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Hazard Insurance
Insurance coverage that compensates for physical damage to a property from fire, wind, vandalism, or other hazards.

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)
A special type of mortgage that enables older home owners to convert the equity they have in their homes into cash, using a variety of payment options to address their specific financial needs. Unlike traditional home equity loans, a borrower does not qualify on the basis of income but on the value of his or her home. In addition, the loan does not have to be repaid until the borrower no longer occupies the property. Sometimes called a reverse mortgage.

A Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) is a type of home loan that lets homeowners aged 62 or over with little or no remaining balance on their mortgage convert their equity into cash. The equity can be paid to the homeowner in a lump sum, in a stream of payments, draws from a line of credit, or a combination of monthly payments and line of credit.

Whatever payment plan you select, you do not have to repay any part of this reverse mortgage until you sell the home or vacate it for another reason. At that time, you pay the loan balance, plus any accrued interest. Any proceeds above that amount go to you or to your estate.

Developed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the HECM mortgage provides a cash growth feature not found with some other reverse mortgages -- check with your Fannie Mae approved lender to see how this works based on your personal needs and your payment plan.

     Advantages:

• The funds are yours to spend in any way you choose.
• There are no monthly payments with a HECM.
• Your loan funds do not affect Social Security or Medicare benefits. (If you receive Supplemental Social Security or Medicaid, these benefits may be affected.)
• You do not have to pay back the loan until you sell your home or no longer use it for your primary residence. Then, you or your estate will repay the cash you received from the HECM, plus interest and other finance charges to the lender. This means that the remaining equity in your home can be passed on to your heirs through the sale of the property.
• You will never owe more than the value of the home at the time of repayment, even if the loan balance exceeds the value of your property. This means no debt will ever be passed along to the estate or your heirs.

     Details:

• You and any co-borrowers must be at least 62 years old.
• You must own your home outright -- or carry a small mortgage balance.
• Eligible properties include a single-family home, a two- to four-unit dwelling, a condominium or a manufactured home. All housing types must meet Federal Housing Administration (FHA) guidelines. (Ask your lender if your property qualifies.)
• Your home must be your principal residence, which means you must live in it more than half the year.
• You must attend pre-application mortgage counseling before you apply for the loan.
• You must keep applicable taxes current, as well as maintain insurance coverage on your home.
• The amount you can borrow with a HECM depends on the age of the youngest borrower(s), the interest rate, how much your house is worth, and the maximum claim amount. In general, you can get between one-third and one-half of your equity as a line of credit or as a lump sum payment.
• The balance of funds advanced against the equity in your home is due and payable when you relinquish your home as a primary residence, or if the borrower(s) pass away. You may have to pay off the debt if you fail to pay property taxes or insurance or if you do not maintain your property.
  

Home Equity Line of Credit
A mortgage loan, which is usually in a subordinate position, that allows the borrower to obtain multiple advances of the loan proceeds at his or her own discretion, up to an amount that represents a specified percentage of the borrower's equity in a property.

Home Inspection
A thorough inspection that evaluates the structural and mechanical condition of a property. A satisfactory home inspection is often included as a contingency by the purchaser. Contrast with appraisal.

The home inspection reviews the structural and mechanical condition of the property. This is not an evaluation of the market value of the home or a determination of whether the home complies with applicable building and safety codes. The inspection does not include a recommendation on whether you should or should not buy the house.

The inspector bases the findings on observable structural elements of the home. Potential home buyers are urged to be present during the inspection -- this will allow you to ask questions and be in a better position to learn more about any problems that arise.

You should expect to see an evaluation of:

• roof and siding,
• windows and doors,
• foundation,
• insulation,
• ventilation,
• heating and cooling systems,
• plumbing and electrical systems,
• walls, floors, and ceilings,
• and any common areas if you are purchasing a condominium or cooperative.

You should view the home inspection report as a way to identify problems before you buy the home, to help negotiate adjustments in the purchase price if problems exist, and to help get the buyer to make any needed improvements before you buy the home.

Lastly -- and for some buyers most importantly -- the home inspection report is a way to make you feel confident that the home you are buying includes systems that are in good working condition.

Homeowner's Insurance
Homeowner's insurance -- also called "hazard insurance" -- should be equal to at least the replacement cost of the property you want to purchase. Replacement cost coverage ensures that your home will be fully rebuilt in case of a total loss.

Most home buyers purchase a homeowner's insurance policy that includes personal liability insurance in case someone is injured on their property; personal property coverage for loss and damage to personal property due to theft or other events; and dwelling coverage to protect the house against fire, theft, weather damage, and other hazards.

If the home you want to buy is located near water, you may be able to get flood insurance as part of your homeowner's protection. In fact, it may be required in some areas, so check with your real estate professional or an approved lender for further information.

Seek out and compare rates from several insurance companies before making your final decision.

Lenders often want the first year's premium to be paid at or before closing. Your lender may add the insurance cost to your monthly mortgage payments and keep this portion of your payments in an escrow account. The lender then pays your insurance bill out of escrow when it receives premium notices from your insurance company.

Homeowner's Insurance for Reverse Mortgages
Homeowner's insurance (also called "hazard insurance") is required and should be equal to at least the replacement cost of the home you want to purchase. Replacement cost coverage ensures that your home will be fully rebuilt in case of a total loss.

Most home buyers purchase a homeowner's insurance policy that includes personal liability insurance (though this personal liability insurance is not required) in case someone is injured on their property; personal property coverage for loss and damage to property due to theft or other events; and dwelling coverage to protect the house against fire, theft, weather damage, and other hazards.

If the home is near water, you may be able to get flood insurance as part of your homeowner's protection. In fact, it may be required in some areas, so check with your real estate professional or an approved lender for further information.

Seek out and compare rates from several insurance companies before making your final decision.

Homeowners' Association
A nonprofit association that manages the common areas of a planned unit development (PUD) or condominium project. In a condominium project, it has no ownership interest in the common elements. In a PUD project, it holds title to the common elements.

Homeowner's Warranty (HOW)
A type of insurance that covers repairs to specified parts of a house for a specific period of time. It is provided by the builder or property seller as a condition of the sale.

HomeStyle® Construction-to-Permanent Mortgage
This mortgage gives you the financial power to build your own home -- you can borrow money to build a home from the ground up or to finish building a home that's currently under construction. This loan provides financing from the construction through the purchase phases of your new home.

     Advantages:

• You enjoy peace of mind by locking in fixed interest rates on both the construction and permanent mortgage financing phases of your home purchase in one convenient loan.
• You can borrow a minimum of 95 percent of the construction cost or the as-completed value of the property (which means your down payment can be as low as 5 percent).
  
• You can use this mortgage to purchase land upon which you build your home.
• You save money because there is one set of closing costs, compared to those associated with separate loans for construction and occupancy.
• You pay interest only on the funds disbursed during construction.
• This mortgage can be used for construction that's already under way.

     Details:

• A minimum down payment of 5 percent for a one-unit home and 10 percent for two-unit homes.
• Construction phases of six, nine, or 12 months, with extensions available up to six months, are allowed.
• This loan is available for one- and two-unit owner-occupied homes, one-unit second homes, and one-unit investor homes.
• You can choose a 15- or 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. You can also include the construction phase in these terms, or not, depending on your preference.
• You can also finance with fixed-period ARMs.

Housing Expense Ratio
The percentage of gross monthly income that goes toward paying housing expenses.