Your membership has expired

The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us.

Re-activate

Save products you love, products you own and much more!

Save products icon

Other Membership Benefits:

Savings icon Exclusive Deals for Members Best time to buy icon Best Time to Buy Products Recall tracker icon Recall & Safety Alerts TV screen optimizer icon TV Screen Optimizer and more

    Reverse mortgages are up, but don't ignore downsides

    Consumer Reports News: January 22, 2009 12:04 PM

    No big surprise here, given the economic strain that many retired (not to mention non-retired) households are under these days, but reverse mortgage originations were up in 2008, according to new industry and government reports.

    While these loans, also called home equity conversion mortgages or HECMs, do give people age 62 and over a way to draw on their equity while still living in their homes, they aren't to be entered into lightly, as our Consumer Reports Money Adviser newsletter explained recently. In case you or someone you know are thinking about one, here's our report on reverse mortgage expenses and other traps. — Greg Daugherty

    Greg writes the "Retirement Guy" column each month in the Consumer Reports Money Adviser newsletter.


    E-mail Newsletters

    FREE e-mail Newsletters! Choose from cars, safety, health, and more!
    Already signed-up?
    Manage your newsletters here too.

    Money News

    Cars

    Cars Build & Buy Car Buying Service
    Save thousands off MSRP with upfront dealer pricing information and a transparent car buying experience.

    See your savings

    Mobile

    Mobile Get Ratings on the go and compare
    while you shop

    Learn more