HUD Shares Plans for New Reverse Mortgage Option

HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary Vicky Bott shared the Department's plans to implement a new variant of the reverse mortgage, referred to as the "HECM Saver," that will provide seniors with a reverse mortgage option that significantly lowers upfront costs by virtually eliminating the upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium that is required under the standard HECM option. Bott also reported accompanying changes intended for the existing HECM product, now referred to as a "HECM Standard." The introduction of the HECM Saver and changes to the HECM Standard are expected to be effective shortly after the new federal fiscal year begins this October.

The primary difference between the two HECM options will be in the cost of the upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) and the amount of the funds, or "principal limit," available to borrowers. The upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium is charged by the Federal Housing Administration to support its insurance fund. Under the HECM Standard option, the upfront MIP will remain at 2% of the value of the property (or 2% of the maximum FHA loan limit of $625,500, if the property has a value greater than that.) HECM Saver will have an upfront MIP of only .01% of the property's value, significantly reducing upfront costs.