To qualify for a reverse mortgage loan there are some basic requirements, such as:
- The youngest borrower on title must be at least 62 years old.
- The home has to be lived in and be the primary residence of the borrower/s
- A home should have enough equity to make the process of getting a loan go smoothly. There is not an exact amount that needs to be there, but it’s generally agreed upon that you’ll want at least 50% equity in your house so you can pay off your mortgage with the money from the new one. The more equity you have, though, allows for more money available for borrowing!
- All applicants for a HECM loan are subject to evaluation before approval. This is so they can determine whether or not the applicant has a financial capacity and willingness to pay their obligations, such as taxes and insurance.
Keep in mind that qualification requirements may differ for each lender, based on multiple factors including your financial situation, age, interest rates and other factors. Your home does not have to be paid off in full or ‘mortgage-free’ to qualify for a reverse mortgage loan.