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• All borrowers must be 62 years or older.
• The home must be the borrower's primary residence.
• The borrower must have enough equity in the home to qualify.
• The borrower must undergo a financial assessment to ensure capability and willingness to continue paying for property taxes, homeowners insurance and home maintenance.

2. Reverse-mortgage loan is a loan of last resort. Reverse mortgage loans used to be through of as a last ditch effort to get cash while retired While many financial products are created for a single purpose, reverse-mortgage loans are not "one size fits all. Homeowners have the flexibility to use a reverse-mortgage loan in several different ways such as a lump sum, monthly installments or a line of credit.

3. My spouse or I can be thrown out of the house when one of us dies. When HECM reverse mortgage loan, borrowers still retain ownership of the home as long as they continue to pay for home maintenance, property taxes and homeowners insurance and meet the terms of the loan. As with any loan including traditional mortgages if the borrower does not comply with loan terms such as paying for property taxes then the property can be subject to foreclosure. HECM reverse-mortgage loans have safeguards that can help ensure that the borrower will be able to fulfill the loan terms for the life of the loan including:

• Eligible non-borrowing spouses are allowed to remain the home after the borrower of a HECM reverse-mortgage loan dies.
• The loan is non-recourse meaning the lender cannot collect more than the value of the home and the home is the only asset that can be used as collateral.
• Prospective borrowers are required to undergo independent third-party reverse mortgage counseling to ensure they understand the fine print that they can expect throughout the loan process what their responsibilities are and what other options might be available.
• The FHA established caps on the amount of money that can be drawn during the first year of the loan to help ensure that proceeds last as long as a borrower needs them

4. Reverse mortgage loans come with expensive fees and interest. As with any conventional home mortgage loan, there are fees that vary depending on the value of the home, loan terms, market conditions and interest rates. A reverse mortgage professional can help determine what the exact interest rates and associated fees are and will disclose your interest rate and fees before the loan is finalized. 

5. Your home has to be free and clear to qualify. According to FHA, to be eligible for a HECM reverse mortgage loan, you either need to own your home outright or hold enough equity to pay off the balance with a reverse mortgage. The balance you are allowed to have may vary depending on the home's value, borrower's age, and the loan's interest rate among other factors. One of the most important advantages of a reverse mortgage loan is the ability to pay off the existing mortgage and eliminate monthly mortgage payments. Paying off existing mortgages is also required as part of the reverse mortgage loan process.

6. The heirs will be responsible for paying back the loan. When the last surviving borrower or non borrowing spouse dies an heir of the executor of the estate has the option to sell the property and use the proceeds to repay the loan. In this case the remaining proceeds from the sale can be split among the heirs They also have the option to repay or refinance the loan and keep the home in the family. An important feature of the loan is that because of a reverse mortgage is a non-recourse loan, the home is the only collateral that the lender may access to pay off the loan balance. If the sale of the home does not cover the entire loan balance, then the FHA pays the difference.

7. The bank owns your home. With a reverse mortgage the borrower retains ownership and the loan is secured by a lien on the home. The borrower does not relinquish ownership using a reverse-mortgage loan but rather borrowers against the value of the home's equity.

Seniors can live comfortably and independently by making a few adjustments around the house:

a) Replace doorknobs with lever handles that are easier to open.
b) Increase lighting and replace toggle switches with either a dimmer or a rocker switch.
c) Install reflective tape at the edge of each steps and brightly colored bath mat for better visibility.
d) Secure an area rug with double-sided tape or hang it on the wall as a tapestry.
e) Select light fixtures with two bulbs.
f) Add a lazy Susan to corner shelves to make it easier to reach items at the back.
g) Replace a standard toilet with a comfort-height toilet which is 17 to 19 inches high.
h) Custom-build a moveable kitchen island.
i) Widen doorways for walker and wheelchair access.
j) Remove the bathtub and install a walk-in shower with a seat and a hand-help shower head.
k) Build a ramp or wheelchair access wherever you have steps.