How does a reverse mortgage line of credit work?

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A line of credit attached to a home equity conversion mortgage (HECM) has some unique features that distinguish it from the more widely understood home equity line of credit (HELOC). Both allow homeowners to tap equity, but they aren’t identical. Using a HELOC as a jumping-off point, let’s look at the unique advantages a reverse mortgage line of credit with a HECM can offer. 

Home equity line of credit vs. HECM line of credit

A home equity line of credit is a short-term loan with a fixed draw period, usually 5-10 years. Homeowners approved for a HELOC can tap the funds at any time, in the same way they might use a credit card. Available funds decrease as credit use increases. Also, like a credit card, the lender who extends the HELOC can cancel or revoke it for various reasons. A line of credit in a home equity conversion mortgage (HECM), works a bit differently. 

How a line of credit works with a HECM

A line of credit option is not available with all reverse mortgages, but it is an option for all HECMs. Like a HELOC the HECM LOC allows borrowers to pull funds from a reserve of equity. Also, like with HELOCs, reverse mortgage borrowers are not required to use their line of credit and interest only accrues on funds they withdraw. 

How a HECM line of credit differs from a HELOC

There are several important features that distinguish HECM LOCs from regular HELOCs.

Because the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guarantees HECMs, lenders cannot freeze a HECM line of credit if the home drops in value. This feature may not be available with proprietary reverse mortgages.

The payout flexibility that HECMs offer borrowers also extends to the line of credit. HECM borrowers may elect to take equity out as cash or keep it in reserve as a line of credit. They may also choose a combination of the two. The amount available through the line of credit depends on the amount of available equity and how much the borrower chooses to take as cash payments. 

For instance, take a HECM borrower eligible to take $100,000 (after fees) of equity out of their home. Say this borrower elects to take a payout of $50,000 cash and reserve $50,000 as a line of credit. That borrower will have access to an available line of credit of $50,000 on day one of the loan. 

A HECM line of credit grows over time 

A unique feature of a HECM line of credit is that it grows over time. This growth occurs at the same rate as the interest plus the annual mortgage insurance premium (MIP) charged to the loan (0.50% of the principal). Even if the borrower’s home depreciates, the mortgage line of credit will continue to grow at the same rate. 

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