THE HECM LINE OF CREDIT, A LINE OF CREDIT THAT GROWS!
Having an Advantage That Works-HECM vs HELOC
The advantage of growing your money with an FHA HECM line of credit is an important part of the reverse mortgage. It is an adjustable rate loan. There is a FIXED HECM, but the FIXED HECM does not offer a line of credit. Additionally, the FIXED HECM is a cash-out transaction offering only one draw at closing.
The amount of cash with a FIXED HECM is lower at closing than with the FHA Adjustable Rate HECM because there is only ONE draw for borrowers with the fixed, not TWO as with the FHA HECM adjustable. Additionally, there is no line of credit with the FIXED HECM. You will be provided with an amortization schedule showing the growth rate on your HECM line of credit over the years. If rates stay the same, your money grows at that interest rate plus an additional one half percent. Since it's an adjustable, rates can go down, but rates can go up -- if rates go up, your money is still growing exponentially! And the money is compounded.
MANY HOMEOWNERS CHOOSE HELOCS FOR CASH OUT ON THEIR HOME. WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? ARE THERE ADVANTAGES WITH THE HECM ?
Here are some of the advantages of the HECM line of credit vs the HELOC/Home Equity Line of Credit:
* With a HELOC, you need a certain credit score to qualify plus you will have to make monthly mortgage payments. Your credit is reviewed with a HECM, but there is no minimum credit score requirement and no monthly mortgage payments required.
* While both the reverse mortgage line of credit and the conventional HELOC only accrue interest on monies drawn, only the reverse mortgage line of credit has a growth rate on the unused portion of funds.
* The FHA HECM unused line of credit grows over time at the compounding interest rate charged on the loan, and as mentioned, an added 1/2%. This gives borrowers greater borrowing power as the amount of money available for the future keeps increasing year after year. For example, if you took out the HECM line of credit at age 62 or 65 and left it untouched for 10 or 15 years, your money would have grown considerably. At that point, you can withdraw all or part of your remaining line of credit. Note: If you do not use the line of credit, it is not owed.
* With a HELOC, the line of credit can be frozen by the lender at will thereby stopping you from accessing funds. This can occur if there is a reduction in the credit limit on your home equity line. The HECM line of credit cannot be closed at the lender's discretion and remains open so the funds are there when you need them. When is the line closed? The HECM line of credit stays open until the last HECM borrower no longer resides in the home as their primary residence.
* Draw period for a HELOC compared to HECM: The draw period for a HELOC is typically 10 years or even 20, but there is no draw period on the HECM line of credit.
* Payments to the reverse mortgage are placed back into the line of credit so the line has more funds available to the borrower.
NOTE: With the FHA HECM, there are two draws of proceeds which will occur: one at closing, the second 365 days after funding and set up as a GROWING line of credit. HUD, Housing and Urban Development, one of the executive departments of the federal government, regulates the HECM program and all its parameters as well as oversees FHA, Federal Housing Administration. FHA is part of HUD and responsible for insuring FHA loans by providing mortgage insurance for loans through FHA-approval lenders. FHA mortgage insurance protects lenders against losses. https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/fhahistory
Maximizing Your Portfolio With a HECM
Market Swings Can Be Offset by the FHA HECM
Financial planners used to give reverse mortgages a bad rap. But reverse mortgages can be a valuable financial planning tool which can help retirees cover many of their lifestyle expenses and enhance their retirement portfolios. Financial planners often discuss with their clients portfolio distribution and portfolio sustainability as well as housing wealth. For those who still work, being ready for retirement should include how much of your wealth is wrapped up in home equity as an asset. The question is, how much of your retirement income is coming from your 401(k) or other securities portfolios?
For those retired clients who draw on their portfolios for income, portfolio exhaustion has to be considered as well as considering using home equity as an asset, another source of retirement income. Speak with your financial advisor and get their professional opinion on how your home equity might enhance your retirement portfolio. Reverse mortgages have been used in creative ways to add to a client's portfolio Ask for a free proposal that you can share with your financial planner.
Sooner Than Later - the HECM Advantage
Rather than obtaining your reverse mortgage out of sheer need or waiting until you are older, some borrowers take out the reverse mortgage to avoid future financial surprises. Additionally, taking out the HECM sooner than later maximizes the growth of the HECM line of credit for those with significant equity and a good size line of credit. After time, the line of credit and monies available would be larger, therefore, the line of credit is a great option for those not needing the money right away.
Your Retirement Income Plan - Line of Credit
HUD has designed the reverse mortgage to ensure borrowers have all the resources they need as the loan progresses throughout their lifetime. (Naturally, this all depends on how much money they qualify for and the size of their line of credit). Financial planners who study income plans often see the benefits of reverse mortgages and the advantages of using home equity for retirement income rather than using their portfolios.
There is a reverse mortgage proprietary product for higher-value homes with a line of credit that is different from the FHA HECM. It is not available in every state, however. Ask your reverse mortgage professional to provide a proposal showing the FHA HECM and the Proprietary Reverse Mortgage jumbo products for your comparison.
Free Quote - No Obligation
Since this loan can be tailored to YOUR financial needs, we will work up different scenarios so you can choose which one works best for you. Cash out, line of credit, monthly draw or a combination of all three. Be among the many who enhanced their retirement with a reverse mortgage.
Dr. Wade Pfau on Reverse Mortgages
When it comes to financial planning, Dr. Wade Pfau's comments about home equity and reverse mortgages are helpful.
"Home equity represents about 66% of the average retired American’s wealth, so using it as a potential source of funds if you’re strapped for cash makes sense — even if costs are higher now."
“Research in the financial planning profession consistently shows that reverse mortgages can improve retirement planning outcomes,” said Pfau, who has written a book about the products. “It helps to have another source of funds outside an investment portfolio that can provide a backstop for people.”
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/30/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-reverse-mortgages-.html
Contact KATHIE ADLER 888-843-9797 or 631-804-9044
