Should I stay or should I move?

Real estate values continue to increase but so do major living expenses. Does it make more sense to downsize or figure out a plan to remain financially independent at home?  It reminds me of the old Clash song - “Should I stay or should I go?”

Reverse mortgages and retirement risks

If you’re approaching retirement or hopefully enjoying retirement, there may be a nagging concern of have you done everything possible to minimize your financial risks?  Whether you have professional advisors, do your own planning - or perhaps worse, ignore the entire topic - below are economic areas that can affect your quality of life once you stop working:

It’s never too late to improve your financial future

If you are in your 50s or 60s, you most likely are at that stage of your life where college bills and mortgage payments, while perhaps not quite a thing of the past, are well on their way to being just that. You probably are not yet ready to retire, but for many it is closer than ever. Although people are living longer, however, the expenses of life are not declining. And, according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), over 23 million older adults are economically insecure, either living at/below poverty or one financial crisis away.

Reverse mortgage rules change

By Alain Valles, CRMP The Reverse Mortgage rules changed Oct. 2. For the past 25 years, reverse mortgages have allowed hundreds of thousands of homeowners...

Know the True Cost of a Reverse Mortgage

You’ve heard the word reverse mortgage and likely know that for those who qualify they can receive a lump sum of cash, a monthly stream of cash, a line of credit that grows over time, or any combination of the three. All without ever being required to make a monthly payment for the rest of their lives as long as the real estate taxes and insurance are paid and other guidelines met.

Reverse mortgages:  Get the facts

I was recently at a local charity event and invariably people asked what I do? My answer is always “I save financial lives by educating people about reverse mortgages and, when appropriated, arrange them.” That’s usually followed by a polite sigh and then the person stating: “Aren’t those bad? Doesn’t the person lose their home to the bank or government? Don’t the kids lose their inheritance? Don’t you have to have no mortgage? Isn’t a reverse mortgage a last resort?” In other words, they’re really asking “Aren’t you just taking advantage of old people?”

Reverse Mortgages: Time to trust?

Reverse mortgages are government-insured loans also known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs).

Reverse mortgage rules are changing

By Alain Valles, CRMP, CSA, MBA For the past 25 years reverse mortgages have allowed hundreds of thousands of homeowners 62 years old or older...

Reverse mortgages: Do you have the answers?

If you are like many seniors you may wake up feeling financially stressed. Concern about having enough money, worry about a lingering home repair, or frustration with credit card or real estate tax payments can be a burden. Even worse is the fear of not having enough money if something should happen in the future.

Reverse mortgages: be prepared

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By Alain Valles, CRMP, MBA, CSA The Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, “Change is the only constant in life.” Time has shown this to be true. The...