janjordan, Author at Colorado Reverse Mortgage Specialist - Jan Jordan

Author: janjordan

How A Reverse Mortgage Can Provide Financial Security

Posted on October 27, 2022November 12, 2022 by janjordan

The reverse mortgage of today is NOT your mother’s reverse mortgage. The once shamed program is now helping seniors from all different walks of life fill retirement gaps and provide protection and stability through their golden years. Financial advisers and retirement planners are beginning to incorporate a reverse mortgage into retirement portfolios at the beginning of retirement, rather than using them as an emergency life line once the “nest egg” has been exhausted.

Through the use of a strategic FHA insured reverse mortgage, retired homeowners are able to use the equity in their homes as an available line of credit for life – without being required to make a monthly mortgage or loan payment. That’s right – a reverse mortgage CAN provide Colorado’s seniors with guaranteed cash flow for life – as long as they continue to live in the home and keep their property taxes, homeowners insurance, and HOA fees up to date. The funds can be used for whatever the borrower deems fit – additional income, medical expenses, vacations, home repairs or modifications, gifts, etc.

Reverse mortgages are available to homeowners 62 and over, including married couples with many protections in place to ensure borrowers are adequately educated before using this option, such as required third-party counseling, reverse mortgages are gaining in popularity among retirees from all walks of life. A reverse mortgage for purchase option is available for those looking to purchase a new residence.

Jan Jordan is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Longmont, Boulder and other Front Range areas of Colorado, as well as the Cheyenne and Laramie communities of Wyoming. Contact Jan and learn if reverse mortgage is right for you.

Aging In Place: A Decision Making Guide

Posted on October 20, 2022November 12, 2022 by janjordan

Retirement has evolved over the past few decades. At one time it was assumed you’d live with your adult children or in a senior home as you age. At another time, dreams of moving far away to warmer climates and lush golf courses was the trend. And now, the preference is staying at home and aging in place.

According to American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), 90 percent of retirees now say they want to age in place, with 82% of them reporting they prefer in home care if medical assistance becomes necessary.

So how do you know if staying put during retirement is right for you?

1.) You have established professional, social and family networks

Strong social networks is critical to a happy retirement. Professional networks from working or volunteer networks from performing acts of service can help to decrease boredom and boost moods. Social networks help physically, mentally, and emotionally. An established circle of friends, as well as nearby family, has been proven to lend to a successful and content retirement. Moving away from children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren can be very difficult for many.

2.) You have important service providers established

Important service providers include everything from doctors and dentists, to financial planners and attorneys, to mechanics. In the case of chronic or serious conditions, staying put may be out of necessity to remain near medical providers or in home me

3.) It’s difficult to sell the home

Although Colorado has seen a boom in the housing market, there are still some areas where selling the home may be a difficult option. Or for personal reasons, you simply don’t want to.

Reverse mortgages have been making it possible to age in place for years now. These specialized loans are available to homeowners 62 and over, including married couples with many protections in place to ensure borrowers are adequately educated before using this option, such as required third-party counseling, reverse mortgages are gaining in popularity among retirees from all walks of life. A reverse mortgage for purchase option is available for those looking to purchase a new residence.

Is Your Financial Planner Talking To You About Reverse Mortgages?

Posted on October 13, 2022October 17, 2022 by janjordan

When financial planners counsel retirees on how to best leverage their retirement portfolio, social security, and other assets, considering a reverse mortgage was long not part of that conversation – but this is beginning to change.

As the myths of the industry are laid to rest, many professionals are beginning to better understand how reverse mortgage can be used as a financial planning tool for seniors who are on a strict budget or who want to live their golden years to the fullest. Reverse mortgages can often mean the difference between just living and living life to the fullest.

A few tips for financial planners:

Seek out and work with a reputable reverse mortgage specialist who has strong ties to the community, lends from an organization that is a member of the Better Business Bureau, and is associated with the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association.
Make sure you fully understand the information you may be offering your retiree client. With the amount of misinformation within the industry, if you are not 100% sure of an answer, call your trusted reverse mortgage specialist to ensure the information you are providing is accurate.
Communicate with adult children who may have concerns and make sure they fully understand the process from A to Z. Eliminating misinformation is key.
Remember, reverse mortgages are not one-size-fits-all. Be creative and comprehensive when considering adding a reverse mortgage to a long term retirement plan.

Jan Jordan is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, and Front Range areas of Colorado. Click here to contact Jan and learn if reverse mortgage is right for you.

Reverse Mortgage Line Of Credit Underutilized Retirement Tool

Posted on October 6, 2022October 17, 2022 by janjordan

The HECM Reverse Mortgage Line of Credit is still relatively new, and to this day many within the financial and retirement industries haven’t fully grasped how it works. Well, they need to get on board because consumers are interested – and they should be. Here’s why..

First, what is a line of credit? Simply put, a line of credit are funds available to you through a financial institution that you can access as needed, or not at all if the need doesn’t arise. Interest is not acquired if the funds are not used. This makes line of credit options excellent safety nets, especially for the purpose of creative retirement strategy.

When looking at a HECM Reverse Mortgage Line of Credit, the two are obviously intertwined, meaning the qualification requirements for any reverse mortgage still apply. These are: age 62 and over, using your primary residence for the loan, this home must meet HUD’s guidelines and needs to be either paid off or have substantial equity, and the borrower must have the financial capability to continue to pay homeowners insurance, property taxes, and the like. Because there are various options to receive the payout from a reverse mortgage, the line of credit is only one of them.

When you have a reverse mortgage line of credit, you have money that is available to you — but you only accrue interest on the money you withdraw. This means the reverse mortgage line of credit can act as an excellent back up source of funds or can be used for retirement fun, whether it be vacation, spoiling grandchildren, or knowing you have the funds available when you’re ready to take on new ventures.

There are other benefits though. This line of credit is pretty astounding beyond just being a safety net.

Growth: Not only are you not paying interest, but your untouched reverse mortgage line of credit can grow in value. Money in a reverse mortgage line of credit grows at the same rate as the interest rate on the loan PLUS 1.25% monthly. So, if the interest rate on your reverse mortgage is 2.50%, then your line of credit will grow at 3.75% (2.50% + 1.25%).

Unique: This growth is unique to reverse mortgage lines of credit — a HELOC for example does not grow.

Hedge Against Falling House Prices: The growth in a reverse mortgage line of credit is guaranteed — without withdrawals, your line of credit is guaranteed to grow. This means you lock in the current value of your home without taking out an interest acruing loan.

Pretty great, isn’t it?

Jan Jordan is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Longmont, Boulder and other Front Range areas of Colorado. Click here to contact Jan and learn if reverse mortgage is right for you.

Interest Rates And Your Reverse Mortgage

Posted on September 29, 2022October 17, 2022 by janjordan

Interest rates have been at historic lows for years. This has afforded thousands of Americans to the ability to secure home loans for their dream house. It’s also worked in favor for those who have made the decision to tap in their home equity using a reverse mortgage. But interest rates affect a conventional loan differently than a reverse mortgage.

HECM reverse mortgage are insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), and are available to homeowners 62 and over. These tax-free loans convert a portion of home equity into cash without incurring a loan payment. Borrowers can access the funds via monthly installments, line of credit, a lump sum, and even to purchase a home. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which regulates the reverse mortgage industry, sets a “floor” rate of about 5%. As interest rates rise and fall above this floor rate, borrowers will receive less or more in proceeds. In fact, even a small rise of 1% above the floor rate can decrease available funds by as much as 20%.

Fortunately, once a homeowner has tapped into a reverse mortgage they lock in the interest rate and proceeds will never decrease, no matter what the market does, and the funds available will increase over time when using the line of credit option. In addition, even if the home decreases in value below the amount of their loan proceeds, they will never be responsible for more than the home is worth.

Bottom line: with interest rates on the rise, now is the time to act if you’re considering a reverse mortgage.

Jan Jordan is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Erie, Dacono, Fort Lupton, Windsor, Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Longmont, Boulder and other Front Range areas of Colorado. Contact Jan and learn if reverse mortgage is right for you.

The Changing Needs Of Housing For Older Adults

Posted on September 22, 2022October 17, 2022 by janjordan

If you find yourself yearning for a retirement of comfort in your own home in a community you love, you are definitely not alone. Here are some pretty telling facts and statistics surrounding the desires of older adults in the U.S..

According to research by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP):

Nearly 90 percent of seniors want to stay in their own homes as they age.
Even if they begin to need day-to-day assistance or ongoing health care during retirement, 82% would prefer to stay in their homes.
Most pre-retirees expect they will be able to live independently during retirement; only 14% expect they will need day-to-day assistance or ongoing health care at any point during their retirement.
Thinking about parents’ getting older is on the minds of 88% of adult children.
75% of adult children and 69 % of parents think about the parents’ ability to live independently as they get older
AARP identified housing features that seniors find are especially important in the later years: – Safety features such as non-slip floor surfaces (80 percent)– Bathroom aides such as grab bars (79 percent)
– A personal alert system that allows people to call for help in emergencies (79 percent)

– Entrance without steps (77 percent)

– Wider doorways (65 percent)

– Lever-handled doorknobs (54 percent)

– Higher electrical outlets (46 percent)

– Lower electrical switches (38 percent)

From the National Assocation of Home Builders:

75% of remodelers report an increase in inquiries related to aging in place.
The NAHB predicts that aging in place remodeling market to be $20-$25 billion. That’s about 10 percent of the $214 billion home improvement industry.

According to the MetLife Mature Marketing Institute:

91% of pre-retirees age 50 to 65 responded that they want to live in their own homes in retirement. Of that group, 49% want to stay in their current homes, and 38% want to move to new homes

Whether it’s the desire to simply stay put through retirement, or to make modifications to the home, or even to purchase a new home, a reverse mortgage is a flexible tool to help finance any of these.

Reverse mortgages are available to homeowners 62 and over, including married couples, with many protections in place to ensure borrowers are adequately educated before using this option, such as required third-party counseling. Reverse mortgages are gaining in popularity among retirees from all walks of life. A reverse mortgage for purchase option is available for those looking to purchase a new residence.

Getting A Reverse Mortgage As A Married Couple

Posted on September 15, 2022October 17, 2022 by janjordan

If you and your spouse are considering obtaining a reverse mortgage, it’s important to understand the long term effect it could have on either spouse once the other passes away, and feel confident any appropriate protections are in place.

What Married Couples Need to Know

When applying for a reverse mortgage the amount of money you can receive is calculated according to the age of the youngest borrower. The older the borrower, the more money is available from the lender.

If both homeowners are over the age of 62, both homeowners can be on a reverse mortgage loan. If both spouses are on the loan, the loan continues if either passes away and will continue until both borrowers have passed.

Another scenario to consider is if a borrower obtains a reverse mortgage and then remarries. If this was to happen, it wouldn’t be unheard of for the married couple to live in the home for 20 or more years before the borrower passes. At this time the new spouse would not be protected under the existing reverse mortgage loan. If you have reverse mortgage and you remarry, you could consider looking into refinancing the reverse mortgage and adding the new spouse to the loan.

And yet one more thing to note is the possibility one spouse needs to move out of the home into an assisted living facility due to health concerns. If this happens, as long as the spouse that remains in the home is on the loan, they can continue under their current reverse mortgage.

Bottom line: If you are married and are considering obtaining a reverse mortgage, it is extremely important to work with a trusted and experienced reverse mortgage specialist who can easily answer all of your questions and address any concerns you may have. Making sure both spouses are protected should be a lender’s top priority.

Reverse Mortgages Helping the Elderly Age at Home

Posted on September 1, 2022September 2, 2022 by janjordan

As traditional forms of elder care continue to be overshadowed by numerous other options, reverse mortgage is often helping senior individuals stay in their homes while they age. Since reverse mortgages can open up opportunity to turn home equity into liquid cash, without having to move or make a mortgage loan payment, seniors and their families are using this opportunity to pay for care that would otherwise not be covered by basic Medicare or Medicaid.

Traditionally, “long term” elder care takes place in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Medicare or Medicaid will often cover these expenses. but there is little public assistance for “in-home care”, although it varies from state to state. As economic woes lend to retirement fears, reverse mortgage is more commonly being utilized for what it can do best, provide security for those most in need and offer a longer-term lifeline without disrupting the lives of the recipients.

Studies have shown that the benefits of aging in place can be enormous for the right candidate. Not only can a move be both emotionally and physically challenging on a senior, especially one with medical concerns, it’s known that the quality of life tends to increase when seniors maintain their independence and their community ties. Benefits include:

Comfort. We all know the saying “There’s no place like home”, but this is often especially true when a senior has lived in a home for years or has lost a spouse. Uprooting from such familiarity can have drastic affects.
Community Ties. More often seniors are developing strong community ties well into their retirement years. Family and friends are wonderful for grounding an aging loved one.
Independence. Remaining independent keeps seniors healthier than ever realized before. It also allows them to continue doing many of the things they have always done and enjoyed.
Mentality. Our home life strongly impacts how we feel mentally. If a senior stays home to age they are likely to feel much better and happier than one that has been put into a nursing home or assisted care facility.

A reverse mortgage can help seniors 62 and over tap into their home equity regardless of income or credit. For more detailed information on how a reverse mortgage works, click here.

Jan Jordan is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, and Front Range areas of Colorado. Click here to contact Jan and learn if reverse mortgage is right for you.

Assisted Living or Reverse Mortgage: Pros and Cons

Posted on August 25, 2022September 2, 2022 by janjordan

In our society, the elderly and nursing homes go hand in hand. But when speaking with elderly people, one of their biggest fears is being placed into a nursing home. Who can blame them? According to National Center on Elder abuse, one study interviewing 2,000 nursing home residents reported that 44% said they had been abused and 95% said they had been neglected or seen another resident neglected. When considering the psyche of an older senior, nursing homes or convalescent homes mean “end of life”. Often times adult children don’t know a better solution as the needs of the parents increase, the home is no longer suited for their parent, and/or they do not have the funds or the time for in home care. Reverse mortgages have been helping seniors in need for years. But now as retirement planners are realizing the benefit the can offer long term, they are now being used more proactively.

Reverse mortgage is a great method to finance in-home care to avoid nursing homes, pay for medical care, and even fund home modifications. For seniors who are looking to situate long term and prepare to live their golden years in their own home, a move to a new residence closer to family or more suited for senior life may be in order. The reverse mortgage for purchase is perfect option for these situations. Reverse mortgage for purchase allows the purchase of a different residence using a reverse mortgage while still employing the perks of a traditional reverse mortgage – living mortgage payment free. In addition, reverse mortgages do not affect social security, pensions, or medicare.

Both reverse mortgage for purchase and traditional reverse mortgage are available to seniors 62 and over. The home must be the primary residence and it must be a HUD approved property type.

Jan Jordan is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, and Front Range areas of Colorado. Click here to contact Jan and learn if reverse mortgage is right for yo

Watching Out For Identity Theft

Posted on August 18, 2022September 2, 2022 by janjordan

According to the 1998 Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act identity theft is when someone “knowingly transfers or uses, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet, any unlawful activity that constitutes a violation of federal law, or that constitutes a felony under any applicable state or local law.”

The three most common types of identity theft are:

Financial identity theft (using another’s identity to obtain credit, goods and services)
Identity cloning (using another’s information to assume his or her identity in daily life)
Medical identity theft (using another’s identity to obtain medical care or drugs)

How does Identity Theft happen?

In today’s technology driven society, protecting your identity is more important than ever. But don’t assume identity theft only happens online. It can happen anywhere, anytime. Someone could be watching over your shoulder as you fill out a form at your doctor’s office. Another individual could be rummaging through your trash, hoping to find a tossed out credit card offer. Your email program’s spam filter may not be blocking those emails from Phishing websites. There are many ways to fall victim to identity theft, arming yourself with facts and prevention is key to protection.

How do I protect myself from Identity Theft?

Be aware of your surroundings. When filling out forms that include private information, take a seat away from others when possible. Never throw out forms or paperwork that may have your personal information on them, always take these home with you and dispose of them properly.
Don’t toss out credit card offers or other junk mail that pertains to obtaining credit. In addition, any other private information you have – bills, car registration, insurance documents, bank statements – should always be disposed of properly and NEVER put out with your household trash. These items should be shredded or burned. In addition, limiting the amount of junk mail you receive by “opting out” of mail distribution lists can vastly decrease your risk. Opt out by calling 1-888-5-OPTOUT.
Never follow links to bank accounts, credit accounts, PayPal accounts, etc from an email. “Phishing” emails may appear as a completely legitimate email from your bank or credit card company, warning you of unauthorized transactions or other alarming information. These emails will include links that take you to a website that looks identical to your bank’s – but it’s not. Once you enter your information into this “Phishing” site, you have given some of your most valuable financial information to a con-artist. ALWAYS access your bank and credit accounts by entering their web address into your web browser, NEVER through a link. Reputable companies will not contact you via email about such important matters.
Don’t respond to emails offering money in exchange for “helping” an individual transfer money into the country. These are always scams and have proven to be very dangerous.
Password protect your computer and your wireless internet. Use firewalls and virus protection software.
Never give personal information to telephone solicitors or door to door solicitors. Do not give out personal information over the phone unless you placed the call yourself.
Lock your car. Identity theft via “glove compartment” information is on the rise. Keeping your car locked can ensure you are not an easy target.
Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or purse. Purge expired credit cards, insurance cards, and ID’s regularly. Keep these items at home in a safe place.
If you do not have a locking mailbox, do not mail payments using your mailbox. Always take the mail directly to the post office.

What do I do if think I’ve been targeted?

Contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-IDTHEFT or www.ftc.gov

Jan Jordan is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, and Front Range areas of Colorado. Click here to contact Jan and learn if reverse mortgage is right for you.