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Reverse Mortgages (HECM) in Archbald, PA

What reverse mortgage look like in Archbald, and how to take the next step.

For some Archbald homeowners in retirement, home equity is their largest asset, and a reverse mortgage is one way to turn part of it into cash while staying in the house. It carries real tradeoffs: the balance rises, interest and fees add up, and you must keep paying property taxes, homeowners insurance and upkeep. Here is a balanced look at the federally insured HECM and what to ask before you apply.

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Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about reverse mortgage in Archbald. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.

Older homeowners in Archbald

29%Owner households 65+
44%Homes with no mortgage
$217,000Median home value
14Reverse mortgages in Lackawanna County (2024)

In Archbald, 29% of owner-occupied homes are headed by someone 65 or older, and 44% of owner-occupied homes have no mortgage. 2024 HMDA data for Lackawanna County show 14 reverse mortgages.

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.

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Counseling first, then payout choices

HUD requires every HECM borrower, and in many cases a non-borrowing spouse, to complete a session with an independent HUD-approved housing counselor before applying. The counselor explains costs, alternatives such as downsizing or a home equity loan, and how the loan could affect your estate and public benefits. You receive a certificate when you finish.

Once you move forward, you choose how to receive funds. Options can include a lump sum, fixed monthly advances for as long as you live in the home, monthly advances for a set period, a line of credit or a mix. Availability depends on the loan structure, and some choices limit how much you can draw in the first year.

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 can comfortably keep paying property taxes, homeowners insurance and maintenance
  • You have discussed the impact on your estate with your heirs or family
  • The youngest borrower on title is 62 or older and plans to stay in the home long term

Local offices and Pennsylvania rules to know

Pennsylvania property tax relief: Under the Taxpayer Relief Act, owner-occupied primary residences (and qualifying farmsteads) can receive a homestead/farmstead exclusion that lowers school property taxes; homeowners apply through their county assessment office.

Your ongoing duties and what happens to the home in Archbald

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

  • Income documents such as Social Security, pension and retirement account statements
  • Notes on how you would prefer to receive funds: line of credit, monthly advances, lump sum or a mix
  • Dates of birth for every owner and for any spouse who will live in the home
  • Your HUD-approved counseling certificate, or a plan to schedule the session
  • A list of monthly obligations so the lender can review your ability to keep up with home costs

Questions Archbald borrowers ask about reverse mortgage

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.

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.

Is reverse mortgage money mine to keep without repaying it?

No. A reverse mortgage is a loan. Interest, mortgage insurance and fees are added to the balance over time, so the amount you owe grows and the equity left in your home shrinks. The loan must be repaid when it comes due, usually through the sale of the home. It can be a useful tool for some homeowners, but it uses up equity that might otherwise go to you later or to your heirs.

Do I still have to pay anything on a reverse mortgage?

You are not required to make monthly principal and interest payments while you meet the loan terms, but you are responsible for property taxes, homeowners insurance, any flood insurance, association dues and home maintenance. These obligations continue for the life of the loan. If you fall behind, the loan can go into default and the home could be at risk of foreclosure, so budget for them carefully.

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Get answers about reverse mortgage for a home in or around Archbald. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.

Other loan options in Archbald

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Reverse Mortgage near Archbald

Related guides

Reverse Mortgage across Pennsylvania · Reverse Mortgage guide · Pennsylvania overview

  • U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates
  • 2024 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data for Lackawanna County
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