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FAQs

What our customers are asking.

A reverse mortgage is a loan that enables homeowners and homebuyers age 55* or older to convert some of their home equity into cash or a line of credit. Some loans also let homeowners finance a new home purchase. With a reverse mortgage, you make no loan payments†. You continue to live in and own your home.

Unlike a traditional home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC), you don’t have to repay a reverse mortgage until the home is sold** or the last surviving borrower (or a non-borrowing spouse who meets certain requirements) no longer lives in the home. The homeowners must maintain the condition of the home and stay current with property taxes and hazard insurance.

*For certain HomeSafe® products only, excluding Massachusetts, New York, and Washington, where the minimum age is 60, and North Carolina, Texas, and Utah, where the minimum age is 62.

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To be eligible for a reverse mortgage, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You must be age 55* or older.
  • The home must be the borrowers’ primary residence.
  • The home must meet Federal Housing Authority (FHA) minimum property standards and flood requirements.
  • The home must be one of the following property types: single-family home; a two- to four-unit home with one unit occupied by the borrower; or a HUD-approved condominium. With new construction, you must have a Certificate of Occupancy or equivalent before you apply.
  • You must have sufficient home equity. A Reverse Mortgage Specialist from Finance of America Reverse LLC (FAR) can tell you if you have enough home equity to qualify.

*For certain HomeSafe® products only, excluding Massachusetts, New York, and Washington, where the minimum age is 60, and North Carolina, Texas, and Utah, where the minimum age is 62.

You may receive a portion of your home equity. How much depends on a number of factors, including the age of the youngest borrower or non-borrowing spouse, your home value, the amount of equity, FHA lending limits, the current interest rate, and the reverse mortgage product and payment option you choose. An FAR Reverse Mortgage Specialist can give you a free quote that’s tailored to your specific situation.

Up-front costs may include a property appraisal fee, origination fee, closing costs, mortgage insurance premium, a modest charge for HECM counseling (if applicable), and a servicing fee. You can roll most of the up-front costs into the loan to minimize out-of-pocket expenses. While closing costs vary based upon the type and size of the loan, they’re similar to those for any traditional mortgage. During the life of the loan, interest and a monthly insurance premium accrue. An FAR Reverse Mortgage Specialist will give you a detailed breakdown of the up-front costs and loan expenses.

You do not have to make principal and interest payments as long as the home remains your primary residence. As long as you meet the loan terms, you do not have to repay a reverse mortgage until the home is sold or the last surviving borrower (or a non-borrowing spouse who meets certain requirements) no longer lives in the home as their primary residence.

Reverse mortgages typically don’t impact regular Social Security or Medicare benefits. But because programs vary from state to state, be sure to consult a benefits professional before entering into a reverse mortgage.

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