If your intent is to leave your home as the largest possible asset to heirs, you will be using your equity and therefore it will be lower when the home is sold. You must continue to live in the property as your primary residence so if your plans are to rent your home at some point, a reverse mortgage will not allow this option. Because the loan is an FHA-insured loan, there is mortgage insurance and the fees can be high. Most of the fees are financed but some are paid up-front so you need to talk to your lender about the total fees and what must be paid in advance (out of pocket) for things like counseling and appraisal.