What the heck is a "reverse mortgage"?

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AMDZen

Lifer
Apr 15, 2004
12,589
0
76
I won't say its a scam, but its a raw deal for most people and even for those that its not a bad deal for - its still a much better deal for the bank.

Then again what isn't.

 

MixMasterTang

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2001
3,167
176
106
Originally posted by: AmigaMan
Originally posted by: Mwilding
It's your money, use it when YOU need it!

damn I hate that commercial. ;)
RANT: "If you were frickin responsible to begin with you would have your money and someone wouldn't have to manage it for you idiot! But you are too stupid and would lose all of your settlement/whatever money on hookers and blow so we have to handhold your simple-minded ass and manage it for you. But if you want to pay some lawyers a hugeass fee to sue us, then we'll oblige and let you have your money, but don't come crying to us in two weeks when you're out on the streets wondering where your money is, ass."

Not that what you are saying isn't true about SOME people, but what about someone who was in a bad accident, cannot work and has a ton of medical bills and they were awarded a settlement for their accident to where they get $20,000 a year for the next 50 years (or something like that). Do you think those people have not been responsible and will blow all of their money on hookers and blow?
 

Beattie

Golden Member
Sep 6, 2001
1,774
0
0
It's not a scam, but it's generally a bad idea. If you want money in exchange for your house, take out another mortgage.
 

runzwithsizorz

Diamond Member
Jan 24, 2002
3,497
14
76
Originally posted by: Beattie
It's not a scam, but it's generally a bad idea. If you want money in exchange for your house, take out another mortgage.

And repay it with what? Maybe their social security, and pension is only about $1800 a month.
$150.000 home equity loan, payments = ? , oh look granny, theres enough money left over to finally go on that cruise.
 
Jun 27, 2005
19,216
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Originally posted by: Beattie
It's not a scam, but it's generally a bad idea. If you want money in exchange for your house, take out another mortgage.

I don't think you understand how a RM works... The idea is to receive income, not accrue more debt. It's not for everyone but in most cases it's better than taking out a mortgage.
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,786
6,345
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Originally posted by: runzwithsizorz
Originally posted by: Beattie
It's not a scam, but it's generally a bad idea. If you want money in exchange for your house, take out another mortgage.

And repay it with what? Maybe their social security, and pension is only about $1800 a month.
$150.000 home equity loan, payments = ? , oh look granny, theres enough money left over to finally go on that cruise.

You don't need to repay it. If you live beyond the Payout, you can still live in the house as long as you're Alive.
 

MaxDepth

Diamond Member
Jun 12, 2001
8,757
43
91
Actually, it started out as a way for the children of parents, who own a home, to provide income to their parents and retain the house. Basically, it is a way for avoiding taxes by the children after the death of their parents.

The children, not a bank or some other lending institution, make the payments.
 

RaiderJ

Diamond Member
Apr 29, 2001
7,582
1
76
Originally posted by: Greenman
It is legit. A lot of older people have very little income, no savings, and a ton of equity. A reverse mortgage allows them to stay in their home and live a good life off of the equity. It's not like they can take the money with them.

Exactly.
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
But the terms seem way too variable. Why not get a fixed interest rate HELOC or 2nd mortgage, invest it and live off that?
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: Beattie
It's not a scam, but it's generally a bad idea. If you want money in exchange for your house, take out another mortgage.

hahahahahahhah talk about missing the point.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: spidey07
But the terms seem way too variable. Why not get a fixed interest rate HELOC or 2nd mortgage, invest it and live off that?

because you still have to pay off the heloc and 2nd mortgage? even with investing it won't work.


this way you get paid a monthly payment. for some its good (though i have other problems with it).

 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Originally posted by: spidey07
But the terms seem way too variable. Why not get a fixed interest rate HELOC or 2nd mortgage, invest it and live off that?

investing is doing really well right now for many :confused:.

A reverse mortgage is a guaranteed payment. It's like bonds vs stocks.
 

NanoStuff

Banned
Mar 23, 2006
2,981
1
0
The best thing to do is sign up for both a mortgage and reverse mortgage at the same time. This way you get a house without ever paying for it, the two cancel out.