A reverse mortgage loan is very much like a home equity loan. First we’ll look at the similarities between the two and then let’s discuss how to buy a home with a reverse mortgage.

 First a reverse mortgage is a lump sum payment or annuity that is paid from a lender or  insurance company to supplement or provide income. As the homeowner you repay the mortgage obligation when you sell or vacate the residence. When you die your estate is responsible to pay back the loan. The amount owed will never exceed the value of your home. If the home is sold and the proceeds exceed the amount owed, the excess money goes back to you or in the case of your death, your estate.

Further, when you buy a home with a reverse mortgage it is not considered taxable income and does not affect Social Security or Medicare benefits.

A home equity loan on the other hand, is a mortgage loan that is secured by the residual equity in your home. To calculate equity, you subtract mortgage debt from your home value. Home equity loans allow a homeowner to make repairs or other home improvements, refinance other debt, or use for miscellaneous purposes. Unlike a home equity line of credit, a home equity loan is an amortizing loan.

When you buy a home with a reverse mortgage you are paid either a lump sum amount or annuity based on the amount of equity in your home. For example, a monthly payment of $1,000 for the next 120 months would be a 10 year monthly annuity.

Aside from programs which help you buy a home with a reverse mortgage there are various other types of reverse mortgages. One type is for homeowners who want to tap into their equity but not draw out the entire amount. Here an annuity or lump sum would be paid out. Another reverse mortgage program is a home equity conversion mortgage. Affiliated with FHA (the Federal Housing Administration) this program combines the features of a home equity loan and a line of credit. Here you receive a fixed payment and can also draw on a credit line for additional cash.

The buy a home with a reverse mortgage program uses the new home as a source of repayment. You make a down payment and use the reverse mortgage loan for the rest of the home’s purchase price. You repay the loan with interest and other financing costs, when you sell the home, no longer use it as a primary residence, or in the case of your death, your estate would cover the outstanding loan. Most types of homes are eligible.

Tremendous growth in the housing market over the last few years has given many homeowners a considerable boast in equity. As a result, some of these homeowners are now looking to buy a home with a reverse mortgage.

Take for instance, the homeowners who purchased their homes in the early 1960’s for a modest price and now in their retirement years find their home has doubled or even tripled in value.

With this kind of equity to play with many homeowners are looking to buy a home with a reverse mortgage. This could be a country home or a cottage property. Or, the funds could even be used for luxury vacations, recreational vehicles, boats – you name it!

If you were to buy a home with a reverse mortgage you would be able to pay cash for the second ‘vacation’ home while continuing to live in your primary residence for as long as you wish or are able. Once you die, your primary residence would be sold to pay back your reverse mortgage loan, while the second home would become part of your estate.

To participate in these reverse mortgage programs, you and any co-borrowers must be at least age 62. In order to buy a home with a reverse mortgage you also must have no mortgage debt on your home. Further there are usually no income requirements to participate in the above mentioned programs.

According to Fannie Mae, a positive feature of reverse mortgage programs is that you’re never obligated for more than the loan balance or the value of the property, whichever is less; no assets other than the home are used to repay the debt. A reverse mortgage has neither a fixed maturity date nor a fixed mortgage amount.

If you’re seriously looking to buy a home with a reverse mortgage it’s important that you do your homework. Take the time to comparison shop between lenders. Seeking the advice of at least three reverse mortgage lenders is always wise.