Comments on: Reverse Mortgage Malarkey – When Equity Equals Inheritance Who’s Looking Out For Who?

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:27:31 +0000

I enjoyed reading this article. People do seem to only give themselves one or two choices and dismiss all other options.
The key, as the article points out, is to openly communicate and educate the family on ALL prospects and avenues that are available. Then an educated decision can be made, in the best interest of the senior/parent.

By: Bill H

Bill H — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:08:02 +0000

Meaghan,

Excellent read and very thought provoking. To add my 2 cents, I would like to speak to those who have commented on your piece and express my thoughts in General.

A reverse mortgage, in my opinion, is yet another vehicle for fleecing those who find themselves in a position of Financial strife. Even though large numbers of these contracts have been written, does not justify their existence. Whether these Contracts have been written by a large Financial institutionss or Fly by night loan companies makes no difference either. Remember, we followed our own Countries Government programs like FHA on decisions that lead us to where we are now.

Anything that sounds to good to be true is exactly right. Someone, somewhere is getting the shaft while someone, somewhere is lining their pockets. AKA…Capitalism.

Let’s also put into perspective the kind of folks that may find Reverse Mortgages attractive. They are not the elderly that may come to mind in rocking chair and shawl, but the still vibrant Baby boomer generation. The same generation by large percentage, that has done a very poor job of saving and managing there money. There backs are up against a wall, with no where to turn….usher in the wolves. It is the beginning of the end to this countries preservation of wealth, when we now have to deal with the irresponsibility’s of a generation and inherent yet another financial burden that will dwarf anything we are going through today.

Reverse Mortgage is just another vehicle on the road that will help us all get to the inevitable, but just a little bit quicker.

After all, advertisements for Reverse Mortgages, that run in the middle of day with Savvy spokesman who’s own acting careers are washed up, should be evidence and warning enough.

Thanks Meg!

By: RickM

RickM — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:56:31 +0000

Cindy, you’re comment is incorrect about reverse mortgages. They are unassumable loans meaning the kids can’t inherit a bad loan. The loan is automatically paid back upon the sale of the home or upon the refinancing after the death of the last remaining homeowner. So the kids end up with money, not a house to deal with unless of course they want the house for their own (then they pay back the money that mom used). If its not a good deal for the child to pay a large percentage of the value of the home, then don’t do it. But don’t blame it on the parents if they needed the money.

You’re right about fraud with these loans, there is some but its no where near as prevalent as the news would lend you to believe. They get one deal and they run it into the ground. In the past 2 years there have been over 200,000 reverse mortgages originated; if they were really as bad as some of you think, they would not be getting done. You hand onto one tiny ounce of fear and you can’t move toward a decision. Don’t deal with the little guys out there if you’re worried, deal with a larger operation that has some under their belt.

Great post Meghan!

By: Meghan

Meghan — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:05:52 +0000

Hi Cindy, Thanks for your comment. As the daughter of two hardworking senior parents (one who is retired and watching her retirement savings diminish, and one who can’t fully retire for the same reasons)I couldn’t relate to you more. I’m incredibly overprotective of my parents. To your point “all the opposition is really greedy children”, you’re exactly right: It’s certainly not the only reason clients and kids of clients object to reverse mortgages (See Reason #1 which is the bulk of the opposition). I’m speaking about the trend of children who ARE actually acting in the interest of themselves and their inheritance rather than the interest of the parents who’ve raised them (See line: …You can object to reverse mortgages for any reason EXCEPT this one).
Thanks for your comment again, Cindy.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:18:26 +0000

I totally disagree that the main reason retirees’ kids object is basically greed. The main reason they object is because the old addage, “If something sounds too good to be true, it is,” still holds. People don’t want to see their parents get ripped off and there are many mortgage fraud cases going on right now. They also don’t want to inherit a problem that needs cleaning up, whether the parent is still living or not, because the kid will be the one to help straighten out the rip-off if it happens. Just as parents rightfully don’t want to end up “inheriting” their kids’ bad decisions, (e.g. cosigning for a loan they know the kid can’t pay back), grown kids don’t want to encourage or be stuck with an elderly parent’s poor choice of a mortgage. This tactic of saying all the opposition is really greedy children seems self serving, for the benefit of the industry doing reverse mortgages. What better way to alienate seniors from their kids and leave them vulnerable to scams than convince them their kids ARE the ones they should be suspicious of? Disgusting.

By: Pam

Pam — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:06:49 +0000

THANK YOU! Thank you for writing about seniors children who are more concerned about their own personal gain, than their parents comfort or safety.

I have been involved with reverse mortgages for many years, and have seen many children talk their parents out of a reverse mortgage, when the parents REALLY need a reverse mortgage. It’s very sad.