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 Roanoke and Virginia homeowners keep for as long as the loan is open.
Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about reverse mortgage in Roanoke. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.
Older homeowners in Roanoke
In Roanoke, 37% of owner-occupied homes are headed by someone 65 or older, and 39% of owner-occupied homes have no mortgage. 2024 HMDA data for the City of Roanoke show 6 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
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 want to pay off an existing mortgage to remove a required monthly principal and interest payment
- You are married and want to understand protections for a spouse who is not on the loan
- 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 have discussed the impact on your estate with your heirs or family
Local offices and Virginia rules to know
- Property assessment: City of Roanoke Office of Real Estate Valuation. Real Estate Valuation handles assessments, and the Commissioner of the Revenue (https://www.roanokeva.gov/630/Commissioner-of-the-Revenue) runs the Real Estate Tax Relief Program for elderly and disabled homeowners.
Your ongoing duties and what happens to the home in Roanoke
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
- 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
- Notes on how you would prefer to receive funds: line of credit, monthly advances, lump sum or a mix
- A list of monthly obligations so the lender can review your ability to keep up with home costs
- Your HUD-approved counseling certificate, or a plan to schedule the session
Questions Roanoke borrowers ask about reverse mortgage
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.
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.
Get answers about reverse mortgage for a home in or around Roanoke. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.
Other loan options in Roanoke
LendersCompaniesBrokersHome loansRefinanceCash-out refinanceHELOCHome equity loanFHAVAFirst-time buyerConstructionRenovation
Reverse Mortgage near Roanoke
- Reverse Mortgage in Vinton, VA (4 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Hollins, VA (4 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Cave Spring, VA (5 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Salem, VA (5 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Rocky Mount, VA (19 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Bedford, VA (25 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Blacksburg, VA (26 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Christiansburg, VA (26 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 Virginia · Reverse Mortgage guide · Virginia overview
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates
- 2024 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data for City of Roanoke