In the beginning of June, Generation Mortgage Company re-introduced its proprietary (i.e. not FHA-insured) reverse mortgage product, geared towards homes too expensive to qualify for HECM reverse mortgages. The news has been getting attention, and while I hate to give Generation (more) free publicity, in this case, the attention is warranted.

Since the collapse of the housing market, all national lenders abandoned their proprietary reverse mortgage product lines because the risks (of home decline and loan default) were suddenly too great to justify offering them. The FHA quickly – though somewhat unwittingly – filled the resulting void with ts HECM reverse mortgage, which has since come to represent more than 95% of new reverse mortgage originations.

In response to soaring losses, however, the FHA has begun to clamp down on lenders (by pressuring them to foreclose when justified) and borrowers (by raising insurance premiums and lowering maximum loan amounts). Thus, it would seem that there is now once again for a competitive proprietary product.

Enter Generation Mortgage Company. Its jumbo proprietary reverse mortgage can be used for homes valued between $500,000 and $6 million. Since the loan is not insured by the FHA, borrowers can expect to pay a higher interest rate to compensate the lender for the added risk. Still, even the FTC concedes that this might be the best option for those with expensive homes: “HECMs generally provide bigger loan advances at a lower total cost compared with proprietary loans. But if you own a higher-valued home, you may get a bigger loan advance from a proprietary reverse mortgage.”

It’s hard to say whether this will be the start of a new trend towards proprietary reverse mortgage lending, since for those with moderately priced homes, it seems the FHA HECM is still the most economical choice. However, if other lenders witness strong demand for Generation’s new mortgage and that Generation itself is able to turn a profit, it could lead to a spate of new proprietary reverse mortgage offerings.

5 Responses to “Proprietary Reverse Mortgages Make a Comeback?”

  1. Thomas J. Calhoun Says:

    Who do I contact to see if we qualify for this type of Reverse Mortgage?
    Thanks.
    cell 202-531-1852

  2. Lou Says:

    Information on proprietary loan companies any one know any out there ???

  3. Joe Boyd Says:

    Amboy Bank in NJ does proprietary Reverses but only in NJ as of 8/31/15.

  4. Margaret summers Says:

    Propriety reverse mortgage where and how do we apply for this loan

  5. Just Beth Says:

    HEMCs are the only option for typical borrowers. Only a few states allow proprietary reverse mortgages on properties in their state and only on high value properties. They have basically been re named jumbo reverse mortgages. Ask by that name and you should find two companies issuing them. You can buy direct or through a local mortgage company. Rates tend to be the same. If you are not in a state where they have been approved, you can’t get one.

Have Feedback on This Article?