Northwood mortgage Reverse Mortgages

A reverse mortgage lets you borrow money by using your house as collateral. This option gives you access to about 55% of the current appraised value of your home if you’re ever in need of cash.

In return, interest and fees are added to your loan balance each month, causing your mortgage loan balance to increase and home equity to decrease.

Unlike a traditional mortgage, you only pay back the reverse mortgage if you move from your home – because of death or selling the home. Although you’re not required to make regular payments, you must continue paying homeowner’s insurance and property taxes, in addition to keeping the property in good condition.

What is a Reverse Mortgage and How Does it Work in Ontario?

If you owe money on your home but are considering a reverse mortgage, qualifying for it means trading your current mortgage loan for a larger loan. Some of the money borrowed via the reverse mortgage will be used to pay off your current mortgage. This option can free up cash flow. This option can still free up the money you were previously using to make monthly mortgage payments so you can spend it on other things.

Homeowners can access up to 55% of the current appraised value of their home based on their age and that of their spouse, interest rate of their loan, and on the location and type of home, which affects it’s value. Generally, you will enjoy a higher borrowing limit (principal limit) if:

You‘re over 55
Have lower interest rates
Have a higher valued home

There are three main options for receiving your reverse mortgage funds:

1. Lump sum with fixed interest rate

The borrower can withdraw all the available amount at once.

2. Line of credit with an adjustable interest rate

Allows for limited withdrawals during your first year, with the remaining funds being accessible in the second year. It costs less than other options due to only paying interest and fees on the money you plan on using. This allows you to continue to grow any unused credit.

3. Monthly payout with adjustable interest rate

Limits your withdrawals during the first year, with the remaining funds being accessible in the second year. You receive a monthly payout that supplements your income. You can choose between:

Term – fixed monthly payouts for a given number of years
Tenure – continuous fixed monthly payouts provided they don’t exceed a maximum mortgage amount indicated in your loan documents

You will incur interest and fees only on the amount you’ve drawn so far, which lowers the cost. The growth in your unused credit is factored into your monthly payout amount. Keep in mind that this option can be combined with a line of credit. Be aware of these rates before going for a reverse mortgage.

Reverse Mortgage – Pros

Pros

You can use the funds for any expense
Older borrowers have a higher borrowing limit
Funds are not taxed as income.
Funds can be received in a lump sum or over time
No regular payments are required.
The full amount only becomes due when the home is sold, or both home owners are deceased.
Clients have the option to repay the principal and interest in full at any time. Upon repayment, an interest rate differential may apply (maximum of three months’ interest).

Cons Penalties

Reverse mortgages are expensive, since you owe not only the amount borrowed, but interest and fees as well
The amount you owe increases over time, and it gradually reduces your home equity
Penalties

Why Trust Northwood Mortgage™ For Your Reverse Mortgage Needs?

A reverse mortgage may be the right solution for you, but it’s important that you learn about the reverse mortgage basics and browse the current interest rates for reverse mortgages in Ontario before making the decision.

At Northwood Mortgage, we have a qualified team of agents and brokers specializing in reverse mortgages. Our agents and brokers will first understand your needs and assess your current situation before searching for the best reverse mortgage rates that will maximize your funds and help you plan for your future and retirement.

FAQs

Can any homeowner over 60 get a reverse mortgage?
No. People who still owe a lot of money on their existing mortgage may not have sufficient equity to pay off their current mortgage with a reverse mortgage. In such a situation, a reverse mortgage may not be a viable solution for your cash needs.
What should I do if I’m planning to sell my home?
If you want to sell your home while having a reverse mortgage, perhaps to downsize or move into a retirement home, you should keep in mind that your equity will likely be lower due to the interest and fees added to the loan. That said, there is a chance that the value of your home may have risen over time, allowing you to gain back some equity. Once you sell your home, you will have to repay the loan in full, leaving you with an amount equivalent to the current equity of your home.

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Ownership protection

With a CHIP reverse mortgage, title remains in the homeowner’s name and they will never be asked to move or sell to repay their Home Income Plan. The homeowner is responsible for up-to-date payment of property taxes, fire insurance and condominium/maintenance fees, and maintenance of the property.

Estate protection

In more than 20 years of our experience, over 99% of homeowners have equity remaining upon repayment.

The amount to be repaid is guaranteed not to exceed the fair market value of the home at the time it is sold, protecting the homeowner or the estate.

CHIP’s conservative lending practices combined with typical home appreciation result in clients maintaining, on average, at least 50% of their home equity at the time of repayment. In this illustration, home equity appreciates by 5.6% annually (20-year national house appreciation average Source: CREA 2007) with a CHIP Home Income Plan initial interest rate of 8% with long-term discounts applied. These assumptions are not indicative of future market performance or interest rates. Actual results may vary.

Just the way you like it

Eventually you’ll owe more than you borrowed, since interest is being added to your balance. But a reverse mortgage allows you to choose how you receive your money. Do you want it all at once or perhaps spread over time? It’s up to you. Also, if you’d like to pay back the interest and principal entirely, pay the interest month-to-month or on an annual basis, that’s your decision, too.

Considering the positives and the not-so-positives of a reverse mortgage will help you make an informed choice about whether this is the right type of loan for you.

The pros

You can get the money in one lump sum, gradually or a combination of those two choices. You make that decision;
You keep your home;
The money borrowed is tax free;
No regular payments;
No medical, income or credit qualifications;
If interest rates rise or housing values drop, you or your heirs won’t have to worry about any shortfall;
Extra cash can take the pressure off other possible mounting expenses;
The amount you owe can never exceed the property value.

The cons

The loans have higher interest rates;
Equity decreases as interest accumulates;
Upon your death (and the death of your spouse) your estate has a certain time limit to repay the loan in full. The problem with this is that it sometimes takes longer to settle an estate than the time your heirs have to pay the loan back;
Of course, a reverse mortgage will cut back on the amount you intended to leave your beneficiaries;
Seniors Money Canada and Canadian Home Income Plan are the only two companies offering reverse mortgages in Canada;
There are other costs associated with the reverse mortgage, such as a home appraisal, application or closing fees, costs for legal advice and a penalty for selling or moving within three years of getting the mortgage.

A Northwood Mortgage professional will be happy to sit down with you to explain all the details of a reverse mortgage and suggest a plan that’s best for you. Call them today.