The Most Common Features of Reverse Mortgages:

These offers have been designed to attract the senior citizens due to tax-free loan advances that have no impact on Social Security or Medicare advantages. Depending on the plan, reverse mortgages usually let the homeowners keep title to their homes till they decide to shift for good; die or the term of the loan expires. A shift is generally taken as permanent if the homeowner has not stayed in the home for 12 successive months. Hence if the person has been admitted to a nursing home or other medical facility for at least 12 months, the reverse mortgage becomes due.

But remember that:

Reverse mortgages are costlier than regular loans as they are increasing debt loans. The interest is totaled into the actual loan amount at the end of every month. Hence the total interest outstanding rises dramatically over the period of time, since the interest goes on compounding. Reverse mortgages consume all a part of the equity in a home. Hence the total assets of the homeowner and their heirs decrease. The borrowers also have to pay origination fees and closing costs; and at times servicing fees. These costs vary from lender to lender. Interest on reverse mortgages cannot be subtracted from income tax returns till the borrower repays the loan either partly or wholly. As homeowners can keep the title to their home, they are liable for taxes, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and other associated housing expenses.

Finding a Good Deal:

Once you have chosen to go for a reverse mortgage, look around to check out the terms. Consider the Annual percentage rate (APR) that is the annual cost of credit and kind of interest rate. Certain products carry fixed rate interest, while others have flexible rates that vary during the loan duration depending on market conditions. Also consider the number of points (fees charged by the lender for the loan) and other closing costs. Few lenders can charge heavy costs that can be financed by your lender. But if you accept this offer, you will have to withdraw smaller proceeds from the loan or you will have to take higher loan that will be totaled into the loan balance. As a result, the interest charged will be more when the loan term expires.

Total Amount Loan Cost (TALC) rates:

The TALC rate is the estimated yearly average cost of a reverse mortgage, along with all itemized costs. It gives an idea of the estimated one all-inclusive interest rate, if the lender opts to levy only interest and no fees or other costs like acceleration charges. They tell the period when the lender can immediately state the whole loan outstanding. As per the federal Truth in Lending Act, the lenders are obliged to declare these terms and other information to you before making you enter into the loan agreement. For flexible rate loans, the related information about the flexible rate characteristic should be declared. For the plans that provide credit lines, the prospective borrower should be informed about appraisal or credit report charges, lawyer's fees, or other costs involved with opening and using the account. Be aware of these terms and costs before signing on a loan application.