Reverse Mortgage Program Changes

The reverse mortgage industry has gone through many changes over the last 2 years as directed by The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  The most recent change has been the implementation of the financial assessment, which has been aimed to strengthen the HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage) program for the future.  HUD will now begin to evaluate the effects of all those changes to see whether those changes are working.  Reverse Mortgage Daily published a recent article which includes comments from HUD on the progress that has been made thus far.  Read the article here.

New Date Set for Financial Assessment

HUD announced on February 26, 2015 that the Financial Assessment guideline will now take effect on April 27, 2015.  HUD issued Mortgagee Letter 2015-06 confirming that Financial Assessment will be effective for all case numbers issued on or after April 27, 2015.  Click here  to read the entire mortgagee letter.

FHA Delays Reverse Mortgage Financial Assessment Date

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) just announced that they will delay implementing the reverse mortgage financial assessment guideline that was set to become effective in less than three weeks.  FHA is citing technical difficulties as the reason and expects the new effective date to be within 30 to 60 days of the previous March 2nd target date.  FHA announced on Feb. 12th that they will be publishing a new Mortgagee Letter that will outline the new date at which point the financial assessment will turn mandatory.  Stay tuned and visit www.reversemortgagebenefit.com for more information.

HUD Budget Shows Reverse Mortgage Program Back on Track

The Federal Government believes FHA and the reverse mortgage program have regained some financial footing. The agency is requesting an increase of nearly $4 billion over current funding levels showing their continued support towards the program.  Read more here.

HUD Says Reverse Mortgages Are a Good Option

The Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Julian Castro, recently stated that the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) can provide a boost in retirement for aging Americans in certain situations.  According to Castro, "While the loan doesn't fit for everyone, it can be a good option for those in the right circumstances trying to make it through retirement."  Zillow's Chief Economist, Stan Humphries, also added that a reverse mortgage can help older Americans age in place.  This was all part to an audience question during a fireside chat on January 21, 2015.  Read more here.

Financial Assessment Impact on Reverse Mortgage Lenders

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced last week the implementation of the Financial Assessment for the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM).  The reverse mortgage industry as a whole welcomes the new guideline to ensure the strength of the program in the long run and added protection for our senior consumers.  The financial assessment is aimed at providing accountability both for borrowers and lenders.  Lenders will be required to closely analyze a borrower's capability to afford and comply with reverse mortgage requirements, such as paying for property taxes and homeowner's insurance.  Some lenders are concerned that loan volume may decrease beginning in March 2, 2015 due to the change keeping some seniors from qualifying.  However, the industry is still working out how the language and criteria of the new rule will affect the lending process, so stay tuned for more information coming soon.

Breaking News: Reverse Mortgage Financial Assessment to Take Effect March 2015

HUD issued Mortgagee Letter 2014-22 on November 10, 2014, signaling the confirmation of the long anticipated Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) Financial Assessment and Property Charge Requirements.  The financial assessment requirements will be effective for all case numbers issued on or after March 2, 2015.  The purpose of the new requirements is to evaluate the mortgagor's (borrower) willingness and capacity to timely meet his or her financial obligations and to comply with the mortgage requirements.  The mortgagee (lender) must also consider to what extent the proceeds of the HECM could provide a solution to any financial difficulties the borrower may be currently having.  The borrower's income and credit history will be reviewed with the possibility of establishing an escrow account from the reverse mortgage proceeds to pay for future property tax and homeowner's insurance premiums.  Stay tuned for additional information as it becomes available.  

Texas and Non-Borrowing Spouses

As of August 8th 2014, the state of Texas is not allowing the new HUD rules on Non-Borrowing Spouses (NBS) regarding reverse mortgages.  The good news is that the spouse issue is not a constitutional issue and is expected to be resolved in the next month or two.  The National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) is currently working with HUD to amend Texas loan documents to allow for the implementation of the new NBS rules.  We will keep you posted as developments unfold.

Reverse Mortgage Non Borrowing Spouse Changes

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has made changes to non borrowing spouse requirements to allow the surviving spouse to defer the repayment of their spouse's reverse mortgage if they should pass away or need to move away.   In addition, this will allow a spouse who is not 62 at the time of acquiring a reverse mortgage to be included at inception.  HUD is in the process of releasing new loan tables for younger spouses under the age of 62.  This change will allow more reverse mortgage couples to qualify as well as provide equal protection for both spouses.  HUD's mortgagee letter can be viewed at:  http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=14-07ml.pdf

For more information on reverse mortgages:   www.reversemortgagebenefit.com

Reverse Mortgage Guideline Changes

The Department of Housing and Urban Development plans on publishing a Mortgagee Letter to provide guidelines on two separate policies.  The first addresses the non-borrowing spouse issue which will allow a spouse under the age of 62 to be placed on the reverse mortgage loan.  The second policy change will deal with financial assessment to help strengthen the program and protect borrowers.  The Mortgagee Letter is expected to be published in mid-February with an implementation 90 days after it is issued.

For up to date information on reverse mortgages, send a request to be contacted by a top reverse mortgage lender.  Visit:  www.reversemortgagebenefit.com.

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Reverse Mortgage Safeguards Vol.1

The vast majority of reverse mortgages today are federally insured by HUD.  This provides protection for both homeowners as well as lenders.  One protection for homeowners is they are guaranteed that the reverse mortgage program will always be made available to them once they have entered the program.  Lenders, on the other hand, are guaranteed that they will always receive the balance owed.  This is just one example of how the reverse mortgage program provides safeguards for both the consumer and lender.  In the coming series, Reverse Mortgage Safeguards, we will explore other areas of protection for consumers, lenders and the community.  Visit us at www.reversemortgagebenefit.com to learn more about reverse mortgages and send us a request to be put in touch with a reverse mortgage lender.