Reverse Mortgage Interest Rates

The Complete Guide to Reverse Mortgage Interest Rates & Fees

I think you’ll agree with me when I say…

You can never have enough information when it comes to a financial product, especially reverse mortgages.

With the ever-changing world economy, the interest rates and fees of various mortgage plans keep on varying from time to time.

Well, reverse mortgages are not entirely left out of these economic inflations, thus making it vital for you to fully understand and learn about their rates, fees and costs.

That said, here is a comprehensive guide that will help you get all the facts rights when it comes to rates and costs involved with taking out a reverse mortgage.

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Reverse Mortgage Interest Rates & Fees Explained

Like all other loans, the interest on a reverse mortgage is only part of how much it will cost you. You must also pay closing costs; for the Federal Housing Authority’s (FHA), Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) product, mortgage insurance premiums (MIP), origination fees, third-party charges, and servicing fees.

Since HECMs dominate the reverse mortgage loans market; we will pay attention to that as we also explain other costs and rates:

#01. Mortgage Insurance Premiums

When you have weighed all your financial options, and you decide to take the reverse mortgage way, you will have to pay an Insurance Premium, or MIP, at closing.

Moreover, depending on the type of loan you get, you’ll also be required to pay the MIP through the life of the loan.

They calculate the MIP charge upon closing based on the lesser of the estate’s appraised value or the current HECM loan limit (which is $726,525). The rate used to fluctuate, but in 2018 it became 2% for all borrowers.

Even though it’s not an upfront cost, you should note that you will also pay an insurance premium during the course of the life of the loan. In 2016, the charge used to be 1.25% of the balance, but with the latest MIP deduction extension from 2017, the fee is now 0.5%

So, at this point, you’re wondering, “what the MIP is for?”

For the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to reserve the reverse mortgage as a non-recourse loan, it must absorb the cost of the remaining credit balance (if the sale of a mortgagor’s estate does not cover the balance of the loan).

Having knowledge that you will never have to pay any more than the value stipulated allows you and other borrowers to worry less about paying back the debt.

Nevertheless, to uphold this deal, the FHA must collect payment.

In essence, that is the aim of MIP.

#02.Origination Fees

It’s a fee charged by a reverse mortgage lender, and they charge one when entering a loan agreement, to cover the cost of the dispensation of the loan.

HUD stringently regulates the fees, and FHA insures them – meaning that there is a firm government-mandated cap on origination fees and percentages.

The law sets the maximum fee according to the formula:

• 2% of the first $200,000 of the estate’s value and 1% of the amount over $200,000
• A maximum of a $6,000 origination fee

Again, there’s much information to digest here, so you’re probably wondering what this formula means. To make things more straightforward, we’ll consider a reverse mortgage example or two.

Example 1: Let’s say your estate value is at $100,000. Since the appraised value is less than or equal to $125,000; the lender can charge you any amount up to $2,500. You should, however, note that they don’t base the fee on a percentage of the property’s value.

Example 2: Presume that your property value is at $180,000. Since, the appraised value is more than $125,000, but less than $200,000, the lender can charge you a maximum of 2% of the estate worth, which, in this case, is a maximum of $3,600.

Example 3: Assume that your estate is valued at $300,000. Since your estate’s appraised value is more than $200,000, then the lender will charge you:

• For the first $200,000 they can charge up to 2% of the estate value
• For the remaining balance, which is $100,000, they can charge a maximum of 1%

It works out like this:

$200,000 * 2% = $4000
$100,000 * 1% = $1000

The fee is therefore capped at $5,000.

In as much, as they regulate the fees, not all lenders will charge you the maximum cost possible — there some lenders, based on the type of loan, who will offer you a rebate. If you want to find the best and lowest costs, you need to compare multiple offers.

#03. Servicing Fees

Every home loan needs servicing, and HECMs are no exception.

If you’re not conversant with the term servicing a loan, don’t worry.

It means the maintenance activities that are vital throughout the life of the loan, inclusive of the billing, sending updated account statements, checking to see if a mortgagor is meeting the tax and insurance demands, disbursing loan proceeds and ensuring that the borrower remains current on his or her payments. 

So, what’s the servicing fee rate?

Well, these fees are typically around $25-$35. Therefore, if your loan has an interest rate that adjusts annually, the price is not more than $30. However, if it changes every month, the cap is set at $35.

The first month’s servicing fee is taken out at closing, and they’ll require you to pay the future fees throughout the life of the loan.

You should, however, note that servicing fees are less common today.

#04.Third Party Fees/Other Costs

These are appraisal fees, escrow costs, title and title insurance fees, and credit checks, and they can cost you from $1000-$2000.

Due to the FHA ‘no junk policy,’ a HECM will only include reasonable fees and will safeguard borrowers from many of the additional fees some lenders will try to charge.

Understanding Reverse Mortgage Interest Rates

Interest rates are a vital factor in all loans. However, they work differently when it comes to reverse mortgages.

A standard loan or mortgage will need you to pay the interest as a part of your regular mortgage payments. With a reverse mortgage, interest will not be pertinent until the loan becomes due and payable since no monthly payments are required.

They add the interest to your loan balance, which isn’t due till the last mortgagor moves out of the estate or dies.

That said, if you’re still adamant and ready to take out a reverse mortgage, varying interest rates may again play an essential role in your decision.

There are various HECM originations statistics published by the Department of Housing & Urban Development every month.

While rates are continually shifting, over the past three years, and with the tax deduction extension, they have floated around 5.0% for the fixed rate HECMs and vary between 2.5% to 5% for the adjustable rate HECMs.

Hopefully, this guide has offered you a more precise and better comprehension of reverse mortgage interest rates, and fees.

It’s crucial that you keep in mind that as time goes, and as the revolution continues, the laws are modified, and so do the fees and related costs. While these rates may not be identical around this time next year or season, they can still offer you a benchmark for prospective reverse mortgage rates and costs soon.