Sunday, August 17, 2008

Disadvantages of a Reverse Mortgage: Things You Want to Know

By Igor Buces


There's a handful of facts to grasp regarding reverse mortgages before choosing to apply for one. In this article, we'll discuss the principal disadvantages of a reverse mortgage so that you are better prepared when applying for one.

First, most reverse mortgages come with flexible rates. The rates will change as the market indicators change. This can be a disadvantage because of the uncertainty on future rates. Nevertheless, it can likewise work as an advantage if the interest rates go down once you get your reverse home mortgage.

Furthermore, rates going down are not as important as with a traditional mortgage because you're not making recurring payments. Interest rates going up just mean that you may not be able to receive as much of a monthly payment or that the remainding value in the house may go down faster than you thought.

Since reverse mortgages function by reducing the equity in a house, you can use up most of the equity, leaving little money left for you and your heirs. Nonetheless, you need to keep in mind that a "non-recourse" condition found in most reverse mortgages prevents either your heirs or yourself from owing more cash than your property is sold for.

Furthermore, beacuse you are retaining ownership of your house, you are accountable for the major expenses associated with keeping a house: taxes, utilities, insurance and maintenance.

One of the main disadvantages of a reverse mortgage is that most lenders charge inception fees and other closing costs for a reverse mortgage. Banks may also charge servicing fees during the duration of the reverse mortgage. In addition, the fees charged may vary greatly depending on the lender you choose. However, these costs are previously included in the mortgage and don't mean an out-of-pocket cost to you.

In addition, the interest rate on a reverse home mortgage is not deductible in your income tax return until the mortgage is paid off (in part or whole.) Still, if you don't need that money right now, it can be a large amount of cash available to you at the time when you sell your house.

Lastly, there is generally a more inexpensive solution to your financial concerns (credit line, refinancing, etc.) than getting a reverse mortgage. Of course, for many homeowners, the advantages clearly excel the disadvantages of a reverse mortgage.

Some of the advantages are the chance of staying in your own home for as long as you want, maintaining ownership of it and not having to make any recurring mortgage payments while you stay in it.

To ensure you get the best transaction, get a reverse home mortgage using a certified FHA reverse mortgage broker. A good reverse mortgage broker can educate you while saving you hundreds of dollars and reducing the disadvantages of a reverse mortgage.

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