can use all of it. The reverse mortgage only allows you to use a limited sum of that money. The actual loan payment is calculated by using the appraised value of the home, the amount you owe on the home, current interest rates, and age.
- Complicated procedure: It is a mortgage, but in reverse. Some people find it difficult to understand the concept. In the traditional mortgage, money is borrowed up front and loan is paid back in installments over a period of time. It is just the opposite of that. You collect credit over time, and you pay it all back when you leave the house. Any equity that remains at the time of ownership is given to the heirs. Several people find the process complicated and difficult to understand.
Advantages of reverse mortgage:
The biggest benefit of this mortgage is that it saves you the trouble of paying traditional mortgage payments. It also eliminates the access to equity while you are still living in the house. If the circumstances are ideal, then it can the best way of earning financial security and increasing the power of spending.
The main benefits of this type of mortgage are:
- Flexibility: It is highly flexible and can be utilized in several different ways. Its versatility makes it perfect for various types of borrowers. A household which is in need of finances can use the product to decrease their financial stress. Households which have stable finances can use it as a tool for future financial planning.
- Improving finances while staying home: The best thing about it is that it allows you to stay in your home for as long as you want. You can live in your house without making any monthly mortgage payments. You can also access a particular amount of money in case of any financial emergency. The lenders do not have any claim on your assets or income in this mortgage.
- No downside: With this mortgage you will only owe according to the value of your house at the time loan is paid. It is an enormous advantage because you will get the amount of money according to the value of a home that time, even if the value of the house drops afterward. This feature offers excellent financial security.
- Flexibility in options for payment: The options of payment depend on the type of loan you choose. You can receive the loan money in the credit line, annuity, lump sum or a combination of these three options.
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