Everything on reverse mortgages in one place: the guides that explain how a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) works, dated updates as policy and programs change, writing that goes deeper, and a fast way for advisors to bring me a scenario.
Start with the guides
How a HECM works
The mechanics, plainly — balance growth, proceeds, what you keep paying.
Read the guide →Is it right for me?
Including the situations where it isn’t, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Read the guide →Counseling & process
The independent HUD-approved step that comes before any application.
Read the guide →Looking for HELOC or home equity loan education?
Second mortgages keep the first mortgage in place and use different payment, access, and repayment structures from a HECM.
Open the Second Mortgage Knowledge CenterLatest HECM updates
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HUD-approved counseling is still required before a HECM application
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The controlling HECM policy is FHA Handbook 4000.1, Update 17
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Bring me an illustrative HECM scenario — a short worksheet, nothing required, no client data needed.
Submit a scenario