Want to retire on the equity of your house? It's called a reverse mortgage. You actually sell your house to yourself, using a lender to fund the deal. It could be a great way to enhance your retirement, or a fast way to become a 'gate geezer' for Wal Mart.
If you are like most retired adults, you own a home but have very little else for retirement. However, if you sell your house, you won't have a place to live! So here's your problem: you need money to live on, but the only thing that you own of value is the place you live.
A reverse mortgage can give you the answer this retirement dilemma. This option sells your house a piece at a time, instead of all at once. Also, you get to live in your home. You can use a mortgage calculator to determine the monthly cost of home equity loans or refinancing. Also, you can use this mortgage calculator to figure out how much your loan would cost you in total.
First, call a real estate agent. They will be more than happy to tell you how much your home would sell for, and how to increase its value. Depending on your level of savvy and the time you could commit to it, this could pay off handsomely. The reason is that the amount that a reverse mortgage will pay you is based on your home's value. So, if there is an easy way to increase the value of your home, do it before applying for a reverse mortgage.
You can use a mortgage calculator to find out if you should get a home equity loan before you get your reverse mortgage. The mortgage calculator will tell you how much, in total, a home equity loan would cost you for the short time between the repairs and the reverse mortgage. But be careful. Don't spend more remodeling than it will increase your home's value. Also, if you love something about your house, don't change it. After all, you still get to live in it.
Okay, now that you know how much your house would sell for, it is time to look into a reverse mortgage loan. You can use a special mortgage calculator to find out how much each different loan would give you. This mortgage calculator bases its results on four things: your age, your house's value, your house's location and your lender. More than one company offers a mortgage calculator, so it is best to check with AARP to see if it is a valid program. The mortgage calculator on their website is very simple, but it is a good place to start.
But why is it called a loan? Because, when you are done with the house, the lender wants money, not the house. Of course, if the house sells for more than you were paid, your heirs may get some of it. This is a detail you should work out when you get the loan. Again, there are mortgage calculator programs to help you figure this out. If you still have a loan on your property, you will have to pay it off before you get your money.
Once you have done your own research, it is time to talk to a professional. The real estate agent that you spoke to before should be glad to give you a list of good lenders and mortgage brokers. They will walk you through the process. Read every document. Ask questions about anything that you don't understand. And soon, instead of paying a mortgage every month, you will be able to receive a check instead.