Reverse mortgages: Which banks offer them and what are they?

If you’re an older Australian who owns their own home, you might have heard about using a reverse mortgage as a way to borrow money using the equity you’ve built up in your home.

Despite the name, reverse mortgages aren’t quite the opposite of regular home loans - there’s a bit more to them. So to help you get to grips with the concept, this guide will help explain what reverse mortgages actually are, how they work, as well as some of the benefits and drawbacks involved. We’ll also look at some of the current reverse mortgage offerings for older Australians in 2024.  

A reverse mortgage is a loan, using property as security, which allows older homeowners to make use of the equity in their homes in exchange for a lump sum, ongoing payment or line of credit.

According to regulator ASIC, reverse mortgages have become more popular over the last decade, with loan books from banks having doubled from $1.3 billion to $2.5 billion between 2008 and 2017. 

This is perhaps unsurprising when you consider the rise in property values over the years and the considerable equity that has built up as a result. Equity has become a valuable asset for many homeowners, but unlocking it without selling the actual property isn’t the easiest task. 

That’s why reverse mortgages could be a useful option for older homeowners and retirees who want access to a readily usable source of funds, but don’t want to sell up or entirely relinquish ownership of their homes.

As outlined above, a reverse mortgage is essentially a form of loan that can be taken out by homeowners (typically aged 60 or older) using their own homes as security. These funds can then be used for a whole range of purposes: from day-to-day expenses to larger purchases.

Unlike a traditional home loan where you’re required to make ongoing repayments, a reverse mortgage allows borrowers to continue living in their own homes without making any repayments. Instead, the outstanding balance will be due either when the property is sold, vacated or when the borrower passes away.

Of course, there are costs involved:

• Interest: Reverse mortgage rates are typically higher than home loan interest rates (around 2% higher according to ASIC). It’s also worth noting that because there are no repayments, interest will compound at a faster rate than a typical loan - especially for lump sum payments. 

• Fees: Depending on the lender the type and size of fees will vary, but establishment fees, ongoing service fees and valuation fees are all common. 

What about the amount that you’ll be able to borrow? Each lender will have a minimum and maximum threshold, plus a number of factors that will go into determining your borrowing ability including your age, the value of the property, the way the funds are received (lump sum, regular payment etc.) and the period over which the loan is taken. 

To give you a better idea of your borrowing ability and the impact a loan will have on your equity over time, check out the ASIC Moneysmart reverse mortgage calculator.

Like any loan, a reverse mortgage isn't going to suit everyone. Because of the amount of money involved, and the fact that borrowers will be providing their own homes as security, it’s worth thinking carefully before taking one out. Here are some points to weigh up:

Benefits

• You’ll still own and be able to live in your own home
• Most lenders give the flexibility of choice between borrowing a lump sum, opting for regular instalments or even taking it in the form of a line of credit
• You won’t need to worry about making any ongoing repayments

Drawbacks

• Reverse mortgages aren’t available to everyone - you’ll obviously need to own your own home and be over the age of 60 or 65 depending on the lender
• If you’re not making regular repayments, the interest on the outstanding balance plus any fees involved may compound significantly over time
• As your outstanding balance grows, your equity will decrease over time

Only a few banks are offering reverse mortgages at the moment. Most of the major banks discontinued these products due to a swathe of tighter regulations brought in by the government. However, some banks are still offering reverse mortgage products such as:

• G&C Mutual Bank’s Reverse Mortgage comes with an interest rate of 9.22% p.a. (9.30% p.a. comparison rate) (T&Cs apply) and a $500 establishment fee. You can borrow as much as 40% of the value of your property, or $400,000 (whichever is lower) and you can get the funds as a lump sum.
• Heartland StandardReverse Mortgage offers a variable interest of 9.75% p.a. (comparison rate 9.78% p.a.*) (T&Cs apply) based on a loan of $150,000 for a 25-year term. Single retirees aged 60 can borrow up to 20% of their home value. Every five years, the maximum amount borrowable rises by 5% up to 50% for a 90 year old. 
• Express Reverse Mortgage has an interest rate of 8.65% p.a. (8.67% p.a. comparison rate) (T&Cs apply)for homes worth $400,000 or more. With this reverse mortgage, you can get a lump sum loan from $20,000 up to $50,000. Keep in mind that it comes with $395 application fee.
• IMB Reverse Mortgage offers an interest rate of 8.35% p.a. (8.39% p.a. comparison rate) (T&Cs apply) for borrowers 70 years and older. It comes with a number of options for drawdown including an initial lump sum payment, a scheduled monthly payment, draw when required, or a combination of all three. Be aware that this reverse mortgage does come with an application fee of $449.

Looking for more information on a home loan topic? Head on over to the Mozo home loan guides hub for a huge range of articles and other resources on everything from buying and selling to refinancing and investing.