Reverse Mortgage in Northampton, PA

A reverse mortgage lets homeowners aged 62 or older borrow against their home equity without making monthly principal and interest payments, but it is still a loan that grows over time and must be repaid. If you live in Northampton and are weighing a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, this page covers how it works, the HUD-approved counseling you must complete first and the ongoing obligations that come with it in Pennsylvania.

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

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Older homeowners in Northampton

30%Owner households 65+

32%Homes with no mortgage

$235,200Median home value

29Reverse mortgages in Northampton County (2024)

In Northampton, 30% of owner-occupied homes are headed by someone 65 or older, and 32% of owner-occupied homes have no mortgage. Lenders reported 29 reverse mortgages in Northampton 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.

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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 have discussed the impact on your estate with your heirs or family
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 have significant equity and want to supplement retirement income
You are a homeowner aged 62 or older buying a new primary residence through HECM for Purchase

Local offices and Pennsylvania rules to know

Property assessment: Northampton County Assessment Office.

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 Northampton

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

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

Questions Northampton 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.

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.

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