The Process of Getting a HECM / Reverse Mortgage Loan
You may have heard about the reverse mortgage loan on TV, on the radio, online, by receiving a
mailer, or you did your own research.
Meeting with a qualified Mortgage Loan Originator is key. This is where you learn about your
specific numbers, what you might qualify for, and receive an analysis of your particular situation.
Counseling is required from an independent third-party, HUD-approved counseling agency, for all
reverse mortgage borrowers. Typically this fee is paid by the borrower. Consult with your Reverse
Mortgage Loan Originator and make sure you complete this as soon as possible. Many times counseling
can be completed over the telephone. You will receive two certificates; one to keep and the other to
send to our office.
To help ensure the long-term success of the HECM loan over time, HUD requires a financial review of
each applicant’s credit history, property tax payments and other credit factors that will be
evaluated to measure a borrower’s willingness and financial capacity to meet the ongoing obligations
of the loan.
Meet with your Mortgage Loan Originator and decide if a reverse mortgage is right for you. Our
reverse mortgage professionals may meet with you at our office, your home, or by phone to help guide
you through the application. You will be left with a complete copy of ALL the documents for you and
your trusted financial advisors (i.e. CPA or attorney) or family member(s) to review.
The lender will begin to process your paperwork. This process includes the appraisal, title report,
and checking the balance of any liens/mortgages to be paid. Also, verification of income and other
credit factors are gathered at this time. We will be in contact regularly during this time.
Upon receiving your HUD counseling certificate we will contact you to arrange for an appraisal of
your property. The appraisal is paid by the borrower. Reverse mortgages use a full FHA appraisal.
The value of your home is based on what comparable properties in your neighborhood have sold for
recently.
When the processing and all paperwork is complete, we forward your file to the loan underwriter to
determine if the loan will be approved and will work to satisfy any conditions/requirements needed
to close the loan.
If your loan has been approved by underwriting we will contact you to arrange for the signing of
your final loan documents. At this time we will confirm your payment plan or partial lump sum (how
you want to receive your money). Once you’ve signed the closing documents you have three business
days to cancel the loan if you should choose to do so. After the cancellation (rescission) period
has passed, your funds are distributed based on the payment option you chose at closing. HECM for
Purchase loans do not have a rescission period. See HECM for Purchase Guidelines for more
information.