A new analysis from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College finds that nearly all retirees face surprise costs each year — from roof repairs to dental work — and a large share lack the cash to absorb even one year of these expenses. The result can be financial stress, forced asset sales or […]
Unexpected retirement expenses can strain senior homeowners Read More »
A wave of recent proposals from think tanks across the ideological spectrum argue that the ultimate solution for keeping Social Security viable lies in fundamentally changing how the program works. According to federal actuaries, Social Security’s trust funds are projected to be depleted by 2032. If Congress takes no action, benefits would be cut across
Social Security proposals raise stakes for senior homeowners Read More »
Finance of America (FOA) maintained its position as the top issuer of Home Equity Conversion Mortgage-backed Securities (HMBS) in 2025, underscoring significant changes in the reverse mortgage securitization market over the past decade. FOA issued $1.87 billion in HMBS last year, capturing roughly 30% of total market share, according to league tables compiled by New
Finance of America tops HMBS market with 30% share Read More »
A proposal aimed at providing full property tax reimbursements for senior citizens in Tennessee — with the state’s substantial budget surplus cited as justification for the plan — was recently unveiled by a local official. Rob Mitchell, the property assessor for Rutherford County, said the Tennessee Golden Homeowners Tax Relief Program would cover the
Tennessee official floats full property tax reimbursement for seniors Read More »
The National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) has voiced formal support for New Jersey Senate Bill 4970 — urging lawmakers to advance legislation that would clarify how reverse mortgages are treated under the state’s secondary mortgage law. In a letter sent to State Sen. Joseph Lagana, the association said the bill would exempt reverse mortgage
NRMLA backs New Jersey bill clarifying reverse mortgage rules Read More »
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued new guidance that clarifies how appraisers are added to, maintained on and removed from the FHA Appraiser Roster. Mortgagee Letter 2025-24 — effective immediately — updates FHA policy to make appraiser eligibility easier to track and more consistent with federal and state licensing records. Changes apply
HUD tightens rules for FHA appraiser roster Read More »
A Massachusetts judge has barred home equity contract provider Hometap from arguing that state regulators previously approved or implicitly sanctioned the company’s business model — strengthening the attorney general’s consumer protection lawsuit against Hometap. In a Dec. 19 decision, Suffolk County Superior Court Judge Debra Squires-Lee ruled that such fairness-based arguments cannot be used to
Judge blocks key Hometap defenses in Massachusetts HEI lawsuit Read More »
The reverse mortgage market is expected to see growth in 2026 as lenders and originators adapt to evolving interest rate conditions and innovate to reach more borrowers. John Lunde, founder and president of Reverse Market Insight, said that 2025 marked a shift in focus for many originators, as they recognized that mortgage rates might not
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Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recently announced “Operation Double Nickel,” a proposal that would lower the age for senior property tax benefits from 65 to 55 and expand homestead tax exemptions. According to Patrick’s website, the plan “would accelerate school property tax cuts, reduce school property taxes, and freeze appraised values for more than 3.3
Texas proposes property tax cuts for homeowners 55+ Read More »
A proposal to remove housing counseling as a front-end requirement for borrowers seeking government-insured reverse mortgages would eliminate a key consumer protection for seniors, according to Peter M. Mazonas, CEO of NatEquity Inc. Mazonas voiced his concerns in a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. His comments came in response to
HUD reverse mortgage counseling removal risks senior protections Read More »