According to an article in The Wall Street Journal, reverse mortgages are gaining in popularity and variety in product.  Where in previous years, reverse mortgages were typically a last resort for elderly homeowners facing foreclosure, now people as young as 60 are eligible to take reverse mortgages on their home for indulgences such as travel.  The minimum age has gone down, and so have the number of products available.   This is because more private investors are purchasing reverse mortgages that were typically only purchased by Fannie Mae, in hopes of packaging them and selling them down the road.  Keep an eye out for the high fees charged, though.  Some banks will charge as little as 2% of the home's value, while others can charge as high as 7%.  Follow this link to read the full article:

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomeFinancing/TheHottestMortgagesTheyPayYou.aspx?page=1

 

3 Comments on Reverse Mortgages Gaining Popularity

DEC
13
2007
164,178 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Great Information - thanks for sharing, Shari
1:31pm • #1

This sounds almost like the subprime market.  Where a person who couldn't get a $1000.00 limit on a retail store card could get a 500,000 home. It almost sounds like they are targeting the private investor by lowering the qualifying age.

3:54pm • #2
JAN
03
2008

I hope that seniors look into all the facts when taking a reverse motgage.  I think it can be good for some but have some suprises for others.

 

Sharon

8:28pm • #3

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Shari Walker (LICENSED IN DC, MD, & VA)

Washington, DC

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Long & Foster Realtors

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