The Daily Real Estate News reported today that the limit for FHA-backed reverse mortgages (or Home Equity Conversion Mortgages - HECMs) had been increased to $417,000.

This new regulation also places a 2% cap on origination fees for the first $200K of the loan amount, or a 1% cap for higher amounts, with a $6,000 limit (adjustable for inflation).

Senior citizens will be allowed to use HECMs to purchase a new property, and lenders will no longer be allowed to sell annuities and other financial products along with the mortgage.

I think this will increase the flexibility for those seniors (like my own parents) who are “house-rich” but “cash poor”. Good move!!