7/31/2017

Reverse Mortgage Questions Answered



Questions and the Answers about Reverse Mortgages
Q: What if I have an existing mortgage?
A: You may qualify for a reverse mortgage even if you still owe money on an existing mortgage. However, the reverse mortgage must be in a first lien position, so any existing indebtedness must be paid off. You can pay off the existing mortgage with a reverse mortgage, money from your savings, or assistance from a family member or friend.
For example, let's say you owe $100,000 on an existing mortgage. Based on your age, home value, and interest rates, you qualify for $125,000 under the reverse mortgage program. Under this scenario, you will be able to pay off ALL the existing mortgage and still have $25,000 left over to use as you wish.

Social Security and Medicare
Q: Will I lose my government assistance if I get a reverse mortgage?
A: A reverse mortgage does not affect regular Social Security or Medicare benefits. However, if you are on Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), any reverse mortgage proceeds that you receive must be used immediately. Funds that you retain count as an asset and could impact eligibility. For example, if you receive $4,000 in a lump sum for home repairs and spend it all the same calendar month, everything is fine. Any residual funds remaining in your bank account the following month would count as an asset. If the total liquid resources (including other bank funds and savings bonds) exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple, you would be ineligible for Medicaid. 
Payment Options
Q: What are My Payment Plan Options?
A: You can choose to receive the money from a reverse mortgage all at once as a lump sum, fixed monthly payments either for a set term or for as long as you live in the home, as a line of credit, or a combination of these.
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Amount of Proceeds
Q:  How Much Money Can I Get?
A:  The amount of funds you are eligible to receive depends on your age (or the age of the youngest spouse when there is a couple), appraised home value, interest rates, and in the case of the government program, the FHA lending limit in Orange county California is currently $636150. If your home is worth more, then the amount of funds you may be eligible for will be based on the $636,150.00 loan limit. In general, the older you are and the more valuable your home (and the less you owe on your home), the more money you can get.
During the first 12 months after closing, a borrower cannot access more than 60 percent of the available loan proceeds. In month thirteen, a borrower can access as much or as little of the remaining funds as he or she wishes.

There are exceptions to the 60 percent rule. If you have an existing mortgage, you may pay it off and take an additional 10 percent of the available funds, even if the total amount used exceeds 60 percent.

Use of Proceeds
Q: How can I use the proceeds from a reverse mortgage?
A: The proceeds from a reverse mortgage can be used for anything, whether its to supplement retirement income to cover daily living expenses, repair or modify your home (i.e., widening halls or installing a ramp), pay for health care, pay off existing debts, cover property taxes, or prevent foreclosure.
Interest
Q: How does the interest work on a reverse mortgage?
A:  With a reverse mortgage, you are charged interest only on the proceeds that you receive. Both fixed and variable interest rates are available. Rates are tied to an index, such as the 1-Yr. Treasury Bill or the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), plus a margin that typically adds an additional one to three percentage points onto the rate you're charged. Interest is not paid out of your available loan proceeds, but instead compounds over the life of the loan until repayment occurs.

Growth Feature
Q:  If the unused balance in the HECM Line of Credit Option has a growth feature am I earning interest?
A:  No, you're not earning interest.. After the first month of your HECM loan, the principal limit increases each month thereafter at a rate equal to one-twelfth of the mortgage interest rate in effect at that time, plus one-twelfth of monthly mortgage insurance premium rate.  
Why Two Mortgages?
Q: Why did I sign two (2) Mortgages and Notes at my closing?
A: Your lender is in a first lien position and the Federal Housing Administration is in a second lien position. If your lender fails to meet its obligations under the terms of the Loan Agreement, FHA can step in and assume responsibility for the loan, so that you continue getting uninterrupted access to your funds.  Both the first and the second mortgage will be recorded with the county in which your property is located. FHA is a government backed mortgage.
Servicing Fee
Q: What is the Service Fee Set Aside?
A: The service fee set aside is the dollar amount deducted from your Original Principal Limit and serves to ensure the future payment of your monthly servicing fee.  The amount of the service fee set aside is NOT part of your outstanding balance and is NOT accruing interest.  As the service fee set aside is not part of the loan balance, the funds remaining in the service fee set aside at time of loan repayment are not subject to refund.
Q: Why am I charged a servicing fee?
A: The monthly servicing fee covers the costs associated with administering your reverse mortgage loan.  This administration includes, among other tasks, providing customer service, maintaining accurate records of your outstanding loan balance (including the interest and mortgage insurance premiums, etc) at all times, tracking your property taxes and your hazard insurance, certifying your occupancy status, issuing your statements of account, issuing and collecting payments, collecting on the loan when it becomes due, and discharging the mortgage.
Mortgage Insurance Premiums
Q: Why is there a Mortgage Insurance Premium with my HECM reverse mortgage?
A: Under the HECM program, you will be charged a mortgage insurance premium (MIP) at closing that is based on the amount of funds withdrawn during the initial year. As long as you don’t take more than 60 percent of the available funds in the first year, you will be charged an upfront MIP of 0.50 percent of the appraised value of the home. If, however, you take more than 60 percent, the upfront MIP will be 2.50 percent. On a $200,000 home, 2.5 percent is $5,000 versus $1,000 if you were paying 0.50 percent. 


You also are charged MIP on an annual basis, however this fee doesn't come out of your available loan proceeds. Rather, it accrues over time and you pay it once the loan is called due and payable. The annual premium is equal 1.25 percent of the outstanding loan balance.
Payments
Q: I elected to receive monthly payments, when will those monthly payments commence?
A: Your first monthly payments are to be sent to you the first business day of the month following your loan funding date. For example, if your loan closed at the end of May and your loan funded in June, then your first monthly payment will be issued the first business day of July.  If your loan closed in June, and your loan funded in June, then your first monthly payment will be the first business day of July.
Q: Can I change the type of payment plan I elected at closing?
A: If you have a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), and your loan documents allow for a payment plan change, then yes you can change your payment plan. This means that you can change from monthly payments to a Line of Credit, or vice versa.  There is usually a fee associated with changing you payment plan. NRMLA strongly advises that you discuss the payment plan change options that may be available, and any possible fee for changing your payment plan, with your reverse mortgage servicer.
Q: What if my loan servicer does not send my requested funds in a timely manner?
A: Your loan servicer is to send your requested Line of Credit funds within five (5) business days of receiving your request for funds.  If you have scheduled monthly payments, then these funds are to be disbursed by the first business day of each month.  If your servicer does not disburse your funds within these timeframes, FHA can fine your loan servicer and make them pay you an extra 10% of the payment that is due to you, plus interest on that sum for each additional day the disbursement is delayed.  This fine shall not exceed $500 for each instance of late disbursement.  This fine may not be added to your loan balance.
Prepayments
Q: Can I make a partial prepayment to my reverse mortgage account?
A:  Most reverse mortgages will permit a partial prepayment to your reverse mortgage account without penalty

Interest charges and your income taxes
Q: Can I deduct the interest charges for income tax purposes?
A: Interest charges can only be deducted once those interest charges have been paid.  Generally you are not making  payments to your reverse mortgage, you can't write them off for income tax purposes.  If you have made partial prepayments, then you must be assured that your prepayments have been applied to your interest charges 

Occupancy
Q: What are “Occupancy Certificates”?
A: Reverse mortgages require you to periodically certify that you continue to reside in the property as your primary residence.  
Property Taxes
Q: Do I have to pay my property taxes?
A: Yes, it is your responsibility to ensure that your property taxes are paid in a timely manner. 
Q: What is a “Tax Set Aside”?
A: You may choose to have your reverse mortgage servicer pay your property taxes on your behalf.  Property taxes can change as time goes on, your loan servicer will work with you to keep current on any increases in property tax or special assessments.These funds do not become part of your loan balance until which time the funds are actually disbursed.
Q: Can I participate in a property tax deferral program?
A: You may only participate in a property tax deferral program if the lien created by your deferral program is subordinate to your reverse mortgage loan.  
Q: May I participate in a tax exemption program?
A: Yes, tax exemption programs are permitted under the reverse mortgage program.  
Hazard Insurance
Q:  Am I required to maintain Hazard Insurance on my mortgaged property?
A:  Yes.  You must maintain Hazard Insurance on your property in an amount that is equal to at least 100% of the insurable value of the improvements at the time of your loan closing.  You provide loan servicer with a copy of your Hazard Insurance policy and renew upon expiration. Failure to maintain adequate Hazard Insurance on your property is considered a DEFAULT in the terms of your Loan Agreement and may be grounds for calling your loan due and payable.
Q: What is an “Insurance Set Aside”?
A: You may choose to have your reverse mortgage servicer pay your Hazard Insurance premiums on your behalf.  This can be set up similar to an impound but as fire and hazard charges may change annually it is your responsibility to make certain the home is covered and your servicer has the copy of the policy
Flood Insurance
Q: Do I have to carry Flood Insurance in addition to my Hazard Insurance?
A:  If your property is in an area that has been identified by FEMA as having special flood hazards, then you must maintain Flood Insurance in compliance with the Flood Disaster Act of 1973.  I
Loan Assignment
Q: Why have I received a notice that my loan is being assigned to HUD?
A: Under the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) plan, your loan servicer may assign your loan to HUD when your outstanding loan balance reaches 98% of the maximum claim amount. HUD will continue to administer your HECM reverse mortgage.  
Maturity
Q: What is a maturity event?
A:  A maturity event is any event which may cause your reverse mortgage to be called due and payable.  Maturity events include:
1.        All borrowers have passed away
2.        All borrowers have sold property or conveyed title of the property to a third party
3.        The property is no longer the principal residence of at least one borrower for reasons other than death
4.        The borrower does not maintain the property as principal residence for a period exceeding 12 months because of physical or mental illness
5.        Borrower fails to pay property taxes and/or insurance and all attempts to rectify the situation have been exhausted
6.        The property is in disrepair and the borrower has refused or is unable to repair the property.
Payoffs
Q: Can I pay off my reverse mortgage before a maturity event is reached?
A: Yes.  You can pay your reverse mortgage in full at any time during the term of your reverse mortgage.
Q: How long will my estate have to pay off the reverse mortgage once it has been called due and payable?
A: The reverse mortgage is to be paid in full once it has been called due and payable.  You and/or your estate must work closely with your loan servicer to ensure your reverse mortgage is paid in full in a timely manner.  If arrangements to pay the reverse mortgage are not made with your loan servicer, then your loan servicer may proceed with foreclosure between 30 days and six months from when your loan has been called due and payable.  If you or your estate are actively working to either refinance your property or sell your property so as to satisfy your reverse mortgage, then foreclosure maybe forestalled.  
Non-recourse Provisions
Q: What does “non-recourse loan” mean?
A: Most reverse mortgage loans are considered “non-recourse loans."  This means that you can never owe more than the value of your home at the time you or your heirs sell your home to repay your reverse mortgage.  If your loan is a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage ("HECM"), the reverse mortgage debt may be satisfied by paying the lesser of the mortgage balance or 95% of the current appraised value of the home.


7/27/2017

Reverse Mortgage

Our aging population reaches retirement without the money  to meet their needs for monthly food, utilities and expenses. 
It's really not home sweet home if Mother or Grandmother can't afford good food, utilities or
things they need.

Tapping home equity via a HECM is a  solution to provide a sense of confidence and freedom to retirees.

Let's talk about using HECM to convert equity into liquid reserves,  if your family or someone you know is needing life-style improvement. 

Six  trillion dollars in equity available for Seniors.
Still many worry about getting a reverse mortgage


Do you have to tell everyone about your reverse mortgage?
No only those who live with you need to know. There are benefits to sharing this information with family members. Potential heirs will want to know how this affects  




Here are 5 reasons why you might want to tell your loved ones about getting a reverse mortgage:

1. Alleviate Any Concern You Might Be Reducing Their Inheritance
Some reverse mortgage borrowers are reluctant about heirs learning about reducing whatever home equity they could otherwise pass on as an inheritance.

However, research indicates that heirs not only do not care about receiving an inheritance, but they are also ready and willing to sacrifice their own finances to care for aging parents. A study found that 75 percent of adults with living parents were willing to sacrifice their own finances to help their parents.

And, research from HSBC found that Americans lean more toward spending all their money, with 23% saying they are inclined to do this, and only 9% believing it is better to save as much as possible to pass on to their hers. The remaining 68% say that they would like to spend some and hopefully pass on some too - which is indeed possible with a reverse mortgage.

Had parents taken a HELOC rather than a Reverse Mortgage, it too would be an obligation requiring payback and reducing equity to heirs.

By discussing your decision with potential heirs, you can learn about their concerns and you will likely find out that they support your decision to have taken a reverse mortgage and want you to be as financially comfortable as possible in retirement.

Do you have a Family Trust?  If not, look into it now!

2. No Misinformation About Heirs' Obligations
A reverse mortgage allows homeowners who are 62 or older to borrow their home equity. The loan accrues interest and is paid back when the borrower dies or moves out of the home. This means that the borrower's heirs will probably inherit less.

They still inherit the home, but must repay the reverse mortgage - usually by selling the property.

However, there is a lot of misinformation and misunderstandings about heir’s obligations. Many reverse mortgage borrowers and their heirs think that the house is completely lost or that it is going to be a burden to have to repay the loan.

However, heirs have options:

Keep Home: If the heirs wish to keep the home, they can pay off the reverse mortgage loan with their own money or a refinance.

Sell Home: More commonly, heirs opt to sell the home to pay off the loan.
Sometimes after the sale, there is money left over for the heirs to get an inheritance.
Other times, what is owed on the loan is actually more than the value of the home. However, since reverse mortgages are "non-recourse" loans, heirs will never be required to pay more than 95% of the home's appraised value-even if the loan balance grows to exceed the value of the home.
This link will take you to the details about Settling the Loan Account http://www.reversemortgage.org/Your-Roadmap/9-Settling-the-Loan-Account

3. Opportunity to Communicate What is Important to You
If you need or want money from a reverse mortgage now, but are concerned about taking away an inheritance, talk to your children about the pros and cons of the loan in light of your personal priorities. A professional Reverse Mortgage Loan Originator welcomes the opportunity to meet with adult children and other interested parties.

You can communicate what is important to you and why you want the money now. You can also express your concerns. If you have at least a fairly good relationship with your heirs, then it is likely to be a positive and supportive conversation.

4. Heirs Can Better Plan their Own Financial Future
By talking with your heirs about your decision to get a reverse mortgage, you give them the chance to better plan their own financial futures.

5. Insures a Smoother Estate Process
You can help your heirs by educating them about what happens to the reverse mortgage loan after your demise.

Ownership of the property passes to them and they will have all net equity. They can refinance the home and keep it, or sell it. They have all the options.


Do you have a Family Trust?  If not, look into it now!

It is important that they know that they must notify the servicer (lender) within 30 days of the homeowner's death of their intentions - what they plan to do with the home.

This early notification preserves the heir's options gives them up to 12 months to settle. If they don't notify the servicer, then the lender can act on their own.

Is a Reverse Mortgage Right for You?
Studies indicate that more than 90 percent of all households who have secured a Reverse Mortgage are extremely happy that they got the loan. People say that they have less stress and feel freer to live the life they want.

Instantly estimate your Reverse Mortgage loan amount or, assess your suitability for these loans. You also get personalized commentary on various aspects of the loan and how they will impact your retirement. 



I can help! C G Barbeau (949) 784-9699
NMLS #324982


Send this article along to others you know.


Our aging population increasingly reaches retirement with  limited reserves to meet their needs for their later years. Relax in your home sweet home without worry.

Tapping home equity via a HECM is one of the best solutions to provide a sense of confidence and freedom to retirees.

Home equity among the elderly rose to $6.3 trillion in the first quarter of 2017 from $6.13 trillion in Q4 of 2016, according to data from the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association.

Maryland Financing Agreement




Maryland Senate Bill 392 eliminates the required use of the Maryland Financing Agreement for all loan transactions subject to the TILA / RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) rules beginning 7/1/2017.  Perhaps others will drop the duplication of information which causes confusion for mortgage borrowers

Ellie Mae discontinued this document on July 18th for all loans subject to TRID. 

Please note that Maryland Financing Agreements provided from July 1st through July 17th for TRID loans are not subject to regulatory scrutiny.



7/26/2017

Sink or Swim? Check with City Planning or NO?

Before you sell check with your California County or city
But decide first do you want to make this public information?

to see if there are restrictions regarding
Planning, safety, Permits, Lack of Permits, Health issues

Not asking in advance could cause disclosure problems,  hiccups at closing and liability.
If the home has un-permitted additions
some cities may force the homeowner
to revert to original.
Ask your Realtor what's the right decision

Here is a list of California cities and county planning contacts which may not include
all of them.
For example residents in Moss Beach found, though unincorporated, appointed Design Review members take interpreting the law into their own hands. They may force residents to take down structures which are built to code years ago.

Better to know before you buy or sell.
Note BEFORE you call or ask consider ---
Do you want them to snoop about the address?

Fish underwater...



Who to contact in California
CityDepartment Phone Website
AzusaCommunity Improvement (626) 812-5265www.ci.azusa.ca.us
BellBuilding & Safety Division(323) 588-6211 x298www.cityofbell.org
Canyon LakePlanning and Compliance (951) 244-6841 x310www.canyonlakepoa.com
CarsonBuilding & Safety Division(310) 952-1766http://ci.carson.ca.us
ComptonBuilding & Safety Division(310) 605-5509www.comptoncity.org
CudahyBuilding & Safety Division(323) 773-5143 x222www.cityofcudahy.com
El MonteBuilding Divison(626) 580-2050www.ci.el-monte.ca.us
GardenaCommunity Development(310) 217-9530www.cityofgardena.org
Hawaiian GardensPlanning Divison(562) 420-2641 x246www.hgcity.org
Hermosa BeachCode Enforcement(310) 318-0234www.hermosabch.org
Huntington ParkBuilding & Safety Division (323) 584-6271www.hpca.gov
InglewoodBuilding Safety(310) 412-5294www.cityofinglewood.org
Laguna BeachBuilding Division(949) 497-0715www.lagunabeachcity.net
LawndaleBuilding and Safety (310) 973-3230www.lawndalecity.org
Los AngelesData and Records   (213) 482-6777www.ladbs.org
LynwoodBuilding, Safety & Planning(310) 603-0220 www.lynwood.ca.us
Manhattan BeachBuilding and Safety (310) 802-5505www.ci.manhattan-beach.ca.us
MaywoodBuilding and Planning(323) 562-5724www.cityofmaywood.com
Newport BeachBuilding Division(949) 644-3200www.newportbeachca.gov
OxnardBuilding Inspection(805) 385-7840www.oxnard.org
Palm SpringsFire Department(760) 323-8181www.palmspringsca.gov
Palos Verdes EstatesBuilding and Safety (310) 378-0383www.pvestates.org
PasadenaCode Compliance(626) 744-8633www.cityofpasadena.net
Port HuenemeBuilding & Safety(805) 986-6500www.ci.port-hueneme.ca.us
Redondo BeachBuilding & Safety Division(310) 318-0636www.redondo.org
Rolling Hills EstatesPlanning Divison (310) 377-1577 www.ci.rolling-hills-estates.ca.us
San FernandoBuilding and Safety (818) 898-1231www.ci.san-fernando.ca.us
San MarinoPermits & Inspections(626) 300-0711www.ci.san-marino.ca.us
Signal HillBuilding & Safety(562) 989-7348www.cityofsignalhill.org
South GateBuilding & Safety Division (323) 563-9549www.cityofsouthgate.org
VenturaBuilding & Safety(805) 654-7869www.cityofventura.net