Millions of retirees own their homes outright — and arestill rationing medications, skipping repairs, and stressing over property taxes every single month. In this episode of The Approval Advantage Podcast, 28-year mortgage veteran Mike Baltazar of Barrett Financial Group (the #1 mortgage broker by volume in the U.S. for 2025) breaks down the Retirement Mortgage — commonly known as a reverse mortgage — and why it's one of the most misunderstood, underused financial tools in America.

You'll learn:

• Why so many retirees are "house rich, cash poor" — sitting on six figures of equity while quietly struggling to cover basic expenses

• The myths that keep seniors from even exploringthe option, and what a reverse mortgage actually is

• How a reverse mortgage lets homeowners accesstheir equity with no monthly mortgage payment required — while they keep the title and keep living in the home

• How a growing line of credit works, and why the unused portion can increase over time regardless of what the home is worth

• How funds can be used — medical costs, home modifications, debt payoff, helping family, travel, or even a "reverse for purchase" move into a new home with no monthly mortgage payment

• Why financial advisors and CPAs who leave home equity out of the retirement conversation may be missing one of their clients' most powerful assets

• Why adult children, caregivers, and friends areoften the ones who start the conversation that changes everything for a retiree they love

Essential listening for financial advisors, CPAs, and estateplanners with retired clients, realtors working with senior homeowners, and any retiree — or family member of one — who assumes selling the house is the only way to access what it's worth.

Learn more or connect with Mike directly atwww.MikeBaltazar.com.

Topics: reverse mortgage, retirement mortgage, home equity for retirees, HECM loan, reverse mortgage line of credit, reverse mortgage for purchase, senior home equity,retirement planning 2026, Barrett Financial Group, Mike Baltazar