Four reasons why a reverse mortgage is not a sound idea

Four reasons why a reverse mortgage is not a sound idea

A reverse mortgage is a loan taken against the value of the home (equity) to meet certain expenses, debt obligations, and even supplement income during a financial crisis. It allows homeowners to convert a part of their home value into cash for expenses and retain the ownership of the property simultaneously. However, reverse mortgage eligibility and feasibility are quite complicated and there are times when it is not a good option, especially for seniors (common applicants for a reverse mortgage) above the age of 60. Here are a few reasons why.

  • Home eligible for inheritance
    Senior homeowners can benefit from reverse mortgage eligibility only if they can take a loan against their home and repay the same in a timely manner. However, in case the homeowner passes away and the property is inherited by their children, who might not be in a financially sound position to repay the impending mortgage. The inability to do so can result in selling the property to repay the outstanding debt and in the process lose complete ownership. So before taking a reverse mortgage, homeowners must account for the financial status of the people who will inherit the home in the future.
  • Sharing owned property
    People living on the property are forced to vacate it in case the owner is unable to repay the reverse mortgage. This means every occupant of the house, including relatives, family, and even close friends living temporarily may suddenly find themselves on the streets. There is absolutely no harm in considering a second mortgage when the owner lives alone and has the means to repay the loan. Otherwise, it is a risky venture for people who share their living space and are not in a financially sound position.
  • Paying additional expenses
    Along with repaying the reverse mortgage, you also have the responsibility of paying property taxes and premiums of homeowners’ insurance. As the mortgage is in the owner’s name, the burden of paying for the new expenses also falls on the person whose name appears on the property title deed. In the case of a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), one of the most popular types of reverse mortgage, the borrower must pay an additional premium on top of the insurance and taxes to secure the funding.
  • Capped loan amounts
    Understand that homeowners might not get a third or in some cases, even half the value of the home equity with a reverse mortgage. Most of these amounts are capped by banks and financial institutions, especially with a HECM loan. Unless it is absolutely necessary, senior homeowners should avoid taking a reverse mortgage and risk losing value in terms of equity. Another drawback is that homeowners are forced to comply with stringent repayment rules regarding the mortgage. The interest alone will keep accruing on the unpaid balance of the loan taken every year. This makes it an expensive option especially for people who are retired.
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Top automated investing services that make investment easy for all

Automated investing services or Robo advisors are becoming popular by the day, and financial experts around the world only expect to see a surge in their usage. This is because these intelligent services offer one crucial advantage that many investors benefit from: low-cost financial advice. With many top financial services companies jumping in the race to provide customers with the best automated investing services, there are plenty of great options available for every kind of investor.What is a Robo advisor and how much does it cost?A Robo advisor is a digital platform that provides algorithmic-driven money management services that require virtually no human supervision. It does this by collecting client data like financial situation, future goals, and other details through an online survey. This data is then used to automatically manage clients' assets and provide them with the most suitable financial advice. Robo advisors are immensely cheaper than human financial advisors. Most services only charge an annual management fee that is anywhere between 0.25% and 0.5% of the account balance. Depending on your need, you can even find good Robo advisors that offer services free of charge and low minimum balance value. Top Robo advisors in the marketThere are several low-cost Robo advisors that you can choose based on your needs and preferences. Here are some of the best automated investing services or Robo advisors available in the market today.BettermentBetterment is one of the oldest and the most popular players in the industry. It allows clients to invest in a range of funds chosen for you to improve returns. It offers automatic rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting, a personalized retirement plan, and can even sync your outside holdings like bank accounts and any other investments. At extra cost, you can up your investing game by talking to a certified financial advisor on the phone.Management fee: 0.25%Account minimum: $0https://www.betterment.com/investing/SoFI InvestA go-to choice for student loan refinancing, SoFi has now expanded its services into automated investing with its user-friendly investment management system. The company provides goal-based planning, automatic rebalancing, and diversifies your money to help reach your financial goals. Plus, you’ll receive member benefits like career services, discounts on SoFi products, and the opportunity to speak to a human advisor—everything at zero cost. Management fee: noneAccount minimum: $1https://www.sofi.com/invest/automated/WealthfrontWealthfront is one of the largest automated investing companies that offer both short and long-term financial goal planning. Its software builds a diversified portfolio of low-cost index funds to improve your returns and offers time-tested investment strategies that automatically look for profitable opportunities. Management fee: 0.25 percentAccount minimum: $500https://www.wealthfront.com/Charles Schwab Intelligent PortfoliosCharles Schwab is one of the most trusted financial services companies that launched its own Robo advisor that helps build, monitors, rebalances a diversified portfolio based on your goals, and provides 24/7 customer support from US-based service professionals. With Schwab, you are not charged any advisory fee or commission and can invest in a portfolio of low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs).Management fee: noneAccount minimum: $5,000https://intelligent.schwab.com/

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Common types of investment advisors you can hire

Financial planning is a daunting and technically challenging task. Its execution is more difficult without the help of a professional. And that is one of the main reasons why you should find individual consultants and advisory agencies alike to help guide you for proper compliance with regulatory agencies. It doesn’t matter if you are an individual or own and run a business organization, the following certified professionals rank highly among the best investment advisors in the country, representing your case. Certified Financial Planner (CFP)For a broad range of investment services, you can consult with a Certified Financial Planner. These professionals have a general understanding of all investment and financial portfolios. CFPs help in holistic planning and execution of the financial plan to generate the maximum rate of return by diversifying your investment. Generally, CFPs are qualified to provide sound investment advice for taxation, insurance, estate, and retirement planning. Note that CFPs must take several exams and stay up to date, especially in their areas of specialization to provide certain niche planning and advisory services. Armed with all the technical expertise and the latest know-how about financial services, CFPs rank at the number one position among best investment advisors. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)CPAs are experts in taxes and accounting. They provide a niche range of advisory services for individuals and organizations alike for filing and reporting compliance. In today’s day and age of business, clients demand financial transparency at all times. A qualified CPA can audit the books of accounts of their clients, file statements with regulating authorities, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and manage tax returns. Since they are qualified to provide exclusive financial advice, especially for disclosures, CPAs are your top pick when it comes to choose the best investment advisors for compliance services. Often, large corporations and organizations employ general accountants in-house to handle all the calculations and further employ the services of CPAs for further due diligence. They check for transparency, compliance and handle the filing, submission, and requirements set forth by regulating authorities. Registered Investment Advisor (RIA)Any person who has previously registered with a regulatory body (for example, a division of the SEC) and today provides consultancy and advisory services is considered as an RIA representative. Note that the sole purpose of an RIA is to provide investment consultancy and not facilitate the tasks necessary to invest. They offer sound guidance on how individuals or organizations can go about their finances and merely direct them to people who provide the niche services to make it happen. AgentsApart from the best investment advisors you can hire for consultation, insurance agents, and bankers also offer their expertise in niche advisory services. Note that these agents are licensed by a regulating authority to sell and assist in the purchase of investments. These include bonds, shares, different types of insurance, and annuities for long term financial planning. Agents and brokers offer consultancy services, in particular, but not comprehensive financial planning.

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Top 10 cat food deals to check out ahead of Black Friday 2022

Top 10 cat food deals to check out ahead of Black Friday 2022

Black Friday will be here soon, presenting pet parents an opportunity to stock up on food for their feline friends without spending a lot. There will be plenty of discounts from the top pet food brands, including Royal Canin and Purina. But if you cannot wait until then, check out these ten fantastic deals that are available right now. Take your time researching well and pick the healthiest options for your cat! Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Cat food This grain-free recipe ensures your pet gets the proper nourishment and maintains a healthy weight. Besides promoting weight control, it supports the muscles and improves digestive health. The product is already available at a discount of 7% on Chewy, but you can expect a better deal during the year-end sale. Wellness Healthy Indulgence Gravies Grain-free Variety Pack This variety pack makes mealtimes quick and easy. Created by nutritionists and veterinarians, the recipes are enriched with the finest ingredients to promote your cat’s well-being. Petco is offering a discount of 5%, but you can get it at an even lower price by opting for repeat delivery. Tiki Cat Queen Emma Luau Variety-pack Grain-free Canned Cat Food You can save 10% on this variety pack from Tiki Cat at Chewy.
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20 Black Friday 2022 unmissable furniture deals

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If you’ve been waiting for Black Friday to make a big-ticket furniture purchase, now’s the time, especially if you’re searching for something, like a sofa or mattress. We’ve seen savings of up to 50% in recent years, so browsing the bargains may really help keep prices down, which is crucial, considering the cost of living. Also, remember to bookmark websites that offer information on the current Black Friday furniture bargains. Metal and wood platform bed frame On Amazon, the ZINUS Suzanne 37-inch Metal and Wood Platform Bed Frame could drop to $189 (was $220), a $31 savings. Bathroom vanity Last year, the Lark Manor Burchard 36′′ Single Bathroom Vanity Set was available for $549.99 (down from $724.99). Add this to your shopping list to save $175 at Wayfair. Floor lamp The AllModern Finton 60.25-Inch Tripod Floor Lamp might be available for $149, a 44% reduction. That’s a deal you don’t want to lose on. Queen-sized bed frame Last Black Friday, the Plank Beam PB312-002 Solid Wood Queen-Size Bed in White was on sale for $270.74 (down from $319). On Amazon, that is a 37% discount. Coffee table Cumka Coffee Table Teak Resin 23.6′′ is anticipated to retail at Walmart for $205.60, a 30% discount.
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