Half of Americans Struggling to Afford Their Mortgages

June 4th, 2014  |  by Jason Oliva Published in News, Senior Housing

Americans have been struggling with housing affordability over the last three years, with 52% having to make sacrifices to cover their rent or mortgage, according to a recent survey.

Getting an additional job, deferring saving for retirement and cutting back on health care were just some of the sacrifices these struggling homeowners have made to afford housing, reports the “How Housing Matters Survey” conducted by Hart Research Associates.

The survey, commissioned by the nonprofit John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, represents a shift among Americans’ attitudes toward the overall housing market and how they view homeownership as a valuable investment. 

About 43% indicate it is no longer the case that owning a home is an “excellent long-term investment and one of the best ways for people to build wealth and assets.”

Additionally, more than half (54%) believe that buying a home has become “less appealing” than it once was, given the current market environment, while a similar proportion of adults (51%) believe that renting has become “more appealing.”

“The housing crisis that began more than five years ago has left an indelible mark on the attitudes and experiences of Americans,” stated Geoffrey Garin, president of Hart Research Associates. “Housing affordability has driven a large share of the American people to make significant financial adjustments.”

Driving these attitudinal changes is a growing perception that the aftermath of the housing crisis has yet to signal relief for a high proportion (70%) of Americans.

Of this group, 51% continue to believe the country is still in the midst of the crisis, while 19% believe that the “worst is yet to come.” 

The public in 2014 is only slightly more optimistic than it was a year ago, the survey notes, when 77% believed the nation was still in the grips of the crisis. 

“The continuing stresses felt by the vast majority of Americans in the aftermath of the housing recession are real and profound,” stated Jula Stasch, MacArthur’s vice president of U.S. programs. “It is clear that Americans believe more can and should be done to improve housing affordability for renters and owners, and that government should take action to invest in both equally.”

Written by Jason Oliva

Frequently Asked Questions about HUD's Reverse Mortgages

Frequently Asked Questions about HUD's Reverse Mortgages

The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) is FHA's reverse mortgage program, which enables you to withdraw some of the equity in your home.  The HECM is a safe plan that can give older Americans greater financial security. Many seniors use it to supplement Social Security, meet unexpected medical expenses, make home improvements and more.  You can receive additional free information about reverse mortgages in general by contacting the National Council on Aging at (800) 510-0301 or downloading their free booklet, "Use Your Home to Stay at Home," a guide for older homeowners who need help now. It is smart to know more about reverse mortgages, and decide if one is right for you!
1. What is a reverse mortgage?
A reverse mortgage is a special type of home loan that lets you convert a portion of the equity in your home into cash. The equity that you built up over years of making mortgage payments can be paid to you.  However, unlike a traditional home equity loan or second mortgage, HECM borrowers do not have to repay the HECM loan until the borrowers no longer use the home as their principal residence or fail to meet the obligations of the mortgage.  You can also use a HECM to purchase a primary residence if you are able to use cash on hand to pay the difference between the HECM proceeds and the sales price plus closing costs for the property you are purchasing.
2. Can I qualify for FHA's HECM reverse mortgage?
To be eligible for a FHA HECM, the FHA requires that you be a homeowner 62 years of age or older, own your home outright, or have a low mortgage balance that can be paid off at closing with proceeds from the reverse loan, and you must live in the home. You are also required to receive consumer information free or at very low cost from a HECM counselor prior to obtaining the loan. You can find a HECM counselor online or by phoning (800) 569-4287.
3. Can I apply for a HECM even if I did not buy my present house with FHA mortgage insurance?
Yes.  You may apply for a HECM regardless of whether or not you purchased your home with an FHA-insured mortgage.
4. What types of homes are eligible?
To be eligible for the FHA HECM, your home must be a single family home or a 2-4 unit home with one unit occupied by the borrower. HUD-approved condominiums and manufactured homes that meet FHA requirements are also eligible.
5. What are the differences between a reverse mortgage and a home equity loan?
With a second mortgage, or a home equity line of credit, borrowers must have adequate   income to qualify for the loan, and they make monthly payments on the principal and interest.  A reverse mortgage is different, because it pays you – there are no monthly principal and interest payments.  With a reverse mortgage, you are required to pay real estate taxes, utilities, and hazard and flood insurance premiums.
6. Will we have an estate that we can leave to heirs?
When the home is sold or no longer used as a primary residence, the cash, interest, and other HECM finance charges must be repaid.  All proceeds beyond the amount owed belong to your spouse or estate.  This means any remaining equity can be transferred to heirs.  No debt is passed along to the estate or heirs.
7. How much money can I get from my home?
The amount you may borrower will depend on:

• Age of the youngest borrower
• Current interest rate
• Lesser of appraised value or the HECM FHA mortgage limit of $625,500 or the sales price; and
• Initial Mortgage Insurance Premium--your choices are HECM Standard or HECM SAVER

In addition, the more valuable your home is, the older you are, and the lower the interest rate, the more you can borrow.  If there is more than one borrower, the age of the youngest borrower is used to determine the amount you can borrow.  For an estimate of HECM cash benefits, select the online calculator from the HECM Home Page. Many online reverse mortgage calculators can provide you with an estimate of the amount of funds you can borrow.
8. Should I use an estate planning service to find a reverse mortgage lender?
FHA does NOT recommend using any service that charges a fee for referring a borrower to an FHA-approved lender.  You can locate a FHA-approved lender by searching online at www.hud.gov or by contacting a HECM counselor for a listing.   Services rendered by HECM counselors are free or at a low cost.  To locate a HECM counselor Search online or call (800) 569-4287 toll-free, for the name and location of a HUD-approved housing counseling agency near you
9. How do I receive my payments?
You can select from five payment plans:

• Tenure- equal monthly payments as long as at least one borrower lives and continues to occupy the property as a principal residence.
• Term- equal monthly payments for a fixed period of months selected.
• Line of Credit- unscheduled payments or in installments, at times and in an amount of your choosing until the line of credit is exhausted.
• Modified Tenure- combination of line of credit and scheduled monthly payments for as long as you remain in the home.
• Modified Term- combination of line of credit plus monthly payments for a fixed period of months selected by the borrower.

 10. What if I change my mind and no longer want the loan after I go to closing?  How do I do this?

By law, you have three calendar days to change your mind and cancel the loan.  This is called a three day right of rescission.  The process of canceling the loan should be explained at loan closing.  Be sure to ask the lender for instructions on this process.  Mortgage lenders differ in the process of canceling a loan.  You should ask for the names of the appropriate people, phone numbers, fax numbers, addresses, or written instructions on whatever process the company has in place.  In most cases, the right of rescission will not be applicable to HECM for purchase transactions.