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Housing and Home Equity

Senior Living Communities: Not All Golf Carts and Bingo

When you picture retirement living, if your mind immediately goes to golf courses, bingo night, or water aerobics, think again: the future of retirement living is changing. Retirement Living Is Changing Rather than more traditional golf-based retirement communities, affinity communities and other nontraditional living arrangements are becoming more popular, especially among the extremely diverse Baby…

June 4, 2014
Reverse Mortgages

Are Reverse Mortgage Disadvantages Too Great? What Are Your Alternatives?

As you know, some seniors turn to reverse mortgages as a way to fund retirement, free up monthly cash-flow, or buy a new home. But reverse mortgages also come with pros and cons such as ongoing responsibilities of homeownership, upfront costs, or the drawing down of home equity over time that leaves less inheritance for…

June 3, 2014
Reverse Mortgages

Sky High Housing Prices! How to Cash In and Fund Retirement

Housing prices are on the upswing, and if you’re considering a reverse mortgage, that’s great news for you. The housing crash did a number on many homeowners. But that lost equity is being regained across the country as home prices trend upward. By the end of last year, home prices nationwide were 20% above 2011’s…

May 30, 2014
Housing and Home Equity

Is it Okay to Retire with Mortgage Debt?

When it comes to older adults and homeownership, there’s good news and bad news, suggests a new federal report that shines a light on a growing debt problem. The good news is that the 65+ demographic has the highest homeownership rate in the United States of any age group. The bad news: more and more…

May 29, 2014
Annuities

The Lifetime Annuity – A Life Vest for Your Retirement

Imagine this: Bill, a 65-year-old man, has been getting ready to go on a big swim. He’s not completely sure how long this swim is going to last—although he has an approximate distance in mind—but he’s been preparing for it for decades. But without knowing exactly how long this swim will be, Bill isn’t sure…

May 27, 2014
Annuities

The 3 Reasons a Lifetime Annuity is the BEST Retirement Investment

When you’re planning for retirement, you’re often trying to determine the best mix of investments for your retirement portfolio. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and your planning process has to take into account your own particular situation and needs. One potential investment you may want to consider is a lifetime annuity, and there are a few…

May 22, 2014
Retirement Planning

It’s Not Too Late to Start Planning for Retirement

Have you recently retired without a comprehensive financial plan to take you through the coming years? It’s not too late to make one. A December 2013 survey from Fidelity found that more than half of Americans are at risk of not covering their essential expenses in retirement. PwC reported similar findings on its 2013 survey…

May 21, 2014
Retirement Planning

3 Ways to Spend Less Now So You Can Retire Earlier

Many people have a countdown to the official retirement age of 65 — or whatever age you might be targeting.  However, many of us are looking for ways to retire even earlier.  Here are a few good ways to reduce your spending in such a way that you can knock a few years off your…

May 21, 2014
Housing and Home Equity

Shopping for Your Dream Retirement Home? Check Out These Popular Destinations

Are you one of the millions of Americans approaching retirement and are thinking of moving to a top retirement destination? Whether you are seeking golf, an oceanfront locale or an urban environment with accessible amenities, there are many cities and towns nationwide that are increasing in appeal among retirees. Each year, TopRetirements.com compiles a list of the…

May 20, 2014
Reverse Mortgages

New Research: Get a Reverse Mortgage Sooner, Not Later

Today’s version of the saying “Strike while the iron’s hot” may apply to getting a reverse mortgage while interest rates are favorable, suggests new academic research recently published in the Journal of Financial Planning. You’ve probably seen commercials and other advertisements touting reverse mortgages, but what you may not realize is that there’s also brand…

May 19, 2014
Retirement Planning

Massive Number of Retirees to Put Pressure on Funding Retirement – Are You Prepared?

If you’re approaching retirement age, you’re in good company—millions of boomers are right there with you. In the next few decades, one out of every five Americans will have reached or surpassed Social Security’s “full retirement age” of 65, according to the most recent U.S. Census data release. “Between 2012 and 2050, the United States…

May 15, 2014
Reverse Mortgages

Breaking: New Reverse Mortgage Product — HECM MAX5 Caps Interest Rate

Over the past few months, the federally-insured reverse mortgage program has seen a lot of changes—including the introduction of new, consumer-friendly loan products like the HECM MAX5. The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program allows borrowers age 62 and older to access the equity they’ve built up in their homes in the form of a non-recourse…

May 14, 2014
Reverse Mortgages

Reverse Mortgage – How Much More Can You Qualify for Now?

Interest rates have fallen and that means that most reverse mortgage borrowers now qualify for more money. (And, you pay less in interest.) Get a new estimate of your reverse mortgage loan amount right now! All the great benefits of the loans still apply: 1. You still own your home: A reverse mortgage is just…

May 13, 2014
Reverse Mortgages

Reverse Mortgages: A Good Idea for Your Parents?

If your mom and dad (or just one of your parents) are considering a reverse mortgage, chances are they let you know about it—and you probably have some questions of your own. Read on for a primer for adult children of prospective and current reverse mortgage borrowers. What is a reverse mortgage? Let’s start with…

May 12, 2014
Reverse Mortgages

5 Reasons a Reverse Mortgage Might Not Be Right for You

A reverse mortgage can be a good way to supplement cash flow in retirement, or open a line of credit for unforeseen future expenses. But it’s not for everyone. Here are 5 reasons a reverse mortgage might not be right for you. 1. You are planning to move soon. While there is a fairly new…

May 8, 2014
Reverse Mortgages

Pros and Cons of a Reverse Mortgage During the Pandemic Crisis

For many people nearing retirement age, home equity is usually the single largest component of net worth.  And, it can be a valuable contributor to retirement and financial well being — especially during this pandemic and time of monetary strain. You can tap home equity by downsizing, securing a reverse mortgage or getting a home…

May 7, 2014
Reverse Mortgages

The New Reverse Mortgage—3 Trends Driving Your Decision Today

Many retirees consider their home equity as part of their retirement plan. Because it is an investment that has grown over time, it’s often a major consideration as an asset that can be used to help influence cash flow and/or savings in retirement. If you have been considering a reverse mortgage as a way to…

May 7, 2014
Reverse Mortgages

You’re Considering a Reverse Mortgage—Here’s What your Heirs Need to Know

You may be considering a reverse mortgage, or you may already have one. Like any financial decision, it’s a good idea to talk with family about the impact this kind of loan will have on your financial future—and theirs. Here are 5 things your heirs should know about your reverse mortgage: 1. They’ll still inherit…

May 6, 2014
Reverse Mortgages

Top Ways for Retirees to Lock In Home Equity—and Grow It, Too

For many retirees, the most important aspect of their retirement portfolios is stable investments. But what if you could find an investment that not only grows, but is also guaranteed by the federal government? Enter: reverse mortgages, and specifically the line of credit option available through the federally-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage pr oduct. The…

May 5, 2014
Retirement Planning

How Interest Rates Can Have a Big Impact on Your Retirement

Falling interest rates can often signal a negative impact on a long-term retirement portfolio, as a lower rate environment means less money saved for retirement. But low rates can also have a silver lining for retirees, especially when it comes to reverse mortgages. The Federal Reserve has been keeping downward pressure on interest rates post-recession in…

May 2, 2014
Reverse Mortgages

Paying Back Your Reverse Mortgage in Advance: The Pros and Cons

One of the biggest benefits to the home equity conversion mortgage program is that, unlike conventional mortgages or home equity loans or lines of credit, you are not required to make monthly payments toward the balance of the loan. The federally-insured HECM program requires that loans be repaid when the borrower dies, leaves the home,…

May 1, 2014
Reverse Mortgages

New Reverse Mortgage Calculator: How to Assess Your Suitability for these Loans

A reverse mortgage is a loan. You are borrowing against your home equity. However, unlike traditional mortgages, with a reverse mortgage you do not have to pay back the money borrowed as long as you are living in the home. If a reverse mortgage is right for you, it can offer great financial relief. Reverse Mortgage…

March 15, 2014
Reverse Mortgages

Unique Ways To Utilize a Reverse Mortgage

The government-insured reverse mortgage product can be used in a variety of ways to help seniors age in place during retirement. Here are three little-known ways that seniors can use reverse mortgages: Purchase a New Primary Residence (HECM For Purchase) – One of the best features of the HECM program is the ability to purchase a…

March 14, 2014
Housing and Home Equity

Reverse Mortgage vs. HELOC

Reverse Mortgage or HELOC – Which is Best?  If you’ve decided to tap into your home equity during retirement, there are a few different ways to go about doing this. Most likely, your options will come down to a Reverse Mortgage or a home equity line of credit, or “HELOC”. Reverse Mortgage vs. HELOC A…

February 20, 2014

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