What is a Reverse Mortgage?

I pulled this word by word from the AARP handbook. There are also single-purpose reverse mortgage loans offered by states or local governments — these are often designated for paying property taxes or covering home repairs — as well as proprietary reverse mortgages with fees and terms that can vary by lender. Proprietary reverse mortgages…

“This IS a Reverse Mortgage Customer!” Maria is 62 years old and still owes $125,000 on her $500,000 home. She has a good job and intends to work for another 6 years, retiring at age 68. She has no problem making her $1,200/month P&I payment on her current mortgage (with a 5% interest rate), BUT she…

The Realtor.com Team.Mon, August 25, 2025 at 1:18 PM CDT1 min read When considering a reverse mortgage, understanding the 60% rule is crucial for older homeowners. This rule, which limits the initial access to home equity, is designed to ensure financial stability over time by preventing borrowers from depleting their funds too quickly. The rule…

Reverse mortgages can be a useful tool for seniors, but there are a few things experts say you should know now.While inflation is down from a year ago, it has recently started to creep back upward again. When you throw in high interest rates and declining wage growth, many Americans are feeling the financial burn.…

The 60% reverse mortgage rule: What it is and how it impacts borrowers. Taking out a reverse mortgage can make sense in retirement, but there are rules that impact the process. As with most Americans, older homeowners have been facing issues with rising living costs and mounting debt. As a result, tapping into home equity…

The thought of running out of money in retirement keeps plenty of Americans awake at night. In a survey of financial planners by the Financial Planning Association and the Journal of Financial Planning, over 47 % of respondents rated running out of money as their clients’ greatest retirement fear, with another 22% saying it was…

If you’re planning your own retirement, you probably have a retirement savings goal in mind. Americans believe the “magic number” they need to retire comfortably is $1.26 million, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual. Comparing your number with the actual net worth of retirement age American seniors should give you an idea of how…

How Panicked Investors are Helping the HECM In 2025, the HECM lending industry stands at a critical juncture—balancing long-term promise against short-term headwinds. While demographic trends continue to favor a bright future, reverse mortgage professionals are grappling with regulatory hurdles, declining loan volume, and ongoing public misconceptions. The sentiment? Cautious optimism, grounded in realism. Today,…

3 Ways Retirees Can Prepare for a Recession Retiring is a significant financial achievement. However, the highly publicized conjecture of an impending recession has added layers of complexity and concern for those who’ve recently retired or are preparing to do so. However, with strategic planning and informed decisions that look to all asset classes, retirees…