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The Daily Insight

How long can you be out of your house with a reverse mortgage?

Author

Andrew Mclaughlin

Published Mar 19, 2026

12 consecutive months
Reverse mortgage borrowers are allowed to temporarily leave their house for up to 12 consecutive months, for medical reasons. After this period of time, the borrower must return to the home and live in it as their primary residence, or the loan becomes due.

What are the bad things about reverse mortgages?

You Can’t Afford the Costs. Reverse mortgage proceeds may not be enough to cover property taxes, homeowner insurance premiums, and home maintenance costs. Failure to stay current in any of these areas may cause lenders to call the reverse mortgage due, potentially resulting in the loss of one’s home.

Is it a good idea to get a reverse mortgage?

5 Signs a Reverse Mortgage Is a Good Idea. Heirs who want to take possession of the house have the opportunity to pay the reverse mortgage balance to the lender and take back the title. However, they can’t always do this. They may not have the cash or qualify to get a regular mortgage to buy your home.

What are the different types of reverse mortgages?

There are three kinds of reverse mortgages: single purpose reverse mortgages – offered by some state and local government agencies, as well as non-profits; proprietary reverse mortgages – private loans; and federally-insured reverse mortgages, also known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs).

How does the proceeds of a reverse mortgage work?

Also, reverse mortgage proceeds are based on the youngest spouse’s age (whether that person is on the loan or not). The younger that age is, the lower the amount you can initially borrow.

Can a spouse be a co-borrower on a reverse mortgage?

If you live with a spouse or partner, it usually makes sense to apply as co-borrowers on the reverse mortgage. That way, if you take out a reverse mortgage, the co-borrower can continue to receive payments from the loan while living in the home after you die or move out.