How is a reverse mortgage different from a traditional home equity loan or line of credit?

A reverse mortgage offers certain advantages:

With a traditional home equity loan or home equity line of credit, you must make monthly principal and interest payments on the balance while you live in the home — whereas a reverse mortgage has a flexible repayment feature. You can pay as much or as little as you like each month toward principal and interest, or make no monthly loan payment at all. Your reverse mortgage balance, including accrued interest and fees, does not have to be repaid until you pass away or move out, as long as you meet your loan obligations (which includes keeping current with property-related taxes, insurance and upkeep).
If part of your loan is held in a line of credit upon which you may draw, then the unused portion of the line of credit will grow in size each month — giving you access to more available funds as time goes on. The growth rate is equal to the sum of the interest rate plus the annual mortgage insurance premium rate being charged on your loan.
And the lender cannot “freeze” or reduce the line of credit, as long as you fulfill your loan obligations — so it will be there if and when you need it.

Verified Reviews

(126)

Larry Was Very Personable Larry was a very personable representative and was always willing to answer any questions that were asked of him. It’s not always easy dealing with the elderly and he is more than patient with us all!!! Thank you Larry

Lisa B — Dec 21, 2019

Worked well for us! My wife and I had been discussing reverse mortgage for some time. We had heard all the pros and cons of doing this type of mortgage and the pros won out. We have a house that was built in 1976 and we have been in it since 1991. We have really done no updates on it and it was really needing some remodeling. We were just not able to afford all the stuff that it needed. We could not find anyone in our area that did reverse mortgage so I got on the internet and did some searches. A few days later I got a call from Larry McAnarney. I told Larry that I came from the "old school" and was use to doing business face to face, but since he was in Illinois and we were in Texas it made it a little difficult. However, to make a long story short, Larry explained everything to our satisfaction and we started the process. We had to go to a counseling session so that we understood the process. After that it was pretty simple. Thanks to Larry McAnarney.

Joe G — Apr 14, 2015

Larry is the Reason We Chose to Proceed Larry McAnarney is the reason we chose to proceed with a reverse mortgage. I had spoken to several individuals with other companies, always feeling after lengthy conversations we were being pressured. After Larry took the time and patience to explain the entire process and had the professional ability to access our financial situation, we knew we could trust and rely on his assistance. Our understanding of the process prior to Larry, was uninformed. We were not pressured in any way and truly feel had a reverse mortgage not been a benefit to us, Larry would have advised us to not pursue a reverse mortgage, even if it meant loosing a client. Larry is a kind, caring and ( very very patient) man. Thank you Larry!

Larry & Joy B — Feb 14, 2020