This problem is facing as many as 30% of all seniors who are homeowners, they are feeling the pinch of the times. With the cost of health care, medicines and in some areas rising taxes along with interest rate adjustments! How did we get here in the first place?
Well in looking at the situation this is what was found through extensive research on mortgages over the last five years. Seniors who had the retirement plans laid out with investments in the Stock market were hedging their bets that they would make enough money to pay off the mortgages or be able to sell and take the profits. In years gone bye when home values were soaring and money was easily available they were able to refinance their homes and take capital out for investments. With the stock market up at 14,000 and values of home seeing double digit appreciation many thought that this was the best time in their life for accumulation of wealth. The fact is that they were playing Russian roulette; just like the bankers on Wall Street. It all sounded good on paper; but the fact is nothing last forever and what goes up always comes down he has been this way for ever.
In speaking with as many as 100 seniors on a weekly basis, I hear all too often that I have lost almost all of my life savings and my pension has all but disappeared, and you can hear the stress in their voice. They are worried about what is going to happen to them and their homes. This problem is become epidemic in proportion around this country, and more and more seniors are looking at the Reverse Mortgage as a solution to some of the problem. Now that is not to say that the program is a save all solution for every senior around the country, because it truly is not the cure. However for many of them who are either loosing money in their investments, or having a hard time making debt payments it is a solution that can relieve some of the stress. Let?s take a look at a typical situation!
Senior age 65 with a mortgage
This senior purchased the home over 20 years ago, when they were earning a living had a good job and they were contributing to a 401 k.
They purchased the home for lets say $50,000.00, they paid on it for 20 years and they only had 10 years left to pay on it.
Now here we are it is 2002 and values have started to rise and the Stock Market is rocking and people are buying and selling Real Estate and showing huge profits. Now that home that they paid $50,000 for is now worth $400,000.00. They are seeing that if they take a 50% loan to value they can use the money to invest and still have 50% as a security blanket on their home. So they borrow the 200k at let?s say they were able to cash in on an interest rate of 5% the payment on the home, not including taxes and insurance would be $ 1.073.00 per month with a 30 year term. Now they have in cash after everything they have net $180k for investments. So we will assume that they listen to their investment person and they tell them they can expect a 7% return on investment so they pull the plug and they are seeing a net return after they pay the mortgage of 2%. They also held out $50,000 for a reserve so they invested $130k. Now they see and opportunity to buy Real Estate so they switch some of the monies from stocks to real estate. They meet someone who told them that they could use a portion of the money as a down payment on a new development and sell it before they home is completed. Now they have stocks, and real estate as their investment, the time comes and the home is complete they have a buyer all lined up to close and it goes great the person is able to get a mortgage and they make a whopping 30% return on their investment. Boy that was easy! So they figure if they can do it once and get that kind of return, just think if I did it again but with two properties.
So they take the profits from the sale and some of the $50k they have sitting for a rainy day and invest that into another couple of units and they are planning on flipping them also while they are being built. Now it is 2006, al of a sudden the buyers are having trouble getting a mortgage, because the rules of the game have changed, money is getting harder to get. The property is now ready and the builder wants for close on the property or you they are going to keep you deposit, so you apply for a mortgage on the property as a second home.
At this time the second home is being treated like a first home for mortgage purposes so you put down the 10% and close on the property. Now you have a second mortgage along with your first, and thought is you will rent the house to pay the mortgage. Now here is where the real problem begins, the stock market starts to tumble a little, your broker tells you not to panic its just an adjustment, your real estate person is telling you it is just a slow time in the market, wait until spring the market always open up then!
Now here we are it is 2007 and you are hearing on the news that this company is in trouble and that bank is going under and real estate values are starting to fall. What are you going to do you have a $200k mortgage on your primary home, you are now 64 years of age and retired. Sound familiar, I have spent the better part of 20 years not only doing this but working with investors on the very same scenarios over and over again. As a real estate person in a vacation home market, and a very good market nationally, I seen it too many times where customers where trying to cash in on profits. Now there are no profits to be had and they are in fear of not only loosing the investment home, but their primary home.
In many cases they are able to get the property rented but in some cases it is less then the mortgage payment, the stock portfolio is in the negative arena, because they listen to the broker who said stay the course! So what are you going to do now! Here is the best advice you can ever get, Take the loss on the Stock Market and get out with what ever you can and put the money into something that will protect the principle even if you are not getting interest. As to the second home; if it is renting even if it is a little loss monthly ride it out or try to sell it at a loss, call your mortgage company and see if they will work with you to reduce the sale price. Now to your primary home where it is the most important issue is to keep the roof over your head. The home that you borrowed the $200k and you thought you had another 200k in equity is now only worth maybe $300k if you are lucky.
So now you have a home worth $300,000 and a mortgage that is maybe reduced the balance to $195,000 over the last 6 years. You are now 65 years of age and all of the stress is causing you all kinds of additional problems. So look at this!
Home Value $300,000.
Mortgage Balance $195,000
Age 65
Payment of $1,073.00 plus taxes and Insurance.
Income of $1,500 per month assuming a couple on SS
Does this Sound Familiar or do you know someone who has this situation.
Here is a solution