Halloween makes people think about ghosts and things that go bump in the night. Reverse mortgages often feel the same way — full of scary stories and bad guesses. I’ll walk you through the real facts, clear up the biggest misunderstandings, and show how a reverse mortgage can give you breathing room in retirement. I’ll use clear examples from real Colorado homeowners so you can hear how this works in everyday life.

• The basic setup: what a reverse mortgage is, who qualifies (62+), and how it pays you instead of you paying the bank.
• How you keep ownership: why your name stays on title, what responsibilities you keep, and how long you can stay in the home.
• How heirs are protected: what happens when the last homeowner leaves, the non-recourse rule, and how heirs can sell or walk away.
• How the loan balance changes: why interest grows the balance, and how that affects future equity and inheritance.
• Real choices for getting money: lump sum, monthly payments, line of credit, or a mix — and the pros and cons of each.
• How reverse mortgages can support your goals: pay off an existing mortgage, reduce monthly expenses, protect savings, or delay Social Security.
• Common emotional worries: addressing the shame or fear of “failing,” and why using home equity can be a strategic financial move.
• The safety checks: HUD regulation, FHA insurance, and required counseling that protect borrowers and families.

By the end of this episode you will see that the scary stories about reverse mortgages are mostly myths. You will have clear, practical answers to the top five fears people hold — from losing the home to leaving nothing for the kids. If you own a home in Colorado, rely on Social Security or a pension, and want a way to ease monthly costs or handle unexpected bills, this episode will give you the facts you need to decide. Tune in, get the straight talk, and call me if you want to walk through your specific situation in plain numbers and clear steps. 303-513-2748.

Are you wondering whether to get a reverse mortgage now or wait a few years? I hear that question all the time. In this episode, I break down the real costs and real benefits of acting now versus waiting. I share plain facts, real examples, and practical advice so you can decide with confidence — not guesswork. If you own your Colorado home and want to protect your retirement income, this episode is for you.

• How a HECM (FHA-insured reverse mortgage) actually works — the simple facts you need to know.
• Which three factors drive how much you can borrow: home value, age, and interest rates.
• Why waiting might help a little — and why it usually helps less than people think.
• How interest-rate movement (including the 10‑year Treasury) affects your borrowing power.
• Why a reverse mortgage line of credit can grow over time and how that growth helps you later.
• The real cost trade-offs: mortgage payments you keep paying if you wait vs. money you could have now.
• When waiting makes sense (planning to sell soon) and when acting now usually makes sense (locking value, starting line growth, stopping payments).
• How you can refinance a reverse mortgage later if rates fall — and what that process looks like.
• Concrete examples comparing waiting a few years versus acting now, including numbers on mortgage payments, line growth, and lost opportunities.
• Steps to get a clear, personalized answer for your situation and who to call for help in Colorado.

Timing a reverse mortgage matters, but the best choice depends on your goals. In most cases, getting the loan now locks in today’s value and starts line-of-credit growth that can outpace the small gains from aging a year or two. You also stop monthly mortgage payments sooner and build a safety net for unexpected costs. If you plan to sell your home soon, waiting may make sense. Tune in to hear detailed examples, hear my take from 22 years in the business, and get a clear checklist to decide what to do next. After this episode you’ll know the exact questions to ask and whether you should call someone now to run the numbers for your Colorado home.

Have you ever wondered why reverse mortgages carry mortgage insurance when you never had it on your last loan? I get that question all the time. On this episode I’ll explain where HECM mortgage insurance came from, how it works, and — most important — why it benefits you and your heirs. I’ll use simple examples and real-world stories from Colorado so you can hear how this protection plays out in everyday life.

• A brief history of the HECM program and why mortgage insurance was added.
• How the mortgage insurance premiums are charged and where the money goes.
• How mortgage insurance protects you if home values drop.
• Why your HECM line of credit grows over time and how that growth is guaranteed.
• What happens to payments and lines of credit if your lender fails.
• How the non-recourse feature shields you and your heirs from personal liability.
• Why the mortgage insurance fund keeps the HECM program available and reliable for future seniors.
• Real examples: a family that kept a sentimental home despite a market downturn, and a couple who used a growing line of credit for in-home care.

If you want a clear, practical view of how mortgage insurance on a HECM works — and why it might be one of the best protections you can get as a homeowner over 62 — this episode will walk you through it step by step. You’ll finish the show with an easy-to-follow list of benefits, concrete examples you can relate to, and questions to bring to your own consultation. Tune in to learn how this insurance helps keep you in your home, protects your estate, and gives you a dependable financial safety net for the years ahead.

If you own a Colorado home and worry about stretching Social Security and pension checks, this episode is for you. Today we look at a little-known way to get more control from your FHA-insured reverse mortgage. Most people know reverse mortgages let you skip monthly payments. Fewer know you can choose to make payments—and that choice can give you flexibility, protect equity, and grow your available credit for the years ahead. I’ll walk you through how it works, when it helps, and what to watch out for.

How voluntary payments change your loan outcome

Small or large payments slow the balance growth and reduce long-term interest costs. You will see how even modest payments can change your equity picture over time.

How payments move through the prepayment waterfall

Accrued mortgage insurance is paid first, then interest, then principal. This order matters if you plan to deduct interest and affects which part of your payment actually reduces the balance.

The line-of-credit effect

Paying down the loan balance increases your future borrowing power. The line of credit grows at the same rate the loan accrues charges, so lowering the balance today lets that credit grow from a higher base.

Smart payment strategies for retirees

Learn when to pay a little each month, when to use windfalls like tax refunds or stock sales, and why you should avoid paying the loan to zero if you want to keep the line of credit available.

Real-life examples for common situations

Scenarios cover homeowners on fixed income, part-time workers with irregular pay, and those facing variable expenses like healthcare or home repairs. See how different choices play out over time.

Tax and accounting notes to discuss with your CPA

Understand the basics of interest deductibility and the role of accrued mortgage insurance. Know the questions to bring to your tax advisor before claiming deductions.

Key cautions and limits

Learn how much to pay to preserve the line of credit, why paying the loan to zero closes the credit, and other practical rules to avoid unintended consequences.

Making voluntary payments on a HECM is optional, but it can be a strong tool for retired homeowners who want more control over cash flow and home equity. In this episode I explain the mechanics, share real examples, and give practical rules of thumb so you can decide if partial payments fit your retirement plan. If you want a flexible safety net for health care, home repairs, or family needs, tune in. A few smart payments today can protect your financial life tomorrow.

You heard the headlines: the Federal Reserve cut short-term interest rates. But what does that actually mean for your reverse mortgage — or for your plans to get one? In this episode I walk you through the difference between the Fed’s short-term lever and the long-term rates that set reverse mortgage borrowing power. I use plain language, real examples, and 22 years of experience so you can know what to do next.

• The one thing the Fed really controls: the federal funds overnight rate and how it affects short-term borrowing.
• Why short-term rate cuts do not always lower mortgage or reverse mortgage rates.
• How long-term rates, especially the 10-year Treasury, determine how much you can get from a HECM.
• How a rate cut can help current HECM borrowers by lowering loan interest but also slow line-of-credit growth.
• Why a lower 10-year Treasury increases your principal limit, and why a higher one reduces it.
• A simple example that shows how a HECM line of credit grows and why that matters for future needs.
• Practical steps to protect your retirement income and plan for health, home repairs, and long-term care using a reverse mortgage.

This episode clears up the confusion behind the headlines and gives you clear action steps. You will learn how the Fed’s move may help or hurt you depending on your situation, what to watch in the 10-year Treasury, and how to use a reverse mortgage line of credit the smart way. If you want sensible, direct advice about protecting your savings and staying in your home, tune in.

You’ve heard the warnings from a neighbor, a news headline, or a worried adult child — and suddenly you stop asking questions. In this episode I break down the five myths that keep homeowners from even exploring reverse mortgages. I use plain examples, real stories, and clear rules so you can separate the facts from the fear. If you want to protect your home, your savings, and your peace of mind, this episode will give you the straight answers you need.

• Why the bank does not own your home: how a reverse mortgage places a lien, not a transfer of title, and what that means for control.
• The five homeowner requirements that keep you in the home: live there as your primary residence, pay taxes, keep insurance, maintain the home, and keep your name on title.
• What happens after you die: why heirs are not automatically stuck with debt and the common options heirs have.
• Why owing more than the home’s current value does not create personal liability: the non-recourse nature of HECM loans and how mortgage insurance protects estates.
• Why reverse mortgages are not only for people in financial crisis: real examples of retirees who used HECMs to reduce monthly payments, create a credit line, or protect retirement savings.
• How negative amortization works and why a growing loan balance is part of the program — plus when to ask for an amortization estimate.
• Practical steps to avoid surprises: the key questions to ask any lender, documents to request, and red flags that deserve a second look.
• When a reverse mortgage is not the right choice: simple signs that suggest other options may be better.

By the end of this episode you’ll know which fears are based on old stories or misinformation and which issues need careful planning. You’ll get clear rules, real-life examples, and concrete next steps so you can decide whether a reverse mortgage fits your retirement goals. Tune in to learn what to ask, who to call, and how a reverse mortgage could help you stay in your home and reduce financial stress.

Have you ever wondered whether a reverse mortgage could help you pay bills, cover home repairs, or boost your monthly income — without losing your home? In this episode I break down the three clear rules that matter: age, how much equity you have, and a basic financial check. I’ll use real examples and plain language so you can hear exactly where you stand and what next steps look like.

• The single age rule that matters: who must be 62 or older and what happens if a spouse is younger.
• How we measure equity and why having 50–70% equity usually matters.
• How a reverse mortgage can pay off an existing loan and still free up monthly cash.
• What the financial assessment covers: credit, paying taxes and insurance, and residual income.
• How loan proceeds or a line of credit count as income for qualification.
• Options if you don’t qualify today (wait, increase equity, or consider proprietary loans).
• The reverse mortgage for purchase: how it can let you buy a new home without monthly mortgage payments.
• Real examples that show common outcomes for homeowners in their 60s, 70s, and beyond.

If you want a clear answer about whether a reverse mortgage is right for you, this episode gives it in plain English. You’ll walk away knowing the three things lenders look at, what you can do now to improve your chances, and how a reverse mortgage could ease monthly expenses or let you move to a home that fits your retirement. Tune in to get specific examples, quick calculators you can use in your head, and the exact next steps you can take after the show.

Have you wondered how lenders figure out the exact dollar amount you can get from a reverse mortgage? On this episode I walk you through the formula step by step, using plain English and real examples. I explain why age, home value, and interest rates matter, and why the numbers you see today look very different from those a few years ago. If you want to know how much cash you might access without monthly payments, this episode will give you the clear picture.

• The three factors that set your borrowing limit: the youngest borrower’s age, the home’s value (and FHA caps), and the expected interest rate.
• Why older borrowers get a higher loan percentage and how that works with a simple example.
• The two interest rates that matter: the expected interest rate (used to set your borrowing power) and the initial interest rate (what you actually pay on the withdrawn balance).
• How the 10-year and 1-year Treasury rates drive those two interest measures and why that matters for you.
• How interest accrues on a reverse mortgage, why loan balances grow over time, and why lenders don’t loan 100% of your home value.
• A short history of major program changes since 2009, why rules tightened, and how those changes protect you today.
• How FHA’s maximum claim amount affects higher-value homes and when a proprietary loan might make sense.
• Practical examples: a 62-year-old vs an 82-year-old on a $350,000 home — what each could expect now versus past low-rate years.
• Red flags to watch for: lump-sum misuse, failure to pay taxes and insurance, and the signs that a reverse mortgage may not be the right choice.
• Action steps you can take next: where to get a ballpark quote, what information to prepare, and questions to ask a certified reverse mortgage professional.

This episode gives you a clear, usable map of how reverse mortgage amounts are set. You’ll understand the formula lenders use, the two interest rates you need to know, and the key policy shifts that shape today’s loans. With that knowledge you can decide whether a reverse mortgage fits your goals, protect your home equity, and plan for future costs like home repairs and healthcare. Tune in to get straightforward answers, real examples, and the exact questions to ask when you talk to a lender.