"Reverse Mortgage Seattle Bellevue Eastside Tacoma Everett"

HECM for Purchase

HECM for Purchase allows seniors, age 62 or older, to purchase a new principal residence using loan
proceeds from the reverse mortgage.

The program was designed to allow seniors to purchase a new principal residence and obtain a
reverse mortgage within a single transaction by eliminating the need for a second closing. The
program was also designed to enable senior homeowners to relocate to other geographical areas
to be closer to family members or downsize to homes that meet their physical needs, i.e.,
handrails, one level properties, ramps, wider doorways, etc.

All Seniors 62+ Qualify

The HECM for purchase will allow seniors to more easily qualify for a mortgage to complete the
purchase. With underwriting standards tightening, seniors will not have to worry about qualifying
using typical forward mortgage criteria. A reverse mortgage has no income, credit or health
qualifications. The loan is based upon the age of the youngest buyer, the appraised value of the home
(to a maximum of $625,000) or the current HECM lending limit of $417,000, whichever is less, and
current interest rates.

Properties That Do Not Qualify

Cooperative units;

* Newly constructed residence where a Certificate of Occupancy or its equivalent has not been issued by the appropriate authoruty

* Boarding houses;

* Bed and breakfast establishments;

* Existing manufactured homes built before June 15, 1976; and

* Existing manufactured homes built after June 15, 1976 that fail to conform to the Manufactured Home Construction Safety Standards, as evidenced by affixed certification labels (e.g., data plate and HUD ...certification label) and/or lack a permanent foundation as required in HUD’s Permanent Foundations ...for Manufactured Housing Guide.

Lending & Funding Q&A

Are gifts an acceptable source of funding?
No. Prospective mortgagors may only use their own money or money obtained from the sale of assets. FHA prohibits the use of loan discount points, interest rate buy downs, closing cost assistance, builder incentives, gifts or personal property given by the seller or any other party.

What would be an “allowable FHA funding source” for gap financing of the equity portion?
A withdrawal from the mortgagor’s savings or retirement account would be an acceptable funding source.

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Can prospective mortgagors apply credit card cash advances towards the required monetary investment or closing costs?
No. This would be a violation of 24 Code of Federal Regulations 206.32(a), which requires all outstanding obligations connected to the HECM transaction, purchase or otherwise, to be satisfied prior to or on the date of closing.

Is seller financing permitted? No

When purchasing a new principal residence, if the HECM proceeds do not cover the sales price, can part or all of the property’s indebtedness be subordinated behind the first and second HECM liens if the existing lien holder is willing to execute a subordinate agreement?
No. All existing liens must be satisfied at the HECM closing.

Can prospective mortgagors obtain a secured or non‐secured loan from another asset (i.e., car, home equity line of credit, or investment property or second home) to satisfy the monetary investment or closing costs?
No. Consistent with existing policy, bridge loans and other interim financing methods associated with HECM transactions are prohibited, unless the unpaid or outstanding obligation can be satisfied prior to or on the day of closing.

Should the lender obtain a credit report for non‐borrowing spouses?
Yes. Although one spouse will become the HECM mortgagor, the lender must obtain the credit report for a review of financial obligations, monetary judgments and liens that could jeopardize the HECM lien status/clear and marketable title.

Under what conditions may a senior cancel the purchase transaction?
The senior may decide to cancel the purchase transaction at any time prior to the date of closing. If the senior decides to cancel the transaction, he/she must notify all parties in writing. Where earnest money has been provided, the senior should review the sales contract to determine if the earnest money is refundable. The Federal Reserve Board of Governors
should be contacted for right of rescission and Truth in Lending Act guidance.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can the HECM mortgage participate in a rent back/leaseback agreement with the seller?
No. When purchasing a new principal residence, the HECM mortgagor has 60 days to occupy the home. Unlike a forward mortgage, there is an increased risk to FHA when the home is not occupiedby the HECM mortgagor. Prior to closing, the HECM mortgagor and seller should agree to a date for physical occupancy of the property and the lender should confirm occupancy prior to their submission of the case binder to the local HOC for endorsement.

Are the mortgage proceeds paid to the seller through escrow?
The title company (settlement agent) is responsible for disbursing funds in accordance with State law.

Are there special procedures for foreclosure homes that will serve as collateral for a purchase transaction?
No. FHA has sufficient valuation guidelines related to comparable sales and declining markets to address the resale of foreclosed properties. HUD has imposed a standard of accountability to which lenders, sponsor lenders, and loan correspondents will be held is the same as the standard used to impose civil money penalties for program violations, and that standard is one of knowing (actual knowledge) or had reason to know.

Does FHA have special eligibility requirements for first‐time homebuyers?
No. FHA encourages all first‐time homebuyers to meet with a reverse mortgage counselor that offers pre‐purchase counseling to educate themselves on the responsibilities of becoming a homeowner. Prior to signing a sales contract, FHA encourages a home inspection of all properties that will serve as collateral for HECM for purchase transactions. The inspection serves two purposes, to determine the magnitude, if any, of repairs and/or rehabilitation the home as well as helps the buyer to negotiate the purchase price in situation where a home requires repair or rehabilitation.

FACTS ABOUT THE LOAN PROGRAM

Reverse mortgages are unique loans that enable senior homeowners,
62 and over, to convert a portion of their home’s equity into income
without having to sell the home, give up title, or take on a new monthly mortgage payment. The HECM reverse mortgage loan is a federally insured FHA loan.

You can choose to receive the money from a reverse mortgage all at once as a lump sum, tenure monthly payments (for up to life), a term monthly
payment, as a line of credit, or a combination of these. The most popular
option – chosen by more than 60 percent of borrowers – is the line of credit,
which allows you to draw on the loan proceeds at any time.

The financed cost for a reverse mortgage consists of 2% of the home
value with a cap at $6000. An additional 2% for the MIP based on home value or Lending Limit which ever is less. There are the standard closing costs that cover the appraisal, title insurance, recording fees…etc. Nothing ever out of pocket.

SENIOR FACTS

There are currently 34 million Americans age 65 and older. This number is expected to double within 20 years. Nearly 80% of senior Americans are homeowners, yet some are finding it challenging to
maintain their financial independence at a time when they have untapped home equity.

Today, a 65‐year‐old may typically live to age 83. For married couples, the average life expectancy of at least one spouse is 92…. Given that, if a married person retires at age 62, the couple will potentially need
sufficient income for another 30 years.

Only 19% of all private sector workers have a traditional pension plan, down from 40% thirty years ago. Approximately 45% of all homeowners age 60 to 69 still have monthly mortgage payments,
while an additional 25% age 70 to 79 are still making monthly mortgage payments. Many need to downsize.

13% of senior Americans are renting and would like to consider purchasing a home of their own.