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American Advisors Group Reverse Mortgage Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 5 / 5 (Excellent)
57 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
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American Advisors Group is a leading provider of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) - backed reverse mortgages. Based in California and founded in 2004, AAG offers a full range of reverse mortgage products including traditional Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs), HECM refinance, and HECM for purchase. Depending on a borrower’s needs, AAG’s disbursement options can be customized, with choices including line of credit, monthly payments, or lump sum. AAG has a B+ grade with the BBB and generally favorable reviews from customers.

Best for Relocating and Downsizing

American Advisors Group (AAG) stands out from its competitors for having a remarkable Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM) for Purchase program. Through AAG Residential Services (AAGRS), a licensed real estate brokerage firm and subsidiary of AAG, older adults can get the help they need to sell their homes and relocate. This can be very helpful for those who feel their home is too large or too far away from the people and things they care about. It also provides the same advantages of traditional HECMs by eliminating monthly mortgage payments on your new home, thereby helping your cash flow.

 

 

AAG requires that brokers meet certain criteria before working with them. They must complete an older adult awareness course and comply with a strict code of conduct. AAGRS also says that they only hire real estate agents with full-time experience helping clients over 55 years old.

When asked over the phone, AAG focused on explaining the ins and outs of how their HECM for Purchase program worked instead of rushing to ask where or when we wanted to relocate. The company took its time to explain how its residential services work and helped us explore the qualities we would like in a new home.

Size, Scope, and Experience

Consumers looking to borrow from a large, experienced, and well-established company are likely to be satisfied with what AAG has to offer on that front. The company was founded in 2004 and is one of the longest-standing companies to focus on reverse mortgage lending.

AAG currently operates in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Additionally, approved for business by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 81 geographical areas. The widespread availability of its services is directly tied to the large number of clients that the company is able to work with.

AAG has been the leading originator of reverse mortgage loans in the country since 2013. In fact, the company closes more than twice the number of loans that competitors do, with 1024 loans originated in February 2019 alone.

Additional Products and Services

AAG offers other products besides the HECM and HECM for Purchase programs. Consumers in certain states may also apply for the lender’s proprietary reverse mortgage, called AAG Advantage. AAG offers Home Mortgage-Backed Securities (HMBS), as well, which it started issuing in 2013. The company also has other types of products available, such as mortgage refinancing and VA loans.

 

AAG Advantage, works very much like other proprietary loans available in the market today. Borrowers may access up to a total of $4,000,000 and the funds may be withdrawn in full immediately. The loan is not insured by the FHA, meaning certain fees—such as mortgage insurance premiums—are not applicable. In order to qualify, the borrower must own a high-value property and the loan must be able to deliver more proceeds than a traditional reverse mortgage.

The company also offers more mainstream loan programs, such as mortgage refinancing and VA loans. AAG’s loan refinancing is designed to help those who aren’t yet 62 years of age and therefore do not qualify for a reverse mortgage. The program is designed to modify the length of a pre-existing mortgage loan, lock in a better rate, lower monthly bills, and tap into the home’s equity. Likewise, AAG’s VA loan program is designed to help veterans that may qualify for a reverse mortgage, but still need the additional financial help for retirement.


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57 Customer Comments & Reviews

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donna
10/24/2017
I don't seehow they could be#1. The company jerked me around for months; asked for more and more andmore documentation. Said they had a solution and when I pressed for closing came back to me saying disapproved. When I reported to bbb they indicated that the underwriter does not have best use of time calling me back, and that they could not recoup the time spent by the staff working on loan. Donna


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Janen
5/12/2017
Stay away from this outfit!!! They never return calls, they want bank statements personal information after sending everything to them they would lie to us and say they never hot it we have proof on our copter that they did After 4 months of stress and lies from them not to mention appraisal fee and they even put their name on my homeowners insurance I demanded to know what the heck was going on,they said everything was moving along ok and would call me next day. I told them that wasn't ok and he said ok we can't give you a reverse mortage He took 4 months to tell me that after taking my money and putting their name on my insurance The guy that was handling mine said he was a minister... Read More


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Phillip M
4/29/2017
I called AAG with not knowing if i was to stay in my home or move in the near future. AAG explained that if moving was a potential future plan, then we could pay on the reverse mortgage at our own pace and time as we go. No late payments, no credit hits, no foreclosure, no 30 day regimen. That way, every dollar we put in the loan to pay off the balance owed will be placed in a growth account/ line of credit, growing at the same rate as the interest on the loan. That allows me to control my balance if I want to sell in the future, deduct from taxes the interest paid, and to have access to more tax free money later if I don't sell. This is a great product no matter what the future plans.... Read More


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Bonnie K
4/24/2017
Would not recommend this company to anyone. 4 months into the process I am still waiting. The Company is slow to respond and they always need 1 more thing. I have paid $1000.00 out of pocket so far for multiple Fed Ex shipping documents, counseling and appraisal not including phone time. I am getting the impression they have no idea what is going on. My home appraised at $352K it is paid in full, my credit is good and at 63 I am still working. The stress of this process has been extremely overwhelming and caused me great anxiety. I have heard for 2 months we are getting close to closing....by the way one more thing that will take us at least a week to review then we will probably... Read More


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Lesley Y
4/14/2017
Neither the website nor the people at the 800# will provide any info on rates, closing costs, etc., unless you give them your address so they can start barraging you with videos and info packet. NOT the way to do business!


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Gordon S
4/11/2017
They got a terrible appraiser, so we could not do the deal. They presented us with great numbers, if the appraisal came in at a certain amount. So, beware, be sure they get you a decent appraiser. They will tell you that they have to go into a pool to get one, maybe so, but they need to weed out the bad ones! We have a complaint filed with HUD on this experience so others may not have the same problem. My friend Tom Sellick will be informed about putting his name with this company!


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Faith K
3/26/2017
Went through the entire process including paying for an appraisal and they never at any time indicated my home would not be eligible because of the ratio of mortgage vs equity. The current mortgage is 70000. Home is worth 160000.


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Jared D
3/17/2017
Great company to work with. All dealings and final numbers were positive


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Christian l
3/14/2017
Ed Wacaster laid everything on the table and gave us 5 star service. He is a kind and knowledgeable man. We will be referring Ed and AAG.


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Steve T
3/13/2017
Keep up the good work! Diva and the reps were pleasant and reliable and I am happy with my reverse mortgage. I have only good things to say about AAG.