When living on a fixed income in your senior years, the banking world doesn’t make it easy to tap your home’s equity. Traditional home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) require income you may not have, while reverse mortgages place significant stress on estate planning. Longbridge Financial, long known for its reverse mortgages, now offers an alternative for retirees: the HELOC for Seniors®. Built for homeowners 62 and older, it promises lighter payments and easier access to cash than regular HELOCs. Tradit ...

Core Insights - PHH Mortgage has launched a proprietary reverse mortgage product named EquityIQ, aimed at helping senior homeowners access their home equity [1][2] - The product is designed to complement the existing Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) offerings and is targeted at a market with an estimated $14 trillion in senior home equity [2] - EquityIQ is expected to provide new opportunities for PHH's wholesale partners and their clients, enhancing the company's product offerings [2] Product Information - EquityIQ is a private jumbo reverse mortgage available to homeowners aged 55 and older, allowing access to more funds compared to traditional HECM [7] - The maximum loan amount for EquityIQ is $4 million, with no upfront or ongoing mortgage insurance and no monthly servicing fee [7] - Eligible property types include single-family homes, condominiums, townhomes, multi-family properties (2-4 units), and planned unit developments [7] - Borrowers must continue to pay property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA fees, and maintenance costs, and must receive counseling from a PHH-approved housing counseling agency [7] Company Overview - PHH Mortgage is a subsidiary of Onity Group Inc., a leading non-bank financial services company focused on mortgage servicing and originations [4] - The company has been operational since 1988 and has a significant presence in the United States and internationally [4] - Liberty Reverse Mortgage, another brand under Onity Group, is one of the largest reverse mortgage lenders in the nation [4]

Years ago, reverse mortgages had a shady reputation for putting older homeowners into too much debt. Now, thanks to higher standards and oversight, these mortgage types can be great tools for seniors looking to boost their income during their retirement years. Best reverse mortgage lenders of October 2025 Best reverse mortgage company overall: Mutual of Omaha The Yahoo view: Mutual of Omaha consistently ranks among the top-volume reverse mortgage lenders in the nation and offers an extensive selec ...

Core Insights - Government home loans play a crucial role in making homeownership affordable for Americans, particularly for first-time home buyers and those with modest means [1][2] - These loans are typically backed by the federal government, which encourages lenders to offer loans to borrowers who may not qualify for conventional mortgages [2][3] Types of Government Home Loans - Government home loans can be categorized into three main types, each serving different borrower needs and situations [4] - FHA loans, backed by the Federal Housing Administration, offer down payments as low as 3.5% but require mortgage insurance premiums [5] - VA loans, available to military-connected borrowers, typically require no down payment and have relaxed credit standards [20][21] - USDA loans are designed for low- to moderate-income households in eligible rural and suburban areas, often requiring no down payment [25][26] Specific Loan Programs - The FHA 203(b) loan is the primary tool for home purchase and refinance, financing single-family homes or up to four units [6] - FHA Streamline Refinance allows homeowners to exchange existing FHA loans for lower interest rates with less paperwork [12] - VA cash-out refinance loans allow borrowers to tap into home equity, similar to civilian loans [23] - USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program assists low- to moderate-income households through approved private lenders [27] Unique Loan Features - The FHA Energy Efficient Mortgage Program helps finance energy efficiency improvements, potentially lowering utility costs [14] - The FHA Rehabilitation Mortgage Standard 203(k) allows financing for extensive home improvements [15] - The USDA Section 504 Home Repair program offers loans at a fixed interest rate of 1% for home repairs to very-low-income households [29] Additional Considerations - Government-backed loan programs typically limit borrowers to one program at a time, such as having either an FHA loan or a USDA loan [33] - Grants may be available from government programs for specific demographics, such as single parents [34] - FHA rules stipulate that homes purchased with government-backed loans must be owned for more than 90 days before they can be flipped [35]