by Bob French, CFA

At its most basic, a reverse mortgage is pretty much what it sounds like – the opposite of a traditional mortgage. Instead of turning your money into home equity, you’re turning your home equity into money you can use.

Full article at https://retirementresearcher.com/what-is-a-reverse-mortgage/

by Jessica Guerin

Reverse mortgages are traditionally thought of as a last-resort option for seniors who want to stay in their homes but have little resources and few options left. But research has proven otherwise.

https://www.housingwire.com/articles/48858-most-homeowners-think-a-reverse-mortgage-is-a-last-resort-option-heres-why-theyre-wrong

by Jamie Hopkins

What’s the deal with reverse mortgages? This question was addressed in a recent Housing Wealth in Retirement Symposium held on March 23, 2018, in Washington, DC. The event was co-hosted by The American College of Financial Services and the Bipartisan Policy Center. While the symposium took a broader look at housing wealth and retirement security, a constant theme was the role of reverse mortgages under the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program sponsored by the federal government. A key takeaway from the researchers and policymaker presentations at the event was that reverse mortgages are underutilized by seniors today and can help provide added retirement funding security to Americans when used appropriately.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiehopkins/2018/03/30/researchers-say-reverse-mortgages-deserve-a-second-look/#6d9df9ca56b2

by Jamie Hopkins

Over the past few years, I have been very outspoken about the need for financial advisers to incorporate reverse mortgages into their practices, especially those acting under a fiduciary duty of care or doing retirement income planning.

As a professor at The American College of Financial Services, I have woven material about reverse mortgages into the coursework for the CFP, CLU, ChFC and RICP. Of these, the RICP, which focuses specifically on retirement income planning, has had the greatest impact on advisers with regard to reverse mortgages. I have seen eyes open, policies change, and financial planning practices include reverse mortgage conversation in their process.

https://www.investmentnews.com/article/20180122/BLOG09/180129987/financial-advisers-should-avoid-error-by-omission-and-consider

by Jessica Guerin

A D.C.-based housing agency recently launched a program to help reverse mortgage borrowers facing foreclosure because of their failure to pay property taxes and homeowners insurance.

Full story at https://www.housingwire.com/articles/48976-dc-housing-agency-launches-program-to-help-delinquent-reverse-mortgage-borrowers