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 Cocoa and Florida homeowners keep for as long as the loan is open.
Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about reverse mortgage in Cocoa. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.
Older homeowners in Cocoa
In Cocoa, 40% of owner-occupied homes are headed by someone 65 or older, and 47% of owner-occupied homes have no mortgage. 2024 HMDA data for Brevard County show 97 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.
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
- The youngest borrower on title is 62 or older and plans to stay in the home long term
- 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 have significant equity and want to supplement retirement income
- You can comfortably keep paying property taxes, homeowners insurance and maintenance
Local offices and Florida rules to know
- Property assessment: Brevard County Property Appraiser's Office (BCPAO). Owner-occupants who permanently reside in their homes apply for the homestead exemption with the Brevard County Property Appraiser, online or in person at its offices.
Florida property tax relief: Owners who make a Florida property their permanent residence (or a dependent's) may qualify for the homestead exemption, applied for through the property appraiser in the county where the property is located.
Your ongoing duties and what happens to the home in Cocoa
A reverse mortgage does not relieve you of homeownership costs. You must keep paying property taxes, homeowners insurance and any flood insurance or association dues, and you must maintain the home in reasonable repair. Falling behind on these obligations can put the loan into default and may lead to foreclosure. Lenders review your finances during the application to judge whether you can keep up, and some borrowers are required to set aside funds for taxes and insurance.
When the loan comes due, the home is usually sold to repay it, or heirs may pay it off and keep the property. HECMs are non-recourse loans, so the amount owed generally cannot exceed the home's value at the time it is sold.
Before you call
- 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
- Notes on how you would prefer to receive funds: line of credit, monthly advances, lump sum or a mix
- Recent property tax bills and your homeowners and flood insurance declarations
- Your HUD-approved counseling certificate, or a plan to schedule the session
Questions Cocoa borrowers ask about reverse mortgage
Can I use a reverse mortgage to buy a home?
Yes. A HECM for Purchase lets borrowers aged 62 or older buy a new primary residence and finance part of the price with a reverse mortgage, paying the rest from savings or the sale of a prior home. This can help when downsizing or moving closer to family without taking on a required monthly principal and interest payment. The same counseling, occupancy and ongoing cost obligations apply.
Why is HUD-approved counseling required?
A reverse mortgage is a complex decision with long-term effects on your finances and estate. HUD requires a session with an independent, HUD-approved counselor before you apply so you understand how the loan works, what it costs, how the balance grows and what alternatives exist. The counselor does not work for the lender. You will receive a certificate showing you completed counseling, which the lender needs before moving forward.
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.
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.
Get answers about reverse mortgage for a home in or around Cocoa. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.
Other loan options in Cocoa
LendersCompaniesBrokersHome loansRefinanceCash-out refinanceHELOCHome equity loanFHAVAFirst-time buyerUSDAConstructionRenovation
Reverse Mortgage near Cocoa
- Reverse Mortgage in Cocoa West, FL (2 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Rockledge, FL (5 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Port St. John, FL (7 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Merritt Island, FL (7 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Viera East, FL (9 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Cocoa Beach, FL (9 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Viera West, FL (10 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Cape Canaveral, FL (10 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 Florida · Reverse Mortgage guide · Florida overview
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates
- 2024 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data for Brevard County