The New Reverse Mortgage Formula: How to Convert Home Equity into Tax-Free Income

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0786286970 ISBN 13: 9780786286973

Publisher: Thorndike Pr, 2006

Explains how to take advantage of a reverse mortgage, discussing the benefits, costs, and uses of this valuable financial tool.

From the Back Cover:

Live on your equity—without selling or refinancing your home!

Many seniors have trouble making ends meet after retirement. Often their homes are their most valuable assets, but they can't access the equity they've accrued unless they sell. If you find yourself in this position, you might face the dilemma of having to sell your home. Thankfully, the reverse mortgage offers seniors the option of remaining in their homes with no mortgage payments.

Reverse mortgages permit seniors to convert part of their home equity into tax-free income—even if they're still paying on the mortgage. Designed specifically for seniors, these specialized loans let you tap into your equity and use the money for any purpose. Safe and legal, these loans can never cost more than the value of the home, and the loan doesn't have to be repaid until you, or an heir, sell the home.

This straightforward, simple guide helps seniors and their loved ones understand every aspect of the reverse mortgage, including:

• Tax ramifications of reverse mortgages
• Fees and costs associated with reverse mortgages
• Great things you can do with your reverse mortgage payout
• Calculating a reverse mortgage based on the owner's age, and the home's location and value
• How to structure your payout as a lump sum, monthly payments, or credit
• How much you can borrow and at what rate

"As our population ages, it is critical that senior citizens are made aware of the various options available to them that will enable them to lead more fulfilling, comfortable lives. In this book, Tom Kelly clearly and concisely explains the inner workings of reverse mortgages—a viable financial option for senior homeowners."
—Sarah Hulbert, National Director, Reverse Mortgage of America

"Tom Kelly breaks down a misunderstood, complex topic into a very readable, valuable work for seniors and adult children. This book not only provides one of the key tools to aging in place, but it also clearly and accurately explains the next big financial vehicle in the United States."
—Dr. Richard Garrigan, author and Emeritus Professor of Finance, DePaul University

About the Author:

TOM KELLY is a former real estate editor for the Seattle Times. He currently writes a nationally syndicated column and hosts a nationally syndicated radio program. He is recognized by the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association as a leader in explaining and detailing reverse mortgage products to consumers. With The New Reverse Mortgage Formula, he provides an innovative, commonsense guide for unlocking critical cash for seniors, creating a financial strategy for baby boomers, or building a pool of funds to pay for future healthcare.