How Much Do Reverse Mortgages Cost?

For those at least 62 years old, taking out a reverse mortgage is one way to supplement their income in their retirement years. As long as you live in your home and have a reasonable amount of equity, you are likely to qualify. However, these programs can be complex and not suitable for everyone. That is why you must understand all the details before making a decision. So now we will talk about how much do reverse mortgages cost?

How much does a reverse mortgage pay?

The amount of money you can borrow depends on the amount of home equity you have available. Typically, you cannot use more than 80 percent of your home equity based on your appraised value. As of 2018, the maximum amount that can be paid to anyone with a reverse mortgage is $679,650. However, most people will be paid much less. The exact amount that the reverse mortgage will pay you depends on several different factors, including your age, the current value of the house, and your interest rate.

What are the different types of loan repayment options?

When you get a reverse mortgage, you can choose how you want to repay the loan amount. This means that you can receive monthly payments or take them in one lump sum. In addition to that, there are other changes to choose from. You can choose a hybrid option, which includes a starting lump sum and monthly payments. Or you can choose a line of credit, where you can withdraw money as needed, up to a certain limit. It all depends on what you think best suits your unique situation.

How does your payment method determine how much will be paid?

On the surface, the method of payment doesn’t seem to affect what you can get. However, paying a lump sum against monthly payments can affect the principal of your loan. If you get the entire amount of your reverse mortgage at the same time, you may end up giving some money, but both the fixed monthly payment option and the line of credit option can pay more with you over time if the value of your home increases.

What are the costs of a reverse mortgage?

Because a reverse mortgage is a type of loan, there are several costs involved in obtaining one. These include interest on the loan, the opening fee and any reservation fees. The reserved rates include costs such as evaluating your home and carrying out the repairs necessary for your home to be approved. An appraisal can cost between $ 250 and $ 1,000 depending on the size of the house and the difficulties that arise.

Interest rates change over time, but if your rate is 5 percent, for example, it means you will be charged 5 percent of the loan value each year, but you don’t have to pay it back right away. Instead, it will be evaluated at the end of the term of your loan or when the house sells. The reverse lender charges the origination fee to cover the cost of processing your loan application. The starting fee is generally 2 percent of the first $ 200,000 of the value of your home and 1 percent of any amount above that, and a maximum of $ 6,000. If your home is worth $ 125,000 or less, the starting fee cannot exceed $ 2,500.

Reduced Meaning

Depending on your age and the value of your home, the total closing cost of reverse mortgages could approach 20 percent of the value of real estate. Fortunately, closing costs can be covered fairly in your home, but will reduce the amount you get. Additionally, they will reduce the amount of money your heirs receive for your death.

Characteristics

The closing costs of a reverse mortgage include the origin fee, the closing costs, the mortgage insurance premium and the service fee. For a $ 250,000 house, the starting rate is 2 percent, or $ 5,000; the final cost will be as high as $ 3,000. Lenders require you to purchase mortgage insurance that will add $ 5,000 to your closing costs, and will add 1/2 percent to the interest rate on your loan, plus a $ 30 service fee. Finally, most loans will remain in force. Lenders that your loan will have a variable interest rate that will change according to market conditions.

Properties

Due to its high cost, many people choose not to apply for a reverse mortgage, although it can guarantee that they will be able to stay in their homes and get money when the loan is closed. In addition, they must evaluate the effect that a reverse mortgage will have on the properties that they leave to the beneficiaries of their properties.

Last Thoughts

Before opting for a reverse mortgage, evaluate the cost of that arrangement with other options. For example, assuming you are in good health wouldn’t it be better to sell your home?  And buy or rent something smaller? Or if you have considerable capital a home equity line of credit could provide.  You can decide on the money you need to improve your life and it is smart to speak to a financial advisor first.

Before you go, I hope this article on how much do reverse mortgages cost is helpful for you.