Page 1 - AAG041_Your Guide Flyer
P. 1

Your Guide to Home Equity                                                  Common Uses of HECM
                                                                                  Loan Proceeds
       Conversion Mortgages
                                                                                  3 Eliminate monthly

                                                                                     mortgage payments (A
       Use a portion of your greatest asset - your                                   requirement of the loan;

       home equity - to fund a better retirement.                                    Borrower must continue
                                                                                     to pay property taxes,
                                                                                     homeowners insurance, and
       HECM loans                                                                    home maintenance costs.)

       Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs), also known as reverse mortgage   3 Make retirement savings

       loans, help American homeowners age 62 and older convert a portion of their   last longer.
       home equity into tax-free cash. HECMs are insured by the Federal Housing
       Administration (FHA) and allow seniors more financial security as well as the   3  Use a HECM line of credit
       ability to age in place.
                                                                                     to build a safety net for
                                                                                     unplanned emergencies,
       How does it work?                                                             home repairs and

       A HECM loan allows you to turn some of the equity in your home into cash      healthcare expenses,
       to improve your lifestyle. You will continue to live in your home and retain   or preserve investment
       ownership without monthly mortgage payments. The loan balance will be         accounts during market
       repaid when the last borrower or eligible, non-borrowing spouse has left      downturns.
       the home or does not otherwise comply with the loan terms. (Borrower
       must continue to pay property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and home       3 Supplement your

       maintenance costs.) The amount you receive is based on the age of the         retirement income with
       youngest borrower or eligible non-borrowing spouse, appraised value of the    monthly payments.
       home, and the current interest rates.
                                                                                  3 Use a HECM for Purchase

       HECM Has Built-in Safeguards to Better Protect Borrowers                      loan to buy a home that
                                                                                     better fits your needs.
         The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has
       put safeguards in place to protect borrowers and improve HECM loans.
                                                                                  3  Support aging in place

                                                                                     expenses, like caregiving
             FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT Changes to HECM loans require a thorough           and home modifications.
           evaluation of the potential borrower’s ability to meet the financial
           obligations of the loan terms such as the ability to pay for homeowner’s
           insurance, property taxes, and home maintenance.


             NON-BORROWING SPOUSE HECMs are available to borrowers with an        Tom Selleck,
           eligible, non-borrowing spouse (one under the age of 62), with rules in   AAG Spokesperson
           place to allow such spouses to remain in the home, even if the borrower
           passes away, provided they continue to honor the terms of the loan.


             COUNSELING Before loan approval, potential borrowers must complete
           a counseling session with an FHA-approved counselor. The counselor will
           ensure that borrowers understand all of their options and are in a position
           to decide if a HECM loan is right for them.


       AAG041
   1   2