Potential Risks and Drawbacks of Reverse Mortgages:

While reverse mortgages can provide numerous benefits, it's also essential to understand their potential risks and drawbacks. Here are some key considerations:

High Costs

Reverse mortgages can come with high upfront costs, including origination fees, closing costs, and mortgage insurance premiums. These costs can be substantial and are typically rolled into the loan, increasing the total loan balance.

Reduced Home Equity

Since a reverse mortgage involves converting home equity into loan proceeds, it will reduce the amount of equity homeowners have in their homes. This means that there may be fewer assets to leave to heirs. However, it's important to note that reverse mortgages are "non-recourse" loans, which means the homeowner or their heirs will never owe more than the home's value when the loan becomes due.

Risk of Foreclosure

Homeowners with a reverse mortgage are still responsible for maintaining their home and staying current on property taxes and homeowner's insurance. Failure to meet these obligations can lead to the loan becoming due and payable, potentially resulting in foreclosure if the loan can't be repaid.

Impact on Needs-Based Benefits

The loan proceeds from a reverse mortgage may affect eligibility for needs-based government assistance programs, like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). However, if the proceeds are received as a line of credit or spent in the same month, they might not affect these benefits. It's crucial to consult with a benefits specialist or financial advisor before getting a reverse mortgage.

Requirement to Stay in the Home

A reverse mortgage requires the borrower to live in the home as their primary residence. If the homeowner moves out (for example, to a full-time care facility) for more than 12 consecutive months, the loan becomes due and payable. This can limit flexibility if the homeowner's health or living situation changes.