A reverse mortgage loan is very much like a home equity loan. First we’ll look at the similarities between the two and then let’s discuss how to buy a home with a reverse mortgage.
First a reverse mortgage is a lump sum payment or annuity that is paid from a lender or insurance company to supplement or provide income. As the homeowner you repay the mortgage obligation when you sell or vacate the residence. When you die your estate is responsible to pay back the loan. The amount owed will never exceed the value of your home. If the home is sold and the proceeds exceed the amount owed, the excess money goes back to you or in the case of your death, your estate.

Further, when you buy a home with a reverse mortgage it is not considered taxable income and does not affect Social Security or Medicare benefits.

A home equity loan on the other hand, is a mortgage loan that is secured by the residual equity in your home. To calculate equity, you subtract mortgage debt from your home value. Home equity loans allow a homeowner to make repairs or other home improvements, refinance other debt, or use for miscellaneous purposes. Unlike a home equity line of credit, a home equity loan is an amortizing loan.

When you buy a home with a reverse mortgage you are paid either a lump sum amount or annuity based on the amount of equity in your home. For example, a monthly payment of $1,000 for the next 120 months would be a 10 year monthly annuity.
Aside from programs which help you buy a home with a reverse mortgage there are various other types of reverse mortgages. One type is for homeowners who want to tap into their equity but not draw out the entire amount. Here an annuity or lump sum would be paid out. Another reverse mortgage program is a home equity conversion mortgage. Affiliated with FHA (the Federal Housing Administration) this program combines the features of a home equity loan and a line of credit. Here you receive a fixed payment and can also draw on a credit line for additional cash.
The buy a home with a reverse mortgage program uses the new home as a source of repayment. You make a down payment and use the reverse mortgage loan for the rest of the home’s purchase price. You repay the loan with interest and other financing costs, when you sell the home, no longer use it as a primary residence, or in the case of your death, your estate would cover the outstanding loan. Most types of homes are eligible.
Tremendous growth in the housing market over the last few years has given many homeowners a considerable boast in equity. As a result, some of these homeowners are now looking to buy a home with a reverse mortgage.
Take for instance, the homeowners who purchased their homes in the early 1960’s for a modest price and now in their retirement years find their home has doubled or even tripled in value.
With this kind of equity to play with many homeowners are looking to buy a home with a reverse mortgage. This could be a country home or a cottage property. Or, the funds could even be used for luxury vacations, recreational vehicles, boats – you name it!
If you were to buy a home with a reverse mortgage you would be able to pay cash for the second ‘vacation’ home while continuing to live in your primary residence for as long as you wish or are able. Once you die, your primary residence would be sold to pay back your reverse mortgage loan, while the second home would become part of your estate.
To participate in these reverse mortgage programs, you and any co-borrowers must be at least age 62. In order to buy a home with a reverse mortgage you also must have no mortgage debt on your home. Further there are usually no income requirements to participate in the above mentioned programs.
According to Fannie Mae, a positive feature of reverse mortgage programs is that you’re never obligated for more than the loan balance or the value of the property, whichever is less; no assets other than the home are used to repay the debt. A reverse mortgage has neither a fixed maturity date nor a fixed mortgage amount.
If you’re seriously looking to buy a home with a reverse mortgage it’s important that you do your homework. Take the time to comparison shop between lenders. Seeking the advice of at least three reverse mortgage lenders is always wise.

Betty and John, are in their mid-seventies and are currently weighing the advantages and disadvantages of a reverse mortgage as a way of freeing up some cash.

Like Betty and John, if you’re considering a reverse mortgage it’s important to do some research prior to making a decision. You not only need to understand the basic principles of this kind of mortgage but you also need to look at all the advantages and disadvantages of a reverse mortgage.

Essentially a reverse mortgage is a loan that permits homeowners 62 years of age and older to borrow against the equity in their homes without having to sell it. Further, you don’t have to give up the title or take on a new monthly mortgage payment.

A reverse mortgage loan is tax-free and needs only to be repaid when the borrower (or in the case of Betty and John, when the surviving spouse) dies or sells the home. At which time, the reverse mortgage loan must be repaid in full, including all interest and other charges.

When examining the advantages and disadvantages of a reverse mortgage it’s also important to consider both the process and the related costs of obtaining a reverse mortgage.

Unlike a conventional mortgage, with a reverse mortgage, the homeowner (the potential borrower) must meet with a reverse mortgage counselor. References for counselors can be obtained from banks offering reverse mortgages or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The purpose of these meetings which may take place in person or on the telephone is for the homeowner to learn about reverse mortgages and discuss alternative options. It also helps you decide which kind of reverse mortgage may be best.

As well as exploring the advantages and disadvantages of a reverse mortgage, it’s wise that the potential borrower, also compare costs between various lenders and request a Total Annual Loan Cost estimate for each.

Further to discussing the advantages and disadvantages of a reverse mortgage with a counselor, you also need to understand that there are certain costs involved in the reverse mortgage process. Costs may include application fees, closing costs, insurance, appraisal fees, credit report fees, and quite possibly a monthly service fee.

Remember too that since a reverse mortgage allows you to continue living in your home, you’re still responsible for property taxes, insurance and repairs. If these payments are not maintained, the loan could become due in full.

A reverse mortgage may also affect eligibility for federal or state assistance as well as Medicaid. That said, any reverse mortgage money that is received is tax-free and does not affect Social Security or Medicare benefits.

The condition of your home is also a large part of the approval process. It must be structurally sound and in good repair. If it’s determined that home repairs need to be done, the costs can also be financed through the reverse mortgage loan.

The total amount a homeowner can borrow all depends on the kind of reverse mortgage selected, how much equity is in the home, the loan's interest rate and most importantly, the age of the borrower. Typically the older a person is, the more they can expect to receive.

A borrower can receive reverse mortgage payments in one of the following ways: in a lump-sum payment; fixed monthly payments; a line of credit or a combination of any of the above. Most homeowners go for the line of credit option which allows them to draw on the loan whenever money is required.

Reverse Mortgage Resources