💰 Unlock Equity. Keep Your Home. Skip the Monthly Payment.

If you or someone you love is retired and sitting on substantial home equity—but living on a fixed income—this message is for you.

Medical expenses. 🏥
Retirement housing. 🏡
Rehab facilities. ♿
Home modifications for mobility. 🔧

These costs aren’t just expensive—they’re stressful. And one of the most common questions I hear after 30+ years in the mortgage business is:

“Can I just borrow the equity in my home… without taking on another monthly payment?”

The answer may be yes—and the tool is called a reverse mortgage.

🏠 What Is a Reverse Mortgage?

The most common type of reverse mortgage is the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)—a government-insured program backed by the Federal Housing Administration.

Let’s clear up the biggest misconception right away:

❌ It does NOT mean you give your house away.
❌ The bank does NOT take ownership.
❌ Your family does NOT automatically lose the home.

✅ You still own your property.
✅ You’re simply borrowing against your equity.
✅ Your estate retains the right to sell the home when you pass away.

It’s a loan—just structured differently.

🔑 The Big Difference: No Required Monthly Payments

Here’s what makes a reverse mortgage unique:

💡 You access your equity without making a required monthly mortgage payment.

That’s why it can be powerful for retirees living on:

• Social Security

• Pension income

• Retirement distributions

• Fixed or limited income

In many cases, income qualification requirements are minimal compared to traditional loans.

📊 When Does a Reverse Mortgage Make Sense?

A reverse mortgage may be worth exploring if you or a family member:

✔️ Need funds for medical or long-term care expenses
✔️ Want to pay off an existing mortgage to eliminate monthly payments
✔️ Need to modify a home for accessibility (ramps, stair lifts, bathroom remodels)
✔️ Want a financial cushion for unexpected expenses
✔️ Prefer to stay in the home instead of downsizing

Sometimes it’s not about luxury. It’s about peace of mind.

🧠 My Honest Perspective

You’ve probably seen commercials with celebrities talking about reverse mortgages.

I’m not Tom Selleck. I’m not Dolly Parton.

What I am is a mortgage lender with three decades of real-world experience helping families navigate complex financial decisions.

And I’ll be candid:

👉 I didn’t always love the idea of reverse mortgages.
👉 I had questions. Concerns. Skepticism.

But the more I studied the product—and more importantly, the more I saw how it helped the right clients—the more I understood its value.

Like any financial tool, it’s not for everyone.

But for the right retiree in the right situation?
It can be a game-changer.

🏡 What Happens to the Home?

This is critical to understand:

• The homeowner must continue paying property taxes, insurance, and maintain the property.

• The loan is typically repaid when the homeowner sells the property or passes away.

• Heirs can sell the home and keep remaining equity after the loan is paid off.

In other words:

🛑 It’s not a “give your house to the bank” program.
✔️ It’s a way to responsibly access stored equity.

🔄 Reverse Mortgage vs. HELOC

You may also be considering a traditional home equity line of credit (HELOC).

Here’s the difference:

Reverse MortgageHELOCNo required monthly mortgage paymentsMonthly payments requiredDesigned for seniorsIncome qualification requiredAccess equity without adding cash flow stressBetter for working borrowers

Both have their place. The key is choosing the right strategy for your stage of life.

❤️ This Conversation Is Bigger Than Money

Sometimes the person who needs this solution isn’t you.

It’s:

👵 Mom
👴 Dad
👨‍👩‍👧 A retired relative
🏡 A widowed family member trying to stay in the home

If you’re helping guide those conversations, I’m happy to be a resource—not a salesperson—just someone who can walk through the mechanics and answer the real questions.

No pressure. No hype.

Just clarity.

📞 Let’s Talk About Your Options

If you or a family member are looking for:

• Relief from monthly payments

• Access to home equity

• Financial flexibility in retirement

• A strategy to stay in your home longer

Let’s have a conversation.

📧 Email
🌐 Website
📱 Phone

All listed below.

Sometimes the answer isn’t selling the home.
Sometimes it’s using the home to support the next chapter of life.

If that chapter is approaching for you or someone you care about, I’m here to help you navigate it intelligently and confidently.

—
Ted Wedewer
Mortgage Advisor | 30+ Years of Experience