: As the buyer, your purchase price must be high enough to cover the full reverse mortgage balance plus any other liens, unless the lender agrees to a short sale.
: If you are an heir buying the home, HUD rules allow you to purchase it for 95% of its appraised value , even if the loan balance is higher. buying a home that has a reverse mortgage
: Request a formal payoff statement in writing, including the FHA case number and property address, to know the exact amount needed to clear the lien. : As the buyer, your purchase price must
: If the original borrower is deceased, you must work with the authorized heir or executor to communicate with the lender's servicing department. : If the original borrower is deceased, you
: Be aware that lenders typically give heirs 30 days to decide on a course of action once the loan is called due, though extensions up to 6 months (and sometimes 12) may be possible if the home is actively being sold. Financial Checklist for Buyers Reverse Mortgages - FTC Consumer Advice
: If the loan balance exceeds the home's value, the seller (or their heirs) may need to pursue a Short Sale with the lender’s servicing department to facilitate the transaction. The Purchase Process
Buying a home that has an existing reverse mortgage is a unique real estate transaction that requires careful attention to the payoff amount and specific lender timelines. Unlike a standard sale, the loan balance on a reverse mortgage often increases over time, and the seller may have limited equity.