Reverse Mortgage Loans – Is There Any Danger?

Recently, a large number of retired people have started to opt for reverse mortgage loans. These loans help them get extra money to deal with rising prices caused by inflation. Due to the financial crisis that the country is experiencing; Inflation has risen to a record level and during these difficult times, whatever investment these retirees have made in the past is not providing enough income to cover even their necessary expenses. Under such conditions, reverse mortgage loans seem to be a boon for them. However, there are many dangers involved in this type of loan program that everyone should be aware of.

Reverse mortgage loans are different from other loans. Here the lender does not require monthly payments; instead, they lend money to borrowers on approved terms so they can cover their monthly expenses or get the money in case of an emergency. The basic requirement of this loan program is that the borrower owns a home in which he resides and that the property has considerable value. This value can be used by the lender as collateral for the loan. When the owner of the house dies or moves, the house can be sold to extract the money used by the borrower.

However, in recent years the reverse mortgage laws have been changed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Many banks like Bank of America and Wells Fargo have stopped offering reverse mortgage loans. Several banks have also changed their lending channels that used to offer these loans. They are doing this because there have been many foreclosures due to the policy change and now it has become unacceptable for them as they have to bear the loss when the borrowers of this loan cannot repay the money. In many cases the value of homes has gone down and homeowners have taken out more money than the approved value of their home. When they die, the sale of their homes does not provide lenders with enough money and they have to cover the expenses left over from their accounts.

Therefore, it is professional advice that seniors who wish to apply for a reverse mortgage should attend the counseling sessions that are offered or should discuss this loan program with a financial advisor who will properly guide them on what to do. Many experts believe that this loan program should be kept as a last resort and other options that are available should be tried first to make life less complicated.

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