For some Exton 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.
Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about reverse mortgage in Exton. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.
Older homeowners in Exton
In Exton, 28% of owner-occupied homes are headed by someone 65 or older, and 36% of owner-occupied homes have no mortgage. Lenders reported 31 reverse mortgages in Chester County 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 want to pay off an existing mortgage to remove a required monthly principal and interest payment
- You can comfortably keep paying property taxes, homeowners insurance and maintenance
- You would like a line of credit available for future expenses such as home modifications or care at home
- You are a homeowner aged 62 or older buying a new primary residence through HECM for Purchase
- 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 Exton
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
- Recent property tax bills and your homeowners and flood insurance declarations
- Notes on how you would prefer to receive funds: line of credit, monthly advances, lump sum or a mix
- Income documents such as Social Security, pension and retirement account statements
- Your HUD-approved counseling certificate, or a plan to schedule the session
- The current balance and statement for any existing mortgage or lien on the home
Questions Exton borrowers ask about reverse mortgage
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.
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.
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 Exton. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.
Other loan options in Exton
LendersCompaniesBrokersHome loansRefinanceCash-out refinanceHELOCHome equity loanFHAVAFirst-time buyerUSDAJumboConstructionRenovation
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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 Chester County