Not all lenders have age limits, but there are certain factors that can affect your application. However, it's definitely possible to get a mortgage as an older borrower, you'll just need some expert advice to bag the right deal for you.
Lenders typically base their mortgage decisions on an applicant's income, assets, debts and credit score. Discrimination against credit applicants on the basis of age is prohibited by the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
50 years old: Most lenders will allow you to borrow but some may decline your application due to your age. 55 years old: Almost all lenders will require a written exit strategy, evidence of your superannuation and other assets that can be sold to repay the proposed debt.
With no maximum age for a home loan, your most important considerations should be your ability to make repayments and your exit strategy. There are a number of home loan options available to older people and each one of these should be considered with these two factors in mind.
Lenders have set the maximum age limit for a traditional mortgage to range from age 70 to a maximum of age 80. You can see how borrowers, aged 70, would be unable to secure a 25-year mortgage as they would be 95 years old when they were done paying off the loan.
In practice, too, lenders have to be sure that you can reasonably repay the loan. If you're 45-50years of age or over and you can't demonstrate how you will be able to repay a 30-year loan, there is a good chance your application will be knocked back.
Mortgages for over 50s
Many lenders will be happy to offer you a mortgage if you're over 50, with a standard 25-year term and competitive interest rates often available. In some cases, you may be asked to show evidence of your predicted retirement income.
Yes, a senior citizen can get a mortgage.
Many interest only lifetime mortgage providers don't restrict the term of their mortgages, so you are able to borrow over the term of your lifetime.
Generally speaking, lenders do view mature aged mortgage applicants as higher risk borrower so they have stricter lending requirements. It's a good idea to be aware of what these are so that you're well prepared when it comes to applying for a mortgage.
The Cons. Higher interest rate: With a 30-year mortgage, most borrowers will have a higher interest rate than shorter-term fixed-rate mortgages. The longer a lender has to wait to be repaid, the bigger they deem the loan a risk, so they charge higher interest rates.
What is the age criterion to get a Personal Loan? To be eligible for a Personal Loan, you must be between the ages of 21 to 60.
It may be possible to obtain a 40-year mortgage. Any mortgage with a term longer than 30 years is not considered a “qualified mortgage,” which means few lenders will offer a loan that risky. Forty-year loan modification options for borrowers in distress are more common.
When people consider for themselves, how many years can I get a mortgage for, many first thoughts are that a 25 year term is the maximum permitted. However, much has changed and virtually all lenders will now allow a mortgage term of up to 35 years.
Anyone can apply for an interest-only mortgage. It could be harder to get accepted for one than a repayment mortgage. This is because lenders will need to see evidence that you'll be able to afford the lump sum to pay off the mortgage at the end of the term.
Equity release refers to a range of products letting you access the equity (cash) tied up in your home if you are older. You can take the money you release as a lump sum or, in several smaller amounts or as a combination of both.
Equity release lets homeowners aged 55 and over release tax-free cash from the value of their home. The amount you can release is based on your age and how much your home is worth. Depending on the equity release product you choose, you can claim your money as one big lump sum or as a series of smaller lump sums.
A lifetime mortgage is a type of equity release, a loan secured against your home that allows you to release tax-free cash without needing to move out. Lifetime mortgages are available to homeowners aged 55 or over. You can take the money as a lump sum or as series of lump sums.
Mortgage terms explained
If you're like most people, you'll be on a repayment mortgage. This means that your plan and repayments are set up so that you'll eventually own your property outright. In other words, if you're on a 25-year term, after 25 years your house will finally be all yours.
An interest-only mortgage is a loan with scheduled payments that require you to pay only the interest for a specified amount of time. The amount that you owe on the loan does not go down with each payment.
In some cases, borrowers above the age of 50 or 55 can also be considered senior borrowers. Since there is no rule about at what age you should purchase property, various lenders provide home loan assistance to such borrowers. The loan options vary depending on whether you are on pension benefits or own a house.
A good goal is to be debt-free by retirement age, either 65 or earlier if you want. If you have other goals, such as taking a sabbatical or starting a business, you should make sure that your debt isn't going to hold you back.
There are plenty of mortgage providers who are prepared to lend to people in their 50s and you can usually get a 25-year term. You shouldn't see a difference in the mortgage rates offered to you compared to a younger applicant, although you may be asked about your predicted retirement income.
Age doesn't matter. Counterintuitive as it may sound, your loan application for a mortgage to be repaid over 30 years looks the same to lenders whether you are 90 years old or 40.
A 25-year amortization makes the most sense when you want to save on interest and get the most competitive interest rate. You'll save on interest with a 25-year amortization because you're paying off your mortgage in 25 years instead of 30 years.