A Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, or HECM, is the reverse mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration, and the youngest borrower must be at least 62. Before you can apply, you must meet with a HUD-approved housing counselor. This page explains payout choices, repayment, what happens for heirs and spouses, and the responsibilities Alexandria and Virginia homeowners keep for as long as the loan is open.
Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about reverse mortgage in Alexandria. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.
Older homeowners in Alexandria
In Alexandria, 28% of owner-occupied homes are headed by someone 65 or older, and 24% of owner-occupied homes have no mortgage. Lenders reported 12 reverse mortgages in the City of Alexandria in 2024.
How a HECM reverse mortgage works
With a traditional mortgage, you pay the lender each month and your balance falls. With a reverse mortgage, the lender advances money to you, and the balance rises as interest, mortgage insurance and any fees are added. You keep title to the home.
No monthly principal and interest payment is required while at least one borrower lives in the home as a primary residence and meets the loan terms. You may make voluntary payments if you choose. The loan generally becomes due when the last borrower sells, moves out for an extended period or passes away. How much you can access depends on the age of the youngest borrower, the home value and other factors set by HUD and the lender.
Start your application in a few minutes. A licensed loan officer reviews it and follows up with your options.
- Takes a few minutes
- Reviewed by a licensed loan officer
- No obligation to proceed
Prefer to talk first? Call (888) 912-6746. Applying is not a loan approval or commitment to lend; programs vary by borrower, property and investor. ClearPoint Mortgage Advisors, NMLS #173855. Properties in FL, NY, NJ, PA, CT and VA only.
Counseling first, then payout choices
Before any lender can take a HECM application, you must meet with a counselor approved by HUD. The session is designed to make sure you understand the loan, its costs and the alternatives. It is your chance to ask hard questions without a sales pitch. Bringing family members can help everyone understand the plan.
Payout options give you flexibility. A line of credit lets you draw only what you need, and unused credit may grow over time under program rules. Monthly advances can supplement retirement income. A single lump sum is also possible but may limit future access. Talk through how each choice interacts with taxes and benefits, and for tax questions talk to a tax professional.
Who this tends to fit
- You are a homeowner aged 62 or older buying a new primary residence through HECM for Purchase
- You would like a line of credit available for future expenses such as home modifications or care at home
- You want to pay off an existing mortgage to remove a required monthly principal and interest payment
- The youngest borrower on title is 62 or older and plans to stay in the home long term
- You have discussed the impact on your estate with your heirs or family
Local offices and Virginia rules to know
- Property assessment: City of Alexandria Office of Real Estate Assessments.
Your ongoing duties and what happens to the home in Alexandria
Staying current on property taxes, insurance and maintenance is a condition of the loan for its entire life. Missed tax or insurance payments are a leading cause of reverse mortgage defaults, so plan for these costs before you apply.
When the last borrower leaves the home, heirs have options. They can sell the property and keep any equity above the loan balance, refinance or pay off the loan to keep the house, or hand the property over to the lender. Federal rules give them a limited window to decide and act. Because HECMs are non-recourse, heirs are generally not personally liable for any shortfall if the home sells for less than the balance owed.
Before you call
- A list of monthly obligations so the lender can review your ability to keep up with home costs
- Your HUD-approved counseling certificate, or a plan to schedule the session
- Dates of birth for every owner and for any spouse who will live in the home
- The current balance and statement for any existing mortgage or lien on the home
- Income documents such as Social Security, pension and retirement account statements
Questions Alexandria borrowers ask about reverse mortgage
What protections exist for a spouse who is not on the loan?
HUD rules provide protections for an eligible non-borrowing spouse, often a spouse who is younger than 62 when the loan closes. If certain conditions are met and the spouse is named in the loan documents, they may be able to stay in the home after the borrower dies, as long as they keep up with taxes, insurance and upkeep. They cannot draw additional funds. Ask the counselor and lender to explain these rules for your situation.
What happens to my home when I pass away?
The loan generally becomes due when the last borrower dies or permanently leaves the home. Your heirs can sell the house and keep any proceeds beyond the loan balance, pay off or refinance the loan to keep the property, or turn it over to the lender. Because a HECM is non-recourse, heirs are generally not personally responsible if the home is worth less than the balance owed.
Will a reverse mortgage affect my government benefits?
Loan proceeds are generally not treated as income, but how they interact with needs-based benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income depends on how and when you use the funds. Money kept in a bank account could count as an asset. Social Security and Medicare are generally not affected. Ask your HUD-approved counselor, a benefits specialist or an elder law attorney, and for tax questions talk to a tax professional.
Who can get a HECM reverse mortgage?
The youngest borrower must be 62 or older, the home must be your primary residence and you need substantial equity. The property must meet FHA standards, and eligible types include single-family homes, some two-to-four unit homes you live in, and certain condominiums and manufactured homes. You must also complete HUD-approved counseling and show you can keep paying property taxes, insurance and upkeep. Approval is subject to the lender's review.
Get answers about reverse mortgage for a home in or around Alexandria. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.
Other loan options in Alexandria
LendersCompaniesBrokersHome loansRefinanceCash-out refinanceHELOCHome equity loanFHAVAFirst-time buyerJumboConstructionRenovation
Reverse Mortgage near Alexandria
- Reverse Mortgage in Huntington, VA (2 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Rose Hill, VA (2 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Bailey's Crossroads, VA (3 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Belle Haven, VA (3 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Lincolnia, VA (4 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Groveton, VA (4 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Arlington, VA (4 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Lake Barcroft, VA (4 mi)
Related guides
- Reverse Mortgage Pros and Cons: What to Know About a HECM
- HELOC vs. Home Equity Loan: Which Way to Tap Your Equity
- Closing Costs Explained
Reverse Mortgage across Virginia · Reverse Mortgage guide · Virginia overview
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates
- 2024 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data for City of Alexandria