finance
Eligibility criteria for a reverse mortgage
A reverse mortgage allows senior homeowners to monetize the equity in their homes. The money may be used to meet financial requirements post-retirement. Such a mortgage is available to people aged 62 years and above. A reverse mortgage provides tax-free cash with no monthly installments. However, stringent guidelines and rules apply to reverse mortgage loans. The most common type of reverse mortgage is the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Eligibility criteria To qualify for a HECM loan, here are the reverse mortgage eligibility criteria you need to meet: You need to be at least 62 years old. The home should be your primary residence, and you should be a resident of that property for a year or more. You should own the home, or a low balance should be outstanding on your home mortgage; the balance should be paid off before closing the HECM reverse mortgage. There should be no delinquency on the federal debt, such as income tax or student loans; however, the amount received from the reverse mortgage may be used to repay such loans. Some portion of the reverse mortgage loan amount should be set aside to meet expenses, such as property taxes, maintenance and repair costs, and insurance.