Can a reverse mortgage be a government loan?

Reverse mortgages are increasing in popularity with seniors who have equity in their homes and want to supplement their income. The only reverse mortgage insured by the U.S. Federal Government is called a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), and is only available through an FHA-approved lender.

What type of loan is a reverse mortgage?

A Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), the most common type of reverse mortgage, is a special type of home loan only for homeowners who are 62 and older. A reverse mortgage loan, like a traditional mortgage, allows homeowners to borrow money using their home as security for the loan.

Can a reverse mortgage be used to refinance a home?

A reverse mortgage is the only way to access home equity without selling the home for seniors who don’t want the responsibility of making a monthly loan payment or who can’t qualify for a home equity loan or refinance because of limited cash flow or poor credit. If you don’t qualify for any of these loans,…

What are the responsibilities of a reverse mortgage?

In a reverse mortgage, you keep the title to your home. That means you are responsible for property taxes, insurance, utilities, fuel, maintenance, and other expenses. And, if you don’t pay your property taxes, keep homeowner’s insurance, or maintain your home, the lender might require you to repay your loan.

What’s the difference between reverse mortgage and forward mortgage?

A reverse mortgage is a loan against your home that you don’t have to repay as long as you live there. In a regular, or so-called forward mortgage, your monthly loan repayments make your debt go down over time until you’ve paid it all off.

Do you have to pay back taxes on reverse mortgage?

Reverse mortgages take part of the equity in your home and convert it into payments to you – a kind of advance payment on your home equity. The money you get usually is tax-free. Generally, you don’t have to pay back the money for as long as you live in your home.