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 Fountainebleau and Florida homeowners keep for as long as the loan is open.
Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about reverse mortgage in Fountainebleau. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.
Older homeowners in Fountainebleau
In Fountainebleau, 42% of owner-occupied homes are headed by someone 65 or older, and 47% of owner-occupied homes have no mortgage. 2024 HMDA data for Miami-Dade County show 258 reverse mortgages.
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.
Start your application in a few minutes. A licensed loan officer reviews it and follows up with your options.
- Takes a few minutes
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- 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
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 have discussed the impact on your estate with your heirs or family
- You can comfortably keep paying property taxes, homeowners insurance and maintenance
- You are a homeowner aged 62 or older buying a new primary residence through HECM for Purchase
- You want to pay off an existing mortgage to remove a required monthly principal and interest payment
Local offices and Florida rules to know
- Property assessment: Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser. The Property Appraiser handles the homestead exemption for permanent owners of a primary residence and offers an online application for homestead exemption and additional tax benefits.
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 Fountainebleau
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
- The current balance and statement for any existing mortgage or lien on 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
- Recent property tax bills and your homeowners and flood insurance declarations
Questions Fountainebleau borrowers ask about reverse mortgage
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.
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.
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 Fountainebleau. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.
Other loan options in Fountainebleau
LendersCompaniesBrokersHome loansRefinanceCash-out refinanceHELOCHome equity loanFHAVAFirst-time buyerConstructionRenovation
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Related guides
- Reverse Mortgage Pros and Cons: What to Know About a HECM
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- 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 Miami-Dade County