Reverse mortgages aren't easy to understand. They work very differently than the types of mortgages you can get to buy a house. And the way you structure your reverse mortgage, along with life events and housing market conditions you can't predict or control, have a major impact on the amount of proceeds you'll receive and how well a reverse mortgage will help you solve your financial problems or create a more comfortable retirement.
I've been researching these loans for months for a series of articles for Investopedia. I've read the mortgage lender handbooks, government regulations, government reports, and books by mortgage insiders that lay out the rules on how these loans work. Check out the articles below, where I've translated all that information into language the average consumer can understand to help you figure out if a reverse mortgage is a good idea in your situation and what to look out for.
Yes, You Can Buy a Home with a Reverse Mortgage
How to Avoid Outliving Your Reverse Mortgage
How to Choose a Reverse Mortgage Payment Plan
Find the Right Reverse Mortgage Counseling Agency
How Regulations Protect Reverse Mortgage Borrowers
5 Signs a Reverse Mortgage Is a Bad Idea
5 Signs a Reverse Mortgage Is a Good Idea
Guidelines for FHA Reverse Mortgages
Reverse Mortgage: Could Your Widow(er) Lose the House?
Protect Yourself Against Reverse Mortgage Scams
Find a Reverse Mortgage Lender You Can Trust