Reverse Mortgage Radio

Bruce Simmons

Unlock the door to a financially free retirement with 'Reverse Mortgage Radio' – your go-to source for savvy financial insights in the world of reverse mortgages. Dive deep into the untapped potential of your home equity with industry experts, real-life success stories, and cutting-edge strategies that set us apart. Tune in to 'Reverse Mortgage Radio' and transform your golden years from uncertain to unbelievable. Hit subscribe and start redefining retirement on your terms today!

  1. 3d ago

    An HECM Is More Than a Loan: Three Strategies for Retirement Income, Care, and Taxes

    Last week I explained how interest rates work on a HECM. This week I want to take it a step further, because a HECM is not just a loan — in the right hands, it's a financial planning tool and a tax planning tool. So today I walk you through three strategies. The first two are financial planning strategies. The third is a tax planning strategy, and if you have a CPA or tax professional, I really want you to talk to them about it — especially if you're planning to move, because it works with the reverse mortgage for purchase program. I start with the engine behind all three: the growing line of credit. The part of the line you don't use grows every month at the same rate your loan balance grows — your interest rate plus the half-percent mortgage insurance. That single feature is what makes these strategies work. From there I cover the standby line of credit that protects your portfolio in a down market, how a reverse mortgage can cover long-term care insurance premiums while reducing what you pull from your portfolio every year, and finally the reverse mortgage for purchase strategy where you let the interest build up, then use your required minimum distribution to pay it down — potentially unlocking a tax deduction while the money goes right back into your growing line of credit. I also share the honest cautions: I'm a reverse mortgage professional, not a tax advisor. Please take this to your CPA. Every situation is different — my job is to educate you, not pressure you. No cost, no obligation, no pressure.

    An HECM Is More Than a Loan: Three Strategies for Retirement Income, Care, and Taxes

  2. Sep 17

    HECM vs. Proprietary Reverse Mortgages: Which One Is Right for You?

    Ninety-five percent of the time, I talk about the FHA-insured reverse mortgage — the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, or HECM. But this year, I've done more non-FHA, proprietary reverse mortgages than I have in the last five years combined. And I want to explain why. In this episode, I compare the HECM and proprietary reverse mortgages in plain language. I cover how they're the same — no required monthly payments, non-recourse protection, and the same five responsibilities — and then I dig into the differences that actually matter: minimum ages, how much money you can access, the 60% initial disbursement rule, origination fees, mortgage insurance, interest rates, condos, debt payoff, declining markets, and the line of credit guarantee. The short version? For most people, long term, the FHA-insured HECM is the better situation. But there are a lot of reasons it might not work for you — and that's exactly why I'm here to help you compare programs side by side. If you've ever wondered which type of reverse mortgage fits your situation, this episode is for you.

    HECM vs. Proprietary Reverse Mortgages: Which One Is Right for You?

  3. Sep 11

    Are Reverse Mortgages Expensive? A Cost Breakdown, Bucket by Bucket

    "Reverse mortgages are expensive." I've heard that more times than I can count over my 23-year career. Today, I take that claim apart piece by piece — and let you decide for yourself. To call anything expensive, you need something to compare it to. But a reverse mortgage is its own breed: it's the only mortgage that lets you live in your home for the rest of your life with never, ever a required monthly mortgage payment. So I walk through the three buckets of closing costs on the FHA-insured HECM — the upfront mortgage insurance premium, the origination fee, and the third-party costs — and explain exactly what each one buys you, from the lifetime guarantee and non-recourse protection to interest rates about three-quarters of a point below a conventional 30-year mortgage. I also share a special announcement for veterans. There's no VA reverse mortgage, and I've always thought that's a gap. So I've decided to do something about it — stick around to the end to hear my offer. If you've ever wondered whether the costs are worth it, this episode will give you the facts to decide for yourself.

    Are Reverse Mortgages Expensive? A Cost Breakdown, Bucket by Bucket

  4. Sep 3

    Aging in Place... or Not: Should You Stay or Should You Go?

    Should I stay in my home as I age, or should I move to something better suited for the years ahead? It's a question almost nobody answers on purpose. Most people let it answer itself — until a fall, a health scare, or the loss of a spouse makes the decision for them at the worst possible time. In this episode, I walk through three good reasons to stay in your home and three good reasons to consider moving. I also explain why the timing of that decision matters just as much as the decision itself — because it's far easier to decide at 65 than it is at 85. Along the way, I show how a reverse mortgage can support you no matter which choice you make. If you're determined to stay, it can fund home modifications and in-home care. If you're ready to move, the HECM for Purchase program can help you buy a better home without a monthly mortgage payment. If you've been putting off this question, this episode is for you.

    Aging in Place... or Not: Should You Stay or Should You Go?

  5. Aug 26

    Three Ways a Reverse Mortgage Can Build Financial Security

    Social Security's trust fund is now projected to run dry by 2032 — just six years away — which could mean benefits cut to 78% of what's scheduled. I'm not an alarmist, but that's exactly the kind of headline that keeps people up at night. The good news? There are things you can control, starting with the equity in your home. In this episode, I break down three ways a reverse mortgage can help build real financial security and peace of mind. First, the growing line of credit — a FHA-guaranteed cushion that grows over time, can never be frozen, and acts as a financial shock absorber. Second, an alternate source of cash during down markets, so you don't have to sell investments at the worst possible time and pay taxes on the losses. And third, supplementing your fixed income with tax-free monthly payments so you can live comfortably with dignity. I also talk about why timing matters — because studies show people who use a reverse mortgage as a last resort are worse off than those who put it in place strategically, early on. If you've been wondering whether home equity could play a role in your retirement, this episode is for you.

    Three Ways a Reverse Mortgage Can Build Financial Security

  6. Aug 19

    When $500,000 Isn't What It Used to Be: Inflation, Retirement Savings, and How a Reverse Mortgage Can Help

    Picture this: a couple retires in 2020 with $500,000 in savings. Five years later, they're 70 years old, and that half-million dollars doesn't stretch nearly as far as it used to. Colorado has been running at about 5% inflation, and the average household here has spent $60,000 more since 2020 just to maintain the same lifestyle. In this episode, I break down how inflation compounds against a fixed retirement income, why drawing from your portfolio during a down market can hurt you for years, and the practical ways a reverse mortgage can help protect your cash flow. I cover paying off existing mortgages and liens to eliminate monthly payments, the growing line of credit that can act as your emergency fund, converting equity into monthly income, and the five things you're still responsible for with a reverse mortgage. If you're worried about outliving your money, this episode is for you — because a reverse mortgage isn't just for desperate people. It's a planning tool that can help extend the life of your savings.

    When $500,000 Isn't What It Used to Be: Inflation, Retirement Savings, and How a Reverse Mortgage Can Help

  7. Aug 12

    Denver's Shifting Market: A Realtor's Guide to Buying, Selling, and Downsizing

    Today I'm joined by my friend and fellow Denver Metro Association of Realtors member Alex Kishinevsky, a Denver Metro realtor with 15 years in the business and 350-plus transactions under his belt. We sit down to break down what's actually happening in the Denver housing market right now. We dig into the real numbers — a flat single-family market around $614,000, condos that have softened 15 to 20 percent, days on market, and weeks of inventory — and what those trends actually mean for you. Alex shares his three keys to buying and his three keys to selling in this market, plus how condos can be a smart, lower-maintenance option for homeowners who want to downsize and age in place. Along the way, I show how a reverse mortgage can make buying that next home possible with no monthly mortgage payment. Whether you're thinking of buying, selling, or downsizing, this episode is packed with practical, straight-shooting advice for Colorado homeowners.

    Denver's Shifting Market: A Realtor's Guide to Buying, Selling, and Downsizing

  8. Aug 5

    Three Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting a Reverse Mortgage

    Before you dive into researching a reverse mortgage, there are three fundamental questions every homeowner should ask themselves. In this episode, I break them down one by one to help you approach your home equity with complete clarity and zero pressure. First: What do you want the reverse mortgage to accomplish for your cash flow? Whether it's eliminating a monthly mortgage payment, paying off a HELOC, or using HECM for Purchase to right-size, knowing your 'why' is everything.  Second: Is it a safe, regulated product? I revisit the strict guardrails — from mandatory HUD counseling to non-recourse protections — that make this one of the most secure loans available.  And third: Are you comfortable with negative amortization? We talk honestly about how loan balances grow over time, what it means for your heirs, and why this program is meant to relieve financial stress, never create it. If you're considering your options in retirement, this episode is the best place to start.

    Three Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting a Reverse Mortgage
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About

Unlock the door to a financially free retirement with 'Reverse Mortgage Radio' – your go-to source for savvy financial insights in the world of reverse mortgages. Dive deep into the untapped potential of your home equity with industry experts, real-life success stories, and cutting-edge strategies that set us apart. Tune in to 'Reverse Mortgage Radio' and transform your golden years from uncertain to unbelievable. Hit subscribe and start redefining retirement on your terms today!

Information

  • Creator
    Bruce Simmons
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    133
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 Bruce Simmons
  • Show Website
    Reverse Mortgage Radio

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