
If you want to increase your income while staying at home during your golden years of retirement, you should consider taking out a reverse mortgage to borrow against your home equity. Here are some good-to-know benefits of a reverse mortgage.
What is a Reverse Mortgage?
If you’re at least 62 years old, you can borrow against your equity to get a line of credit to enjoy your retirement. This finance option is desirable amongst homeowners because you have full control over the money. Choose how you are paid, either in a lump sum, line of credit, or over installments.
To be eligible for a reverse mortgage, you need to meet other requirements like:
- You need to own the property outright or have paid down a large amount of the mortgage
- The property you want to take out the reverse mortgage with has to be your principal residence
- You cannot be delinquent on federal debt
- You are up-to-date on current property taxes, homeowners association fees, and insurance
- You meet the relevant credit score and income requirements
Ready to learn the benefits of a reverse mortgage?
The Benefits of a Reverse Mortgage
- Ideal for retirement. Reverse mortgages are a great retirement planning tool for people who don’t have many investments or savings but have a decent amount of wealth built up in their homes. They can be used to cover retirement expenses that your retirement income is not covering. Because you don’t have to make monthly payments, this can help free up some room in your monthly budget.
- No tax is paid on the income. The money you receive from the reverse mortgage is non-taxable unlike other retirement income from a 401(K) or IRA, because it is not considered as an income but rather “loan proceeds” by the IRS.
- You don’t have to leave your home. There’s a common myth that homeowners believe that once you take out a reverse mortgage, you will be forced out of your home. This is false. You must stay current with existing mortgages and home maintenance payments to remain in your home. It’s quite common for many homeowners to stay in their homes for the rest of their lives after taking out a reverse mortgage.
- You’re protected when the balance exceeds your home’s value. If your reverse mortgage balance eventually exceeds your home’s value, you don’t need to worry about paying that difference. Your mortgage insurance will cover that remaining balance. Because a reverse mortgage is known as “non-recourse” financing, the amount of debt you repay will never exceed the value of your property.
Apply for a Reverse Mortgage with Liberty Capital
Are you ready to start the application process for your reverse mortgage? Give our knowledgeable team at Liberty Capital Services a call at (614) 505-0620, and we will help you apply for a reverse mortgage in Columbus or anywhere in OH.