Reverse Mortgages - The Definitive New Zealand Guide
Our guide to reverse mortgages (also known as a home equity release) looks at the costs, benefits and disadvantages associated with such mortgages.
Updated 2 October 2024
Summary of Reverse Mortgages
Our guide to reverse mortgages outlines everything you need to know about this unique mortgage product. We cover:
- Reverse mortgages are also known as retirement equity release loans. They provide cash-up-front, with no repayment needed until you sell your home, move to a rest home or pass away.
- It's a common problem: you retire and have a mortgage-free house, but the New Zealand superannuation and personal savings don't cover the purchases you want to make. Reverse mortgages are pitched to retirees as 'zero-risk loans' that offer 'a better retirement' and 'guarantee you can unlock equity in your home while not having to sell it'.
- Applicants of reverse mortgages usually use the money for big cash items such as home repairs, a new car, an overseas trip to see family and/or debt consolidation.
- On paper, reverse mortgages sound attractive, but they are expensive debt; get it wrong and you can be caught out severely. Annual interest charges, usually around 9% to 10% p.a, compound daily. It really is like taking out a big loan and not paying it back for years and years.
- If you change your mind later on and want to repay the reverse mortgage loan, as long as the interest rate is floating, the fees for doing this should be minimal or zero. Heartland Bank, for example, only offers a floating rate for reverse mortgages, and there are no penalties for early repayment.
- How expensive are reverse mortgages? Generally, if you borrow $100,000 at age 65, you will owe around $445,000 by the time you are 80 (using an interest rate of 10% p.a.). If you reach 85 and then need to sell your home and go into care, you will owe around $734,000.
- Trusted personal finance authority Mary Holm talks about the risks of Reverse Mortgages in a NZ Herald column published in May 2023 as is well worth reading.
Our guide to reverse mortgages outlines everything you need to know about this unique mortgage product. We cover:
Know How Much You Can Borrow
For most lenders, the maximum you can borrow is 40% of your home's value. But lenders will limit the percentage based on your age - the older you are, the more equity you can borrow. This is because the chances of you passing away increase, so the risk for the bank of not being repaid from the sale of your house is lower.
How is the 'value' of my home calculated?
When you apply for a reverse mortgage, a valuation fee is charged (usually $600+). This fee is paid to an independent valuer to assess how much your home is worth. If the valuer says it is valued at $500,000, then the bank will let you borrow a percentage of that based on your age.
How does my age affect how much I can borrow?
Heartland Bank states quite clearly that "your maximum loan entitlement can be estimated by multiplying the value of your home by a percentage (calculated as the age of the youngest borrower on your loan minus 45)".
For example: If you have a $500,000 home and the youngest borrower is 75 years old, then $500,000 X 30% = $150,000. 30% comes from 75-45 per Heartland Bank's calculation.
The following table illustrates examples of this percentage at various ages based on this rule, although for other lenders it may vary slightly:
How is the 'value' of my home calculated?
When you apply for a reverse mortgage, a valuation fee is charged (usually $600+). This fee is paid to an independent valuer to assess how much your home is worth. If the valuer says it is valued at $500,000, then the bank will let you borrow a percentage of that based on your age.
How does my age affect how much I can borrow?
Heartland Bank states quite clearly that "your maximum loan entitlement can be estimated by multiplying the value of your home by a percentage (calculated as the age of the youngest borrower on your loan minus 45)".
For example: If you have a $500,000 home and the youngest borrower is 75 years old, then $500,000 X 30% = $150,000. 30% comes from 75-45 per Heartland Bank's calculation.
The following table illustrates examples of this percentage at various ages based on this rule, although for other lenders it may vary slightly:
Age of Youngest Borrower |
60 |
65 |
70 |
75 |
80 |
85 |
Maximum % of Home’s Value Available |
15% |
20% |
25% |
30% |
35% |
40% |
As the table shows, the older you are, the more you can borrow as a percentage of the home's value. Keep in mind that the value of your home does not include its contents. Lenders will only loan based on the home value, which is made up of land and building only.
Advantages of Reverse Mortgages
Reverse mortgages have a number of benefits, which we outline in no particular order below:
- You will receive a cash sum which you can spend any way you like.
- The money you receive does not need to be repaid until your home is sold.
- If house prices are increasing, this reduces overall loss in equity. For example, if you draw down $50,000 at an 10% interest rate over 10 years, and house prices go up an average of 6% per year over the same 10 years, your net cost of the loan is 4%.
- Depending on your age, you can draw down between 15% and 40% of your home's current value either all at once or in smaller sums as you need the money.
- Some lenders guarantee you will never go into negative equity, so even if the loan balance exceeds your home value, you or your estate cannot be chased for the difference.
Disadvantages of Reverse Mortgages
Reverse mortgages are not without their risks, costs and drawbacks, which we outline below:
- Reverse mortgages require you to stay in the home - if you want to rent it out and travel, sell it or need to move into care, you will need to sell your home and pay back the reverse mortgage loan owing.
- Lenders charge higher-than-mortgage interest rates on reverse mortgages - currently around 10% where mortgage rates are 6% to 8%. This makes the arrangement relatively 'high interest'.
- Because you don't usually make any repayments and interest compounds monthly, loans of $100,000 can blow out to around $733,000 in the space of 20 years (using an interest rate of 10% p.a.). The longer you have the loan, the more you or your estate will owe. This can have serious implications if you need to move out of your home later and pay for residential care.
- There are a range of fees charged, from upfront home valuation fees, application fees, drawdown fees and mortgage discharge fees - these together can easily top $2,500, and there are other fees that can be applied on top of these.
- You need to follow the rules of the reverse mortgage contract - this means you have to keep up with home insurance payments, pay council rates and look after it in accordance with the lender's guidelines.
- Lenders are reluctant to offer reverse mortgages on some properties - examples are lifestyle blocks, farms, homes with a leaky building history, retirement villages and homes with troublesome monolithic plaster cladding systems.
8 Must-Know Facts about Reverse Mortgages
Reverse mortgages are complex and should only be entered into with a full and complete understanding of your obligations as a borrower. We have outlined 8 key must-know facts below to help you navigate the mechanics and fine print.
The interest rate is high, it compounds monthly, and because you don't make repayments, the balance you owe will climb FASTReverse mortgages are not like standard residential mortgages. You are being advanced a sum of money, and the bank does not receive any repayment until you pass away or decide to sell your home. This can mean the bank can wait for 10, 20 or even 30+ years before being repaid. In this time, any money you have borrowed will incur interest. It's a higher interest rate than residential mortgages are offered, and it usually compounds monthly. Because you don't make any repayments, your debt can balloon.
In the table below, we show how much debt a $100,000 loan (with a 10% p.a. interest rate) can create. Once you borrow, the clock starts ticking on the interest expenses. As an example:
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Be economical with what you borrow - i.e. if you only need $25,000, don't ask for $100,000Because of the high (and compounding) interest rate, a reverse mortgage is expensive. For this reason, you should only draw down exactly what you need, and nothing else. For example, if you have a quote for $20,000 for home renovations, this is the amount you should draw down. Anything more than that is unnecessary and leads to excessive interest costs. You will probably pay a one-off fee per drawdown, but this will almost certainly be cheaper than leaving money in the bank that you don't need. If you apply to draw down $100,000 in total over the course of your retirement, taking it in portions as you need it is a very popular (and cost-effective method) to keep the borrowing costs under control.
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Reverse mortgages by definition are a debt, and the debt has first dibs on your estateAs soon as you draw down on a reverse mortgage, you create a debt. And unlike debts that banks usually offer, reverse mortgages do not get repaid until you pass away or sell your home. To be clear - you are not repaying it monthly or weekly. Because of the interest rates and effect of compounding interest which charges you interest on the interest previously incurred, any inheritance you plan to leave will be reduced by the amount of the reverse mortgage debt owed. While your house may have gone up in value every year, it's unlikely to outpace a reverse mortgage interest rate.
A typical example:
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There ARE alternatives to reverse mortgagesA reverse mortgage is by no means the only option to get cash from your property; five popular alternatives might work for your needs:
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If you sign up for a reversed mortgage, make sure your contract includes FOUR essential terms and conditions
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Besides the interest rate, reverse mortgages come with a lot of feesYour lender usually applies a lot of different fees before, during and after the reverse mortgage lifetime. In our example below, we've outlined the fees charged by Heartland Bank.
Initial fees:
Ongoing fees for further drawdowns:
End of mortgage fee:
Other fees that may apply depending on your circumstances - you can download the Heartland fee PDF here. Please note that individual lender terms, conditions and fees vary - we have used Heartland Bank as an example given its dominant position in the New Zealand reverse mortgage market. |
A reverse mortgage has a FLOATING (i.e. variable) interest rate, which may jump later onReverse mortgages do not offer fixed interest rates given the length of the borrowing. If the Reserve Bank increases its cash-rate and mortgage interest rates increase overall, so will your reverse mortgage interest rate. 9.50% could easily become 11% or even 12%, meaning a $100,000 loan borrowed over 20 years could cost a whopping $893,502 and $1,089,255 respectively. Even if you have a guarantee of 'no negative equity', if you do need to sell your home later on, you would need to settle a big debt first.
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Reverse mortgages can be dangerous if your circumstances change later onIf you need to sell your home later on to buy a retirement home or rest home care, reverse mortgages can destroy the equity in your house. Our not-so-unusual example explains this best:
This outlines the risk of taking a reverse mortgage - it limits your options later on should your circumstances change. If you need to sell your home to pay for rest home care, you may not have enough to last more than a couple of years. |
Reverse Mortgage Providers - Heartland Bank vs SBS Bank
The market is rather small, and two providers dominate the market. Presently, Heartland Bank (through its Seniors Finance division) and SBS Bank (sold as a 'retirement loan') are the primary reverse mortgage lenders. Other lenders may offer reverse mortgages but we believe these will ultimately be issued by either Heartland Bank or SBS Bank.
Heartland Bank Reverse Mortgage
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SBS Bank Reverse Mortgage
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Reverse Mortgage Frequently Asked Questions
What banks and lenders offer reverse mortgages?
As explained above, only two providers dominate the market; Heartland Bank (through its Seniors Finance division) and SBS Bank (sold as a 'retirement loan') are the primary reverse mortgage lenders.
Are any types of homes excluded from reverse mortgages?
We confirmed directly with Heartland Bank that they consider all monolithic homes, and where the total land area is 5 ha or less. Properties will also need to be valued at least $250,000.
Can I draw down a reverse mortgage weekly or monthly as a way to supplement income?
Yes. As an example, Heartland Bank offers monthly advances as part of its service. You can then advance an agreed amount sum of money every month for as long as you like.
Are all reverse mortgages the same?
No, but in our review we found very little difference by way of borrowing limits, interest rates and fees. If you decide to go ahead with a reverse mortgage, contacting ALL the lenders for their best offer is the ideal way to get the best deal.
How much interest do you pay on a reverse mortgage?
It varies by lender; generally it's between 9.00% and 9.50% per annum, but it's not unreasonable to see it move in 10% p.a. as the OCR continues to increase.
Does a reverse mortgage affect NZ superannuation payments?
No, whatever you draw down by way of a reverse mortgage is your money to spend as you like it. Your NZ superannuation will continue to be paid until you pass away.
Is a reverse mortgage a ripoff?
They can be - it really depends on the terms of the contract you sign. Media attention has made lenders less aggressive with fees, fine print and general terms and conditions.
Can you get a reverse mortgage if you owe money on your home?
Generally, no. You must be mortgage-free at or before your initial drawdown. In saying that, Heartland Bank confirmed that they do assist seniors who have small mortgages, and if there is a mortgage outstanding, it must be repaid when the reverse mortgage begins. This can be done by using part of the reverse mortgage available funds to clear the pre-existing mortgage.
Are there any safe reverse mortgages?
All reverse mortgages are 'safe' if they have a guarantee of no repayments during your time in the home, no repayments and a no negative equity guarantee. It is up to how much you draw down and how often you do it, which ultimately determines how 'safe' a reverse mortgage is. If you withdraw $100,000 on the day you retire but take 5 or 10 years to spend it, the interest costs will be significant. For this reason, savvy reverse mortgage customers draw down money from their lender only when they need it.
Are there application fees and termination fees on a reverse mortgage?
Yes - these vary but between lenders but can be as high as $400 to $500. The fee is added to the total loan balance and repaid by the house sale proceeds.
What is the best reverse mortgage?
It depends on the terms being offered. Generally, the most attractive deal is one with:
- The lowest interest rate
- The lowest fees
- The best terms, such as life occupancy, no repayments and no negative equity, among others.
Can you lose your house with a reverse mortgage?
No - provided you ensure that your contract includes the FOUR essential terms and conditions in point 5 above. As long as you continue to live in it, the lender cannot force the sale of your home, even if your debt exceeds the current value of the home.
What happens to a reverse mortgage when you die or move permanently into care?
When you pass away, your lender has the priority security over the house and will organise for it to be sold. The net proceeds will be paid to your estate and distributed to your beneficiaries in accordance with your will.
If you move into care, you will need to arrange for the sale of your home. Again, the bank will be repaid their debt as a priority. The amount left is yours to keep and spend how you will. For example, if your home sells for $600,000 and the bank is owed $200,000, you will receive $400,000.
If you move into care, you will need to arrange for the sale of your home. Again, the bank will be repaid their debt as a priority. The amount left is yours to keep and spend how you will. For example, if your home sells for $600,000 and the bank is owed $200,000, you will receive $400,000.
How much equity do you have to have to qualify for a reverse mortgage?
Generally, you will need 100% equity, i.e. you own your home outright, before you can draw down any money on a reverse mortgage.
Can I rent out a room if I have a reverse mortgage?
Yes - but you cannot rent out your entire property and live somewhere else, as this will invalidate the terms and conditions of your reverse mortgage agreement. Renting one or two bedrooms, for example, while you live in the property is usually permitted by the lender.
Can you get a reverse mortgage at age 55 or 60?
Generally, the earliest you can draw down on a reverse mortgage is when you or your partner are at least 60 years of age.
Is there an age limit on reverse mortgages?
Yes, generally it is 90 years old - if you're older than this, lenders rarely offer reverse mortgages.
Does a reverse mortgage pay a lump sum?
It can, or you can take gradual payments. Bear in mind that each drawdown you make may be charged a one-off processing fee.
Do you have to pay taxes on a reverse mortgage?
No - because you are being loaned the money, there is no income tax on whatever you draw down from your lender.
Can you make monthly payments on a reverse mortgage?
Yes - some lenders allow you to make repayments on your loan at any time, as well as fully repaying your loan. Check to see if there are early repayment charges with your loan, which have been reported in the past by the media. You will need to repay the Mortgage Discharge Fee if you do repay your loan in full.
Do you pay interest on a reverse mortgage?
Yes. Interest is calculated monthly and added on to your loan balance. The interest then compounds, meaning your loan balance increases faster because you don't make any repayments and interest is charged on the previous periods' interest. The usual interest rate for a reverse mortgage is around 10% p.a.
Reverse Mortgages: Our Conclusion
- We believe reverse mortgages should be a 'last option' given the long-term borrowing costs involved. We are also cautious about the various fees charged, which make this kind of financing very expensive. While retirement can be expensive (our retirement calculator gives you an idea), there are alternatives to reverse mortgages.
- If your circumstances change later on, a reverse mortgage can destroy the equity in your house, leaving you in a poor financial position should you need to move home or go into care.
- Be aware that the floating interest rate right now of around 9.50% has room to increase, meaning even if you borrow now, you may see the interest rate change to 10%, 12% or even higher later on.
- Right now, few lenders offer reverse mortgages - Heartland Bank and SBS Bank dominate the market. With such little choice, we believe the costs are higher than they should be. As mentioned above, alternatives to taking out a reverse mortgage do exist and should be explored fully.
- If you do proceed with a reverse mortgage, make sure the terms are in your favour (i.e. no negative equity, the property can't be sold by the bank in your lifetime, no repayments in your lifetime and having both partners named are all essential).
- It's best to talk to a mortgage broker and lawyer about reverse mortgages, as well as your family, given the risks involved.
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