Reverse Mortgage Division | Fairfield Mortgage Atlanta

Question: What states are you able to originate a reverse mortgage in?

Answer: At this time, we are able to offer reverse mortgages in all 50 states & the Carribean.

Question: What is the difference between a home equity line of credit and a reverse mortgage?

Answer: A home equity line of credit will also release equity in your home in the form of cash to be spent as you like. The main difference is that a home equity line of credit will need to be paid back monthly as do all forward mortgages. A reverse mortgage does not have to be repaid until you sell your home or no longer occupy the residence.

Question: What happens to the liens I have against the property?

Answer: Housing repair grants and other miscellaneous grants usually do not have to be paid off. Any mortgages or federal liens must be paid off prior to or at the closing of your reverse mortgage. This includes but is not limited to mortgages, a home equity line of credit, property tax liens, etc.

Question: How much is due when I repay the loan?

Answer: The original loan amount plus accrued interest will be paid once you sell or no longer occupy the residence.

Question: What if I owe more than my home is worth?

Answer: Reverse mortgages are considered non-recourse loans meaning you cannot owe more than the value of your home. Your assets and your heirs’ assets are never taken into account when it comes to lending a reverse mortgage. Your home serves as the only collateral.

Question: Will I have an estate that I can leave to my heirs?

Answer: Once you no longer occupy the residence, your estate will repay the loan balance with proceeds from the sale of the property or by refinancing the transaction. In the first case, the estate will retain any additional proceeds from the sale. If your estate decides to refinance, they will retain the home and any additional equity.

Question: Are the proceeds from my reverse mortgage taxable income?

Answer: The Internal Revenue Service considers your reverse mortgage proceeds loan advances and not taxable income.

Question: Will the extra income I receive from my reverse mortgage affect my Social Security, Medicare, or pension benefits?

Answer: At this time, reverse mortgages do not affect the benefits listed. Your reverse mortgage proceeds can affect your Medicaid and Supplemental Social Security income if not spent in the month that they are received. For your individual situation contact your local Agency on Aging and a financial advisor. The rules and regulations can vary state by state.

Question: How do I know how much my home is worth?

Answer: It never hurts to check with a local real estate agent or appraiser to give you an estimate on the value for little to no charge. To play it safe, you can check the taxable value online in many counties. The tax assessment is a good starting point, but it may not accurately reflect current market conditions. A full interior/exterior appraisal will be ordered after application to nail down a specific amount.

Question: What if my home is in a “living trust”?

Answer: Homes placed in a “living trust” will qualify for a reverse mortgage. The “living trust” documents will be reviewed by a real estate attorney for approval.

Question: I am the Power of Attorney for my mother who would like a reverse mortgage, can I handle the transaction on her behalf?

Answer: As Power of Attorney, you will be able to be the main contact person, but the homeowner listed on the title must attend counseling and sign the application documents. The Department of Housing and Urban Development requires the homeowner to act on their own behalf unless they have a doctor’s note citing mental incompetency based on a particular reason.

Question: Who pays my real estate taxes and homeowner’s insurance?

Answer: The homeowner will be responsible for paying his/her own taxes and insurance premiums. In the case the homeowner does not have an insurance policy on the house, we will help with setting one up prior to closing.

Question: How long does it take to close my reverse mortgage?

Answer: The typical amount of time from application to closing for a reverse mortgage is 45 to 60 days.

Question: How are rates determined and how often do they adjust?

Answer: Rates are determined weekly based on the information found below. There are three main reverse mortgage products, each with different rate characteristics.

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (Monthly Adjustable)

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (Annually Adjustable)

Fannie Mae Homekeeper Reverse Mortgage

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