what is the difference between a hecm and a reverse mortgage 
all hecms are reverse mortgages but not all reverse mortgages are hecms hecms are reverse mortgages backed by the fha and issued by an fha approved lender 1can you lose your home with a hecm yes you can lose your home several ways with a hecm reverse mortgage if you fail to keep the property in good repair or pay property taxes and insurance your hecm balance becomes due if the property stops being your primary residence for more than 12 consecutive months the balance becomes due even if you leave your home involuntarily because of a lengthy stay in a hospital nursing home or assisted living facility you could lose your home if you can t afford to pay the balance on your reverse mortgage 7