20 Reasons People Have Chosen a Reverse Mortgage in San Diego and California
Reverse Mortgages have emerged as a compelling option for older homeowners seeking to add security to their financial future. They offer a unique opportunity to tap into a portion of their home's equity without having to sell or move. In recent years, reverse mortgages have gained popularity for their flexibility and the many things people can do with them.
A Reverse Mortgage can offer the ability to supplement retirement income, fund home improvements or to provide a safety net for unexpected expenses. For many older California homeowners these innovative loans have become a valuable leg of their retirement plan. While there are so many reasons people get a reverse mortgage for themselves, we explore the top 20 reasons why people choose reverse mortgages. We would love to have a conversation with you about what a reverse mortgage might offer you.
We hope you find inspiration in this list.
How would you use a reverse mortgage?
Your Guide to 20 Reasons People Have Secured a California Reverse Mortgage
Presented by Accurate Reverse Mortgage Corp in San Diego California
Reason 1: Eliminate the Monthly Mortgage Payment on a Traditional Mortgage *
If you still have a traditional mortgage with a monthly payment - refinancing into a reverse can get rid of the monthly payment as reverse mortgages have no monthly mortgage payment requirements. * Borrower do still need to occupy home as their primary residence plus continue to pay the ongoing property taxes, homeowners insurance, hoa dues (if any) and home maintenance to meet loan requirements. Do those things and you don't have to make any monthly mortgage payments!
Reason 2: Fund Home Improvement Projects or Repairs
A reverse mortgage can provide the funds for things like a new kitchen, bathroom remodel, windows, doors, flooring, ongoing repairs and more.
Reason 3: Supplement Retirement Income
A reverse mortgage can boost cash flow to help supplement social security, pensions and retirement savings.
Reason 4: Create a Line-of-Credit For Future Needs
Similar to a traditional HELOC (home equity line of credit) but with some exciting features only a reverse mortgage can offer such as a lifetime draw and built in growth feature (on the hecm reverse program).
Reason 5: Cover Medical and Dental Bills
With the rising cost of healthcare these days - funds from a reverse mortgage can be a great solution to cover medical and dental bills.
Reason 6: Consolidate Credit Card Debts Into the Reverse To Lower Expenses
Funds can be drawn from the reverse mortgage and used to payoff credit cards and consolidate them into the reverse mortgage to dramatically lower monthly expenses.
Reason 7: Gift Children and Grandkids an Early Inheritance
Help your kids, grandkids or a family member out today while you are still alive by gifting them some of the funds from the reverse mortgage. Help them with a down-payment to buy a home or go to college. Instead of them waiting for you to die and inherit part of your estate you can gift it to them while you are alive and enjoy helping them today.
Reason 8: Maintain Current Lifestyle
On a fixed income it can be often more difficult to maintain the lifestyle one had when working. A reverse mortgage can provide additional funds for the older homeowner to maintain the lifestyle they love.
Reason 9: Pay Property Taxes and Homeowners Insurance Bills
Funds can be drawn from the line-of-credit can be used to pay the property taxes and homeowner insurance bills. Additionally there is an option called a "LESA" - Lifetime Expectancy Set Aside where the reverse mortgage pays those expenses directly (a LESA must be established at time of loan origination and not all reverse mortgages have this feature).
Reason 10: Create An "Emergency Fund" For Unexpected Expenses
Having additional funds in the form of a line-of-credit or a reserve bank account can leave the older homeowner on a fixed income better prepared for unexpected expenses such as medical bills or home repairs.
Reason 11: Cover In-Home Care Expenses
Many people have secured a reverse mortgage to have additional funds to cover the cost of in-home care so they can avoid needing to go to assisted living or a nursing home.
Reason 12: Delay Timing of Drawing Social Security To Maximize Benefits
With this strategy which should be coordinated with your financial advisor, early in retirement years, funds from the reverse mortgage are utilized instead of electing to draw social security benefits. Delaying drawing social security generally means a higher monthly benefit later. This should not be taken as tax or financial planning advice. Borrower should seek the advice of a tax planner or financial advisor.
Reason 13: Fund Building an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) For Extra Rental Income or a Family Member To Live In.
California in recent years has become very supportive of homeowners building an ADU - Accessory Dwelling Unit. A reverse mortgage can be an excellent source of funding such project. Having an ADU can allow for a caregiver or family member to live on site or can be an excellent form of rental income. It's important to note the borrower must continue to occupy the home as their primary residence, but renting out a accessory dwelling unit is allowed.
Reason 14: Advanced Estate Planning
Many savvy and affluent homeowners have incorporated a reverse mortgage into their comprehensive estate and financial plans. We are happy to coordinate or have conversations with your estate attorney or financial advisors. There are an increasing number of sophisticated ways to use reverse mortgages.
Reason 15: Fund Travel and Leisure Activities
The extra money from a reverse mortgage has allowed many reverse mortgage borrowers to take dream vacations, cruises and pursue many hobbies and leisure activities.
Reason 16: Create a "Standby Bear Market Account" For Stock Market Volatility
This type of strategy should be coordinated with your financial advisor. But the strategy is simple, when the stock market declines or enters a "bear market", instead of drawing on invested assets and selling at depressed prices, funds from a reverse mortgage line-of-credit are drawn and utilized instead. This allows investment assets to remain invested and offers them time to recover. This is NOT Financial Advice - Borrower should consult their financial advisor if they want to explore this strategy.
Reason 17: Purchase a Home With a Reverse Mortgage
Downsize and buy the next home with all the benefits and safeguards of a reverse mortgage. Discover the Reverse For Purchase available as a HECM Reverse Mortgage or a Jumbo Proprietary Reverse for higher valued homes. Or draw some funds from the reverse on the home you live in to use for the down payment on a rental property for additional income.
Reason 18: Access Funds Without Capital Gains Taxes **
This is another sophisticated strategy that many savvy homeowners utilize with a reverse mortgage. Capital gains taxes are generally due when an asset is sold. Selling stocks or other assets that have a lot of appreciation could result in capital gains taxes. Selling your home could also incur capital gains taxes. However funds from a reverse mortgage are not subject to capital gains taxes as you are not selling your home - it is a loan that disburses loan proceeds. ** This is not tax advice - borrower should consult their tax advisor or financial advisor.
Reason 19: Retrofit Home To Increase Mobility and Safety
Funds from a reverse mortgage can be used to make remodeling upgrades to improve the safety of the home. Examples include adding grab bars, home safety devices, chair lifts or other equipment to make aging in place successful.
Reason 20: Pay For Health Insurance During Early Retirement Years Until Medicare Eligible At Age 65
Funds from a reverse mortgage can bridge the gap paying for health insurance premiums before Medicare benefits start at age 65.
What Would You Do With Your Own Reverse Mortgage?
The possibilities are endless.
Discover the Many Ways to Use a Reverse Mortgage in California.
Over my many years originating reverse mortgages,
I have personally coordinated all of the above strategies with various clients and their trusted advisors.
Best way to get started is to request your personalized California Reverse Mortgage Proposal Calculation Quote.
I would love to have a conversation with you on the creative ways that you might use a reverse mortgage and home equity in your situation.
(888) 603-1550 | (619) 294-9820
John Correll, CRMP
Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional
California Reverse Mortgage Company in San Diego
