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Reverse mortgages in Canada: The pros and cons

This post was first published on September 14, 2020, and was last updated on June 21, 2024.

Reverse mortgages can be somewhat controversial – there are both supporters and opponents of this mortgage product, who have been very vocal about its risks and benefits. These loans, which are designed for Canadian retirees, allow homeowners to tap into their home equity as a source of income; as an RBC study finds more than 60% of Canadians worry about outliving their retirement savings, utilizing reverse mortgages to supplement income can seem like an attractive solution.

And, as interest rates and inflation have soared over the past year, more Canadians than ever are using them; according to HomeEquity Bank, one of the two providers of the product in Canada, their reverse mortgage portfolio swelled to $6.28 billion in 2022, a 30% increase from 2021. Over $1 billion of that came in the form of new reverse mortgage originations over the last year alone.

“Canadians have traditionally focused on the dollar value of their home but now I believe people are starting to see the value their home provides as they look to manage their finances in retirement,” said Steven Ranson, HomeEquity Bank President and Chief Executive Officer.

However, despite their growing popularity, it’s important that anyone considering getting one consider the pros and cons; here’s everything you need to know about reverse mortgages in Canada.

What is a reverse mortgage?

A reverse mortgage is a loan that allows senior homeowners (55+) to borrow up to 55% of the value of their home. A reverse mortgage is secured by the equity in your home and, unlike a home equity line of credit (HELOC), it does not require any income verification. Because they are secured by your home, reverse mortgages are considered mortgage products, as opposed to other lines of credit.

If you take out a reverse mortgage, you can use the money to pay for anything you want. Common uses include supplementing day-to-day spending, home repairs, or travel. Debt consolidation and paydown is another typical use for these funds, as is retrofitting the home in order to age in place, or to pay for in-home care.

Borrowers don’t have to pay back the loan or interest until they either sell the home or pass away. Of course, you or your family will rely on the value of your home to pay back the reverse mortgage, which will often mean that you won’t be able to leave your house as part of your inheritance.

In addition to traditional reverse mortgages, there are some new takes on the product now available in the Canadian marketplace, designed to top up seniors' spending power without have to pull out a lump sum from their home's equity. One such example is the

 Bloom Home Equity Prepaid Mastercard, which allows borrowers to access smaller amounts of money on a regular basis; for example, a pre-authorized amount of $1,000 each month. This amount is added to the card each month, and the borrower can spend it however they choose. The balance of the loan and the interest is added to the mortgage, which only needs to be paid off when the home is sold, or the owner passes away, though borrowers can choose to make payments on the card if they wish to. However, the same risks that apply to a typical reverse mortgage also apply here; read on below to learn more about them.

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What are the pros of a reverse mortgage?

There are many advantages of taking out a reverse mortgage:

  • You don’t have to make any regular mortgage payments
  • You don’t have to prove your income in order to qualify
  • The money you borrow is tax-free and does not affect your Old-Age Security or Guaranteed Income Supplement
  • You can decide how you want to receive the money – you can take it as a lump sum, a regular payment, or a combination of the two
  • The money can be spent on whatever you want
  • You get to maintain ownership of your property
  • You don’t have to pay back the loan or interest costs until you sell the home or pass away

What are the cons of a reverse mortgage?

Remember that old saying “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is”? Well, that applies to reverse mortgages too. Some of the disadvantages of taking out a reverse mortgage are:

  • Reverse mortgages can significantly increase the amount of debt you carry, which can result in you having less to leave to your family, or other benefactors of your will
  • Reverse mortgage interest rates are much higher than typical mortgage rates
  • As you borrow more and more equity, interest starts to accumulate faster and faster
  • There are only two lenders that offer reverse mortgages in Canada (HomEquity Bank and Equitable Bank)
  • Additional setup costs (home appraisal fee, application fee, closing costs, etc.) can also add up and are deducted from the amount you’ll receive
  • The only way to get out of a reverse mortgage is to sell your home or pass away
  • You’ll be subject to a penalty if you sell the home or pass away within three years of taking out the reverse mortgage
  • If you pass away, the amount you borrowed plus interest must be repaid within a limited period of time

How do you qualify for a reverse mortgage in Canada?

The Canadian government makes it easy for senior homeowners to qualify for reverse mortgages. The five things lenders typically look at are:

  1. Your age
  2. The equity you have in your home
  3. The appraised value of your home
  4. The location of your home (specifically, the city)
  5. Current interest rates

Typically, as long as you’re 55+ and have a home that’s worth something, you’ll be approved for a reverse mortgage. Generally, the older you are, the larger amount of equity you’ll be able to borrow, as the lender foresees you having less time to spend it.

What are some alternatives to reverse mortgages?

A reverse mortgage is best seen as a last resort to fund your retirement – there are other options for you to consider first. If you’re only part-way through your retirement and can already see the balances of your savings dwindle, you may want to consider one of these other options as a way to supplement your income:

  1. Apply for a HELOC: With a HELOC, you can access up to 65% of the equity in your home and still maintain ownership of your property. There is an income verification requirement in order to qualify, but for seniors earning income through investments, this may not be an issue. HELOC rates are typically lower than those of traditional lines of credit, and you aren’t charged interest on the funds until you actually use them. However, like a credit card, HELOC debt is considered to be revolving, meaning there isn’t a dedicated timeline to pay it off. While this can provide some monthly payment relief for seniors, it can add up to a big debt obligation when it comes time to sell the home, or if the borrower passes away, which will need to be paid back by the estate.

  2. Rent out part of your home: If you just need a little bit of extra money each month, another option would be to rent out a portion of your home – either a room or a full suite. Becoming a landlord may not have been part of your retirement plan, but it’s one more way to maintain ownership of your property.

  3. Downsize and reinvest: If your mortgage is almost, or fully, paid off, a better option may be to sell your home and downsize (either buy something cheaper or rent instead), then save or invest whatever is leftover. Depending on what you invest your money in, you could come out further ahead by going this route.

  4. Explore estate planning options and alternatives with your family: If you’re struggling financially and cannot find any other way to support your retirement other than a reverse mortgage, speak to your family about helping you. Yes, it might be a hit to your pride, but it’s better than suffering in secret, while any inheritance that they might be expecting gets eaten away by a reverse mortgage. Another option may be to sell your property to your adult children, and continuing to live in the property. However, this will depend heavily on the tax implications of your estate, and will likely incur capital gains tax.

  5. Do a cash-out refinance: If you still have a mortgage on your home, another alternative is to refinance it and increase its overall size. This increases the amount you now owe on the mortgage, but you can access the difference between your old and new mortgage amount as cash. As this option will depend on income and existing equity, it may not be a fit for all seniors.

The bottom line: Should you get a reverse mortgage?

If you can avoid getting a reverse mortgage, you should. The alternative ways to fund your retirement that we’ve outlined will leave you more financially stable and with a larger estate to leave to your family when you die. Additionally, losing the equity in your home increases your financial risk if the housing market were to crash, or if something were to happen that forces you to sell.

That being said, if you fully understand the product, have spoken to a financial advisor and your family, and are confident about your decision, a reverse mortgage can be a good way to fund a more dignified retirement. Just be sure to go in with your eyes open.

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