Reverse Mortgage - Turning Your Home into a Pot of Gold
The first baby boomers turn 62 as of January 2008. Because of this, many investors are scurrying to come up with new, innovative products to offer to the incredibly fast growing reverse mortgage market.
In days gone bay, consumers only had three reverse mortgage offers to choose from: 1. the FANNIE MAE HOME KEEPER, 2. the FHA HECM, and 3. JUMBO CASH ACCOUNT. Now that there is a booming market, seven new lenders that are now making available competing programs. And there are even more investors entering into this market.
As well as these private sector programs, new multiple-margin HECM offerings are now available, as well as an FHA/HECM FIXED rate option. This fixed rate option is something that has been long awaited by many consumers. Now, it is finally available.
From January through June of 2007, there was an amazing growth in the reverse mortgage industry unlike anything it has seen since it’s inception 17 years ago. Now, the reverse industry is catching up with the tradition “forward” mortgage in the sense that there are no more lenders. this kind of competition creates more products and offerings so that the needs of the senior customers can be satisfied.
One of the most exciting new products available today is the new “Purchase Reverse Loan”. This product is available to seniors who are in the market to either purchase a new home, to down size, or relocate close to family. The ability to use a reverse mortgage to purchase a new property while never having to make a mortgage payment is VERY appealing to all seniors.
Another exciting new product, is the use of a reverse mortgage to purchase a second home. Many seniors would love to have the option to have that summer home in the mountains, or that winter home in Arizona. Now, you can, payment free for life, with the use of a reverse mortgage. You can even, have two reverse loans at the same time, one on your existing home, and one on your vacation home. Imagine two homes, no payments!
If you are looking for a reverse mortgage, just make sure that you understand the programs that are available, as well as, the terminology so that you have confidence in the reverse mortgage process. This is especially important because not all lenders offer the same types of products and many of them have limited choices of investors to choose from.
As a final note, please be advised that you should look for a lender that is approved by the National Association of Reverse Mortgage Lenders (NRMLA). Currently, this is the only organization that oversees the ethical conduct of those in this industry.
