Brayan Peter asked:


A mortgage is the pledging of a property to a lender as a security for a mortgage loan. In other words, the mortgage is a security for the loan that the lender makes to the borrower. In some countries, like Spain, United Kingdom, Australia, and United States the demand for home ownership is highest. The term mortgage comes from the old French “dead pledge” which means that the pledge ends when the property is taken through foreclosure. The cost to the borrower can be measured by annual percentage rate (APR) or lender police effective annual rate (LPEAR). There are several reasons for an investor to borrow funds. One reason being to diversify investments. Invest the borrowed funds at a higher rate of interest than the borrowing rates.

There are two types of Birmingham mortgage – repayment or interest mortgages. Repayment mortgage means that the monthly repayments consist of repaying the capital amount borrowed as well as the accrued interest. In repayment mortgage the loan decreases over time, and once the last payment is done the property is yours. Repayment mortgage is the most popular type of mortgage, and many people opt for this because it is more straightforward and they do not have to worry about additional investments in order to clear the loan at the end of the mortgage term. With repayment mortgages, the entire mortgage is paid back over an agreed period of time.  This is referred to as the mortgage’s term and is usually set at 25 years. Repayment mortgages are regarded as the safest option, hence their appeal to the more cautious investor. The value of investment plans can go down as well as up and are not guaranteed upon maturity. This makes an interest only mortgage a more risky option than a repayment mortgage.

Some lenders have stopped offering interest only mortgages. The benefit with interest only mortgages is that the monthly repayments are lower than the repayment mortgages. In interest only mortgage, repayments will be paying only the interest on the loan, which means that at the end of the mortgage tenure you need to find some other means by which you pay off the actual loan balance. An interest only mortgage is one where the repayments are made up entirely of the interest on the loan. When the mortgage term is complete, the capital originally borrowed is still outstanding. To cover the balance, borrowers are advised to make regular contributions into an investment policy alongside their mortgage repayments. This can be arranged by the mortgage provider, most commonly in the form of an endowment mortgage, an ISA mortgage or a pension mortgage. in certain regions like

Keith Junor asked:


Q. What is a reverse mortgage?

A. A reverse mortgage is a loan that enables senior homeowners, age 62 and older, to convert part of their home equity into tax-free* income ”without having to sell their home, give up title to it, or make monthly mortgage payments. The loan only becomes due when the last borrower (s) permanently leaves the home.

Q. How is a reverse mortgage like a home equity loan? How is it different?

A. Both a reverse mortgage and a home equity loan use the equity you have built up in your home to provide you with readily available cash. They differ in that with a home equity loan you must make regular monthly payments of principal and interest. However, with a reverse mortgage you do not make any monthly mortgage payments for as long as you stay in the home.

Q. Can my current income influence my ability to get a reverse mortgage?

A. No. Since reverse mortgage borrowers need not make monthly repayments, there are no income qualifications.

Q. What are the advantages of a reverse mortgage?

A. There are many. Here are a few of the most significant: * Remain independent. A reverse mortgage allows you to remain in your home and retain home ownership. * Stay in your home. It allows you to remain in your home and retain home ownership. * No monthly mortgage payments. You need not pay back the reverse mortgage loan nor make any monthly mortgage payments until you permanently move out of the home. * Tax-free money. Because the money you receive from a reverse mortgage is not considered income, it is tax free* and will not affect your Social Security or Medicare benefits. * Freedom and flexibility. The money you get from a reverse mortgage is yours to use in any way you choose.

Q.I heard that with a reverse mortgage the lender would own my home. Is this true?

A. Totally false. The borrower retains title to the property. The reverse mortgage lender is merely extending a loan to the borrower. Because the homeowners retain title, they remain responsible for the payment of property taxes, insurance, utilities, home maintenance, and other expenses — just as they would with a standard first mortgage or home equity loan.

Q. Can I refinance a reverse mortgage, as I would be able to do with a traditional home mortgage?

A. Yes. Re financing can make sense if your home increases in value or interest rates drop.

Q. Is it possible for my loan balance to become greater than the value of my home?

A. No. You can never owe more than what your home is worth. What’s more, since the reverse mortgage is what is known as a “non-recourse” loan, the lender cannot seek repayment from your income, your other assets, or your estate. In other words, the house stands for the debt.

Q. Can a reverse mortgage lender take my home away if I outlive the loan?

A. No they cannot. And the loan is not due at that time either. In fact, you don’t need to repay the loan as long as you or another borrower continues to live in the house and keep the taxes paid and insurance in force.

Q. How do you determine the amount of cash I am eligible for?

A. The amount you can borrow depends on several factors, including your age, the type of reverse mortgage you select, current interest rates, the location of your home, and the appraised value of your home and FHA’s lending limits for your area. In most cases, the older you are, the more valuable your home, and the less you owe on it, the more money you can get.

Q. Are there any limits on how I use the money I receive from a reverse mortgage?

A. You can use the money for anything you choose, from daily living expenses, home improvements, health care expenses, paying off existing debts, or simply enhancing your retirement years. For many people, the money provides a “financial security blanket,” in case unexpected expenses arise.

Q. Is there a choice in how I receive the cash from my reverse mortgage?

A. Most definitely. With most reverse mortgages you have a wide range of payment options, one of which should be ideal to meet your financial needs. * You can choose to receive the money all at once, as a lump sum. * You can receive equal monthly payments as long as one of the borrowers lives and continues to occupy the property as a principal residence. * You can choose to receive equal monthly payments for a fixed period of months. * You can get a line of credit*; which allows you to take funds at times and in amounts of your choosing until the line of credit is exhausted. This is the most popular option, chosen by more than 60% of reverse mortgage borrowers. * You can opt for a combination of line of credit with monthly payments for as long as the borrower remains in the home. * Or, finally, you can choose a combination of the above. * Note: in Texas, lines of credit are not permitted by state law.

Q. Who can qualify for a reverse mortgage? A. Seniors 62 years of age or older qualify. There are no income, health or credit qualifications. Q. I still owe money on a first or second mortgage. Can I still get a reverse mortgage?

A. Yes. You may be eligible for a reverse mortgage even if you still owe money on a first or second mortgage. The funds you would receive in the reverse mortgage would be used to pay off whatever existing mortgages you have on the property.

Q. Can I get a reverse mortgage on a second home or resort property I own? A. Unfortunately no. Reverse mortgages may only be taken out on your primary residence.

Q. What kinds of homes are eligible for a reverse mortgage?

A. First and foremost, the reverse mortgage must be on the borrower(s) primary residence, that is, where they live most of the year. Most reverse mortgages are taken on single family, one-unit homes. Some programs also accept two-to-four unit buildings that are owner-occupied. Some programs grant reverse mortgages on condominiums and manufactured homes built after June 1976. Mobile homes and cooperatives are generally not eligible for a reverse mortgage. Click here to contact the Financial Freedom representative nearest you to determine if your home is eligible.

Q. Would a home that is in a “living trust” be eligible for a reverse mortgage?

A. Yes. In most cases a homeowner who has put his or her home in a living trust can usually take out a reverse mortgage. A review of the trust documents would be made by the reverse mortgage lender to determine if anything in the living trust would be unacceptable.

Q. When will I have to pay the principal and interests cost of this loan? A. Your reverse mortgage loan becomes due and must be paid in full when one or more of the following conditions occurs: (a) the last surviving borrower passes away or sells the home; (b) all borrowers permanently move out of the home; (c) the last surviving borrower fails to live in the home for 12 consecutive months due to physical or mental illness; (d) you fail to pay property taxes or insurance; (e) you let the property deteriorate, beyond what is considered reasonable wear and tear, and do not correct the problems.

Q. What has to be repaid when the loan becomes due?

A. When the last surviving borrower permanently moves out of the home or dies, the reverse mortgage loan becomes due. The reverse mortgage principal, interest charges, and service fees (such as closing cost fees) are paid from sale of the house or other assets of the estate.