One question we have to ask in the United States is the weakening housing market. What happens to reverse mortgages?
There is no question that the United States housing market is softening. Although prices may not yet be going down, and some markets remain relatively strong, the gains in real estate value across the country is over. Maybe not forever, but certainly for now.
Recently, new housing starts were down 20% and the number of houses being sold has slowed year over year. Houses are sitting on the market longer and long gone are the days where sellers get 25% over their asking price within days.
So what does the softening market mean for the reverse mortgages?
A reverse mortgage is a loan that is not paid back until death or permanent move. Therefore the borrower can never owe more than the value of their house. However, reverse mortgage lenders must be careful with how much money they lend. The amount of money they lend is based on a number of factors. Such as: borrower age, location of property and importantly, the value of the property.
The first two factors determine a percentage of the property value. So a reverse mortgage is based on the value of the property. The property value is determined by an appraisal. As the real estate market weakens, appraisals are not as high for a given property. This means that the reverse mortgage borrower receives less money.
Over time, real estate values have gone up and have gone up relatively consistently. This does not mean that real estate will always go up. It will not even guarantee home prices will be higher five or ten years from now. Anyone who says, “Real estate prices may not go up as fast, but they will never go down,” is wrong. While we at Express Capital Mortgage do not predict real estate prices, history does not rule out that values will always increase, even in a given period of time.
If you would like more information about a reverse mortgage Click here to order a free informational DVD and personal analysis.
Ryan Kohl
Direct 480-229-7029
Fax 480-656-8348
Express Capital Mortgage Inc.
1820 E. Ray Road
Chandler, AZ 85225