Posts Tagged ‘Mortgage’

When Are Reverse Mortgages Too Expensive?

Saturday, August 14th, 2010

How much a reverse mortgage costs is one of the top arguments against doing one. Often, I hear: “they are too expensive”. My reply would be: “compared to what”?

Let’s look at what some alternatives are: You could move, but what would be the cost of moving? While you probably could get a quote for moving your household, what price can you put on the emotional cost? When you have lived on your home for several years, if not decades, you have everything where you want it. You know where it is and the memories run deeply. So is it worth moving, and turning your entire life upside down? If you do move, there are more things to consider.

Do you want to have a rental? If you move out of your home, are you going to rent it out? If so, there will be a time investment to manage the property. You will probably have repairs that need to be done and the hassle of screening tenants and hoping to get a good one.

You might be saying that you would sell your home and renting it out doesn’t make sense. If you actually looked up what it costs to move, the next step will be a little easier. You just take the cost of moving, and then add the real estate commissions to that. Real estate sales commissions run 5%-6% of the sales price, and you will probably pay some or all of the closing costs for the buyer. Just to be clear, there are times when selling is the best option for all parties. I am just pointing out that there are expenses in doing so.

So what are the fees associated with a reverse mortgage? Depending on your loan officer, the cost of a reverse mortgage is somewhere between 2% and 5% of the appraised value. You can see that it is actually cheaper to do a reverse mortgage than it is to sell. It is easier than moving, and you get a place to live for the rest of your life. To top it all off, the fees have been drastically reduced, and the interest rates are at an all time low.

Of Course, there are always exceptions. If you are moving in a few years, it likely won’t make sense to do a reverse mortgage. I am not speaking of thinking someday you may move. I am talking about you having a plan to move in three years to a warmer, dryer city and knowing you are going to do it. In other words, have a definite plan.

Looking for more information on reverse mortgages? Getting educated on the reverse mortgage programs available may go a long way towards helping you make your decision. If you would like You can see what you qualify for using our FREE reverse mortgage calculator.

Reverse Mortgage Disadvantages

Saturday, July 31st, 2010

1. You don’t get to write-off your mortgage interest:

a. Remember the 1099 form you get that shows how much interest you paid? You won’t be getting that after you complete a reverse mortgage. Since you have accrued interest and not paid interest, there is nothing to write off. Once you pay the interest, you will get the write off, but normally that occurs when the home is paid off.

b. Is the interest write off more important than not having house payments? Would you prefer to have the write off or no payments?

2. Accruing interest or your balance growing:

a. Interest accruing on your loan without making payments means the amount you owe on your loan will increase over the life of your loan. The interest that is charged monthly is added to your balance, making it get bigger each month.

b. No payments today in trade for a bigger payoff tomorrow. Most reverse mortgages are paid off when the borrower passes away, so they have permanently deferred the monthly payments.

3. Reverse mortgage fees are expensive:

a. Reverse mortgage fees are expensive when compared to a regular home loan. since there are no monthly payments on a reverse mortgage, but you do have payments on a normal loan, maybe “they” think there is some justification for higher fees.

b. New programs have recently been released that have cut the cost of a reverse mortgage in half from what they used to be. If you didn’t do a reverse mortgage before because of the cost, check again. You will be surprised on how much the fees have been reduced.

4.You leave less money to your kids:

a. It will reduce the amount you leave as an inheritance, if you spend your equity. This could be really important to those who want to leave a sum of money to their heirs, but there are alternatives to how you leave the “money”.

b. Are you really depriving anyone by spending your equity? If you have a mortgage, and you remove the monthly expense, this will leave you more cash to save or spend to maintain your independence. Your heirs may not have to chip in to help you survive. That alone saves them money and enhances their future retirement. If you have no mortgage, getting monthly income or a lump sum of money will help take care of your home and medical expenses.

You will see there are two sides to these so called “reverse mortgage disadvantages”. Just weigh the objection against the need to see if the loan makes sense to you.If you would like to bounce some ideas off of someone, email me or give me a call. You can get my contact information online at www.redwoodreversemortgage.com. You will also find a lot more information on reverse mortgages there.

Have you heard other reverse mortgage disadvantages? Follow the links if you are looking for more reverse mortgage information. You can get a free education with no obligation. You can even use our reverse mortgage calculator for free.

How Home Inspections Can Save A Buyer Big Money

Friday, July 9th, 2010

I won’t lie to you buying a house is an expensive thing to do, there are fees to get a loan, there are closing costs, there is the time and money you spend when you are looking at houses. It sometimes seems that every single phone call is someone wanting some more money from you. It can be easy to discount the costs that are not required to get a loan, the home inspection usually falls into this section but forgoing it can be a mistake.

Your best protection against buying a home that is substandard in any way is to have it inspected by a qualified home inspector. It can be difficult as you have probably falled in love with the house and are imagining how your children will look playing in the garden. You don’t want to think that there could possibly be anything wrong with your future home, but isn’t it better to know sooner rather than later that the roof will need replacing in a year or two.

Buying a house is expensive, but the home inspection is not the thing to do without in the hope of saving a few hundred dollars. A new roof will cost you somewhere in the region of $15,000 so it is worth spending a few hundred to check that you won’t be needing a new one any time soon. No matter how nice the home owner appears it is not good enough to just trust that they will even know about any problems their house has never mind telling you about them.

Finding a home inspector that is certified is important, don’t be tempted to ask a friend who is a contractor to look over the place just so you can save a few dollars. Home inspectors are specially trained to be able to spot problems in your home that you (or your contractor buddy) would miss, most of us have no knowledge of electrical systems or plumbing beyond the turning on of lights and the flushing of the toilet.

In some states, it makes sense to also have inspections for radon, mold and termites. You also want to make sure that the roof is thoroughly inspected as is the basement. You can also ask the seller to purchase a one-year home warranty that will cover the major components in the house for one year and is renewable if the buyer chooses to do so. These are usually less than $450 and are worth their weight in gold.

Trying to work out what a reverse mortgage is exactly? There is no easy way to show you but if you are at or very near the age of retirement then it is worth looking into.

Looking At Your Home’s Equity Differently.

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

I often ask new clients what they think their home is worth. Not surprisingly, the answers I get back are usually overly-optimistic. Nonetheless, these clients often have a very strong sense of how much their home is worth to them. In fact, I find that people who come to me looking for reverse mortgages are particularly good at separating the intrinsic value of their home from its market value.

Despite the constant movements in real estate prices, the inherent value that a home has to a borrower is usually much higher than market value. Our homes are more than cinder blocks and wood. They often represent the very essence of our lifestyles and are the places that give us the most comfort. The value of these aspects of our home cannot be quantified in the open market. For many individuals, these inherent aspects of our homes represent the most important and meaningful parts of a home that can’t be value through an appraisal or sale of the home.

Nonetheless, the market price of a reverse mortgage borrower is largely secondary. These individuals usually are not planning to sell their home any time soon and the fair market value of their home is only relevant in as much as it determines how much they can borrow in a reverse mortgage. The real issue that these borrowers contend with is how to properly allocate their retirement assets. These borrowers understand that having a majority of their retirement assets tied up in one place may not be the most conservative and effective strategy for their retirement savings. These individuals usually are keenly aware that their home equity is most efficiently put to use when its considered a part of their overall retirement planning.

As the old saying goes, “You can’t take it with you”. However, that doesn’t mean you should squander it away either. Prudent borrowers incorporate their reverse mortgage proceeds into their overall retirement plan to maintain or increase their standard of living throughout the entirety of their retirement years. What you do with reverse mortgage proceeds is entirely up to you. However borrowers are best advised to plan carefully and think holistically.

Seniors who carefully consider their overall financial picture and include their home equity in their retirement planning are more likely to live comfortably during their later years. Seniors who ignore their home equity are missing one of the largest pieces of their retirement puzzle. Although these loans are not appropriate for everyone under every circumstance, if your home consists of a large part of your net worth, you should definitely think about reverse mortgages and how they may help your retirement planning.

If eliminating pesky monthly mortgage bills, freeing up additional cash and owning your home for the rest of your life fits into your retirement plans, then looking into a reverse mortgage may make sense for you. You would be wise to investigate this flexible financing vehicle closely. You may be shocked at what a reverse mortgage can do for you.

Looking for more information on a reverse mortgage calculator or calculators? Then make sure to check out Tim Begert’s online resources.

The Pros And Cons Of A Reverse Mortgage

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

Let’s face it, there is good and bad in everything that we do. The real question is; does the good outweigh the bad? We are going to take a look at what the real story is. Are reverse mortgages good or bad? We will start with the “bad” points.

Reverse Mortgage Cons:

1. Mortgage Insurance – All FHA loans have mortgage insurance, regardless of how much equity you have available. In the case of a reverse mortgage, it is for the possibility the balance of your loan may exceed the amount your home is worth. This only applies when it is time to sell your home and is usually in the event that property values decline. Remember, even if you use up all your equity, you will never be kicked out of your home. Because of the Mortgage Insurance, you and your heirs will never owe more than your home is worth. That is what you are paying for.

2. Compound Interest – Everyone likes to earn it, no one likes to pay it. Simply defined, it is interest which is calculated not only on the initial principal but also the accumulated interest of prior periods. If you’ve ever had a savings account or investment that you rolled the earnings back into, you have likely earned it. Since you are not making payments on your loan, compound interest will add up.

3. Spending Your Kids’ Inheritance – I have heard some say that it is wrong to spend the children’s inheritance. But, I have to ask, “Whose money is it”? In my opinion, if you need the money, use it. You can leave what is left over, and that should be enough. You shouldn’t blow the money, but use enough to make life comfortable.

The Pros of a Reverse Mortgage:

1. Maintain Your Independence – What could be more embarrassing than asking your kids for financial help to cover monthly expenses? Would you like to need to move in with your kids? You can use your home’s equity to make ends meet and keep your dignity.

2. The Ability to Keep Your Home – Not having to move potentially decades of collected items and memories might be the best reason to do a reverse mortgage. Just the thought of moving makes most people cringe. By taking advantage of a reverse mortgage, you can afford to keep the home you love while affording the retirement you deserve.

3. Making Life Affordable – So many impoverished seniors have become so accustomed to being broke that they don’t even know that they are. Reverse mortgages allow you to access your equity and use it as a lifetime income stream. You might feel like you’ve won the lottery if you were able to get a few hundred dollars more every month.

4. No Mortgage Payments – There are no monthly payments, and you don’t have to pay back the loan as long as you maintain the home as your primary residence. This can really be helpful when times are tough.

Did you notice that the fees weren’t mentioned in the “cons” section? That is because fees are no longer a reason to not do a loan. There are new programs available that cut the fees of a reverse mortgage 50% or more. Usually the origination fee can be totally waived and you could get a large credit towards your mortgage insurance.

Before we summarize, let me admit something. Yes, I am a reverse mortgage loan officer, but I truly believe reverse mortgages are a great tool that can help a lot of people. I am not saying they are for everyone, but when I see anyone saying they are bad, I just cringe. Tools aren’t bad. It’s how you use them. If the equity in your home is the only money you have, what is wrong with using it to make life livable?

Now it is up to you to decide. Is this a tool that can help you or someone you know? Will your life be enhanced with a reverse mortgage? If you are still unsure and want more information, read more of our articles on our website.

David Prulhiere is the owner of Redwood Financial Services and he specializes in reverse mortgages. If you would like to read more about reverse mortgage pros and cons? You can also see other articles and blogs with additional reverse mortgage information.

Refinance Your Florida Home Before Rates Go Up

Saturday, June 19th, 2010

It’s never been a better time to refinance your Florida home. With a myriad of options available and interest rates at an all time low, closing costs can be quickly recovered by lower monthly mortgage payments. If you’ve been thinking of refinancing but waiting for the right time, now is the time to act.

Would you like to reduce your monthly mortgage payments? Would you like to make some repairs to your home? How about just getting a little extra cash in your pocket to enjoy life a little more? If any of this sounds attractive to you, you might want to think about refinancing today.

Reverse mortgages may also be an attractive option for you if you qualify. If you are 62 or older and own your home or have a low mortgage balance, you may want to think about one of these loans. These products are becoming more consumer-friendly every day and are inexpensive options for many seniors. You don’t need to have an income or a good credit score to qualify, so if eliminating your monthly mortgage payments or putting extra cash in your pocket seems attractive to you, take a look at reverse mortgages.

As long as you continue to use the home as your primary residence, you do not need to make monthly payments on a reverse mortgage. You simply need to continue to live in the home and keep your mortgage and taxes current. Once the borrowers die or move out of the home, the loan will become due. These are a fantastic option for seniors who have an existing mortgage and are seeking to eliminate their monthly mortgage payments for good.

Another important aspect of reverse mortgages is that you can never owe more than your home is worth. The non-recourse nature of these loans means that if your property value declines below the value of the home, you are not required to pay the difference. This means you don’t ever have to worry about leaving a debt to your heirs. If you die and the loan balance exceeds the value of the home, your heirs can simply satisfy the loan obligation by turning the home over to the bank. Of course, they can also choose to repay the loan or refinance it with a regular mortgage if they’d like.

The ways you can use a reverse mortgage are practically limited only by your imagination. These loans are very flexible and allow you to receive your money almost any way you desire. In addition, you can use the proceeds from a reverse mortgage for almost anything you desire. You can buy a vacation home, a gift for the grandchildren or even take a cruise. What you do with your money is completely up to you.

If you’re a homeowner, it’s a fantastic time to consider refinancing your home mortgage. Remember that although interest rates are at historic lows now, they won’t be that way forever. By refinancing you could save yourself and incredible amount of money in the long run. So don’t delay and call your mortgage broker today to find out what your options are.

Looking for more information on a reverse mortgage lenders association or lowest mortgage rate refinance? Then make sure to check out Tim Begert’s online resources.

A Fresh Look At Reverse Mortgages

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Reverse mortgage volume has grown incredibly over the last ten years. As more and more seniors require additional solutions to meet their retirement needs, these products have filled a very important void. However, recent real estate market conditions and high closing costs have pushed many otherwise-eligible borrowers away from these loans.

While the inherent costs of reverse mortgages and lack of ownership equity has had a negative impact on the potential growth of these products, the mortgage industry also must bear much of the blame for the product’s failure to gain wide mainstream acceptance among older homeowners. Aggressive marketing tactics and lack of valuable consumer information has caused much market confusion regarding these product. However, with a possible bottoming out of the real estate market and the recent reduction of closing costs for reverse mortgages, now may be the perfect time to take a fresh look at how these loans can supplement your retirement assets.

This spring has seen a revolution in the way reverse mortgage fees are charged. With banks slashing fees associated with these loans, consumers have seen a bonanza of opportunity. Increasing bank competition has allowed some seniors to tap into their home equity at a savings of fees in excess of $10,000. Without a doubt, this has been a boon to consumers who have taken advantage of this competitive climate.

With this increasing competition, however, a surge in aggressive marketing tactics my many reverse mortgage companies has been in full force. While these products are cheaper than ever before, consumers must be careful when dealing with mortgage brokers who are more interested in closing a deal than providing valuable information to the consumer. For this reason, it is now more important than ever that consumers work with a mortgage broker that will take the time to teach them about their options and educate the borrower as to the variety of products available in the marketplace.

Reverse mortgages can be tricky. However a good mortgage professional can cut through the difficulties and explain the loan’s terms in a simplified fashion. When selecting a broker, make sure you find someone who’s interested in learning about your needs and not just selling you a loan. By taking the necessary precautions now, you can save yourself significant headaches in the future.

Looking to find the best deal on Florida Reverse Mortgages, then visit www.thereversereport.com to find the best advice on retirement financing for you.

Deciding On Whether A Reverse Mortgage Is For You

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

Many seniors wish to enjoy their golden years, but are unable to find a method to increase their monthly income or decrease sufficient of their monthly expenditures so that you can retire at an age which will afford them the opportunity to do so. One way to circumvent this problem is via obtaining a reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage enables homeowners older than sixty two many years of age to convert the equity in their homes into tax-free income while they continue to reside at their property. Rather than creating monthly payments as having a traditional home loan, seniors who hold a reverse mortgage are compensated now for the current value of their property.

But how do you decide if a reverse mortgage is correct for you?

Reverse mortgages, like nevada reverse mortgage , are an excellent option for numerous, but take careful planning and consideration. Since the spend out terms could be structured in a range of ways, including various pay out term periods, lines of credit or both, it’s important to appear at the amount you are capable to get for your house within the context of your lengthy phrase monetary requirements. Needless to say, you will find no restrictions on the use of funds, meaning you can do anything you like with the proceeds of a invert home loan, such as renovating your house.

Reverse mortgages won’t have an effect on regular Social Security or Medicare advantages but can affect Medicaid eligibility in some instances. Counseling is really a mandatory for people who wish to apply for a reverse mortgage, and a government sponsored lending agency counselor can answer all your questions related to benefit reductions that may apply.

Reverse mortgages, like reverse mortgage new hampshire, can be a very efficient technique of supplementing your post retirement income, provided you’re aware of how proper spend out structuring can positively affect your long term financial picture. The best way to decide whether a reverse mortgage is correct for you personally is simply to view all the info available in order to make an informed decision. For those who have paid the majority or their entire home, their post retirement lifestyle need not be hampered by a lack of cash flow.

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Reverse Mortgage- Is It A Big Risk?

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

A reverse mortgage is really a special kind of loan that house owners can occasionally get to convert the equity in their homes to money. Simply, a reverse mortgage is a kind of loan that provides you with a monthly income, a lump sum of cash, or a line of credit. Or a mixture of both

This was originally structured for retirees keen in keeping their homes but whose incomes aren’t sufficient to support them, reverse mortgages have usually been used to assist individuals on low incomes to pay for daily expenditures, large medical bills or the odd house maintenance and repair costs. Reverse mortgage also pays off your existing loan, if you’ve any. So you’ve no ongoing house payment. The monthly earnings you receive from the change home loan is guaranteed and you will receive it as long as you remain living within the house.

Many reverse mortgages, like oregon reverse mortgage, provide unique appeal to older adults because the loan advances, which are not taxable, usually don’t affect Social Security or Medicare benefits. An additional advantage of reverse mortgages is the various withdrawal choices which you are capable to choose. These choices include lump sum distributions, line of credit, monthly payments, or any mixture of these three. So if you were eligible to borrow $200,000 on a reverse mortgage you could select to receive $60,000 up front to cover present expenditures, and hold the rest as a line of credit which you can use whenever you need it. This flexibility of reverse mortgages can significantly improve you financial independence throughout retirement

The disadvantage may be the relative cost of the reverse mortgage. Reverse mortgages tend to be very expensive when compared with a conventional home loan. This is due towards the rising-debt nature of reverse mortgages. Another disadvantage may be the reverse mortgage payments can have an effect on eligibility for old age pensions, or supplemental Social Security earnings. Senior citizens may not even appreciate this problem until following they already have their reverse mortgage, and only then do they discover that this can have the negative affect on their finances then what they had been trying to accomplish in the first place by taking out the reverse mortgage.

With these facts in mind, reverse mortgage like reverse mortgage pennsylvania are certainly an choice to think about if you are looking for ways to supplement your current earnings. As with any financial decision, you should consult the advice of the trained monetary professional to analyze and determine if a reverse mortgage is correct for inside your unique circumstances.

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Consider A Reverse Mortgage – As Your Last Option

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

House buyers frequently conserve rigorously for their home, forgoing expenditures and creating sacrifices to pay down the home loan and conserve for retirement. At retirement they get to appreciate their dream home debt-free. The only issue with this scenario for a lot of retirees is that they live on a fixed, and frequently not very big, earnings.

One choice is to take a reverse mortgage – a loan against the home, which brings you money although you nevertheless reside inside your home. You are able to usually borrow between 10 to 40 percent of the value of your house depending on your age. A reverse mortgage loan demands no repayment for as long as you reside in your house and you will never owe more than the worth of your home.

This loan is various from a traditional mortgage in two methods. In order to qualify to get a conventional home loan, the bank checks your earnings to see how much you can afford to repay each month, but with a reverse mortgage you will find no monthly repayments. With most loans, if you fail to make your repayments, you’re in trouble. With a reverse mortgage, you don’t have any repayments. Thus, the debt grows larger as you maintain getting cash advances and the interest is added towards the quantity you owe. This is why a reverse mortgage is called a “rising debt, falling equity” loan. As the amount you owe (your financial debt) grows bigger, your equity (the worth of your home less debt) is getting smaller.

You are able to receive earnings from your reverse mortgage, like reverse mortgage north dakota , in two ways. You can take the loan and invest it in an annuity. In turn, this annuity will supply you with income until your death. The second alternative would be to obtain monthly earnings from your reverse mortgage provider. Here you simply increase the size of one’s loan on a regular basis in order to receive income.

There’s a single big downside to all of this – you still owe money on your home. The total quantity you’ll owe at the end of the loan will equal the loan plus all of the curiosity accrued. All of the curiosity can be a substantial quantity of money.

Prior to you apply to get a reverse mortgage, like ohio reverse mortgage, discuss your choices with your family. Remember that a reverse mortgage will reduce the size of one’s final estate.

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