Reverse Mortgage in Brooklyn, NY

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 Brooklyn and New York homeowners keep for as long as the loan is open.

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

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Older homeowners in Brooklyn

35%Owner households 65+

42%Homes with no mortgage

$905,000Median home value

64Reverse mortgages in Kings County (2024)

In Brooklyn, 35% of owner-occupied homes are headed by someone 65 or older, and 42% of owner-occupied homes have no mortgage. Lenders reported 64 reverse mortgages in Kings County in 2024.

How a HECM reverse mortgage works

A reverse mortgage converts part of your equity into funds you can use, while the debt is repaid later from the home itself. Because interest and mortgage insurance accrue on the balance, the amount owed grows over time and the equity left for you or your heirs shrinks.

The HECM program is insured by the Federal Housing Administration, and the youngest borrower must be 62 or older. The home must be your primary residence and meet FHA property standards. Any existing mortgage is typically paid off from the loan proceeds at closing. Whether a reverse mortgage fits depends on your health, plans, other income and goals for the house, so it deserves careful thought.

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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

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 married and want to understand protections for a spouse who is not on the loan
You would like a line of credit available for future expenses such as home modifications or care at home
You have significant equity and want to supplement retirement income
You want to pay off an existing mortgage to remove a required monthly principal and interest payment
You have discussed the impact on your estate with your heirs or family

Local offices and New York rules to know

Housing counseling: Center for NYC Neighborhoods (Homeowner Help), listed by NYC HPD for free housing counseling and legal referrals, listed on an official local government page.
Property assessment: NYC Department of Finance (property assessment and property tax benefits). Homeowners apply to the NYC Department of Finance for property tax exemptions such as the senior, veterans, and Disabled Homeowners' Exemption; STAR is administered through New York State.

New York property tax relief: Owner-occupants whose home is their primary residence can get school tax relief through the STAR program, and new homeowners register for the STAR credit with the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.

Your ongoing duties and what happens to the home in Brooklyn

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

The current balance and statement for any existing mortgage or lien on the home
Recent property tax bills and your homeowners and flood insurance declarations
A list of monthly obligations so the lender can review your ability to keep up with home costs
Income documents such as Social Security, pension and retirement account statements
Dates of birth for every owner and for any spouse who will live in the home

Questions Brooklyn 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.

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.

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.

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.

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