What to Expect When You Attend
Reverse Mortgage Counseling for HECM       

More Details About Reverse Mortgage Counseling - click here!

About Reverse Mortgage Counseling
Reverse Mortgage Counseling is required to obtain a Reverse Mortgage. You can attend in person counseling at a local HUD approved counseling office or you can receive Reverse Mortgage Counseling by phone. Your counselor is a HUD approved Reverse Mortgage counselor and familiar with the basic Reverse Mortgage products. Your counseling will last about one hour, and depending on your questions it may take longer.

Be sure to bring your questions to your counseling session and also pen and paper to write down information. Your counselor will go over your budget to see if a Reverse Mortgage suits your needs.

The counselor will review the current Reverse Mortgage program with you and answer all your questions. They are not loan officers, nor do they represent any particular lender. They are an independent HUD approved counseling agent.

After you receive counseling you will receive a Reverse Mortgage Counseling Certificate which your counselor will sign and date. This certificate is good for six months. You sign the certificate and date it after your session is complete. If you receive counseling by phone your certificate will be mailed to you. This certificate is then turned over to your Reverse Mortgage Specialist, and you retain a copy. Once your Reverse Mortgage Specialist receives your HECM counseling certificate the process can begin and an appraisal of your home and title searches can be ordered.

There is now a HECM counseling fee of $75.00 to $125.00 with many HECM counseling agencies. Check with each agency regarding this fee as some are waiving this fee.

Who Can Attend Reverse Mortgage Counseling?
Family members who wish to attend may be present at Reverse Mortgage counseling. You may also invite a friend to come along with you. In cases where there is a Power of Attorney and where the borrower is unable to attend counseling for medical reasons, the Power Attorney attends the counseling. If the borrower is unable to sign documents or is unable to understand the process due to an illness, the Power of Attorney will sign the documents at application and closing. A copy of the Power of Attorney must be provided to your counselor. To find a HECM counselor in your area, click here for HUD.gov.

Alternatives to Reverse Mortgages from AARP's websote:

• "Low-Cost Public Loans (used for home repairs for low to moderate incomes)

• More Costly Private Loans

• Public Benefits: Government programs that may be a better choice than reverse mortgages.

• Seriously Consider Selling"

Click here for AARP's website.

Click here to find a HECM Counselor

Reverse Mortgage Safeguards

• Free Reverse Mortgage Information, call 1-888-843-9797