Hello — Bruce Simmons here. If you wake up worrying about rising bills, surprise medical costs, or whether your savings will last, this episode is for you. I speak plainly about three pressures squeezing seniors today: rising Medicare costs, ever-higher housing expenses, and the sudden drop in income after a spouse dies. I’ll share real Colorado stories and explain how a reverse mortgage can be a practical tool to create breathing room — not a miracle, but a responsible option you can consider.

• The exact 2026 Medicare changes and how they affect your monthly budget.
• Why a paid-off house still creates big costs — taxes, insurance, utilities, HOA fees, and repairs.
• How losing a spouse can cut household income and create urgent cash needs.
• Real client examples of using reverse mortgages to pay off debt, cover repairs, and set up emergency funds.
• The four payout options for a reverse mortgage and which fits common needs: lump sum, monthly payments, line of credit, or a combination.
• The five responsibilities that keep a reverse mortgage in good standing.
• How a reverse mortgage line of credit grows and why it can be a safety net.
• Key factors that determine how much you can borrow: age, home equity, and interest rates.
• Practical timing advice — why setting up a reverse mortgage while both spouses are alive often makes sense.
• Questions to ask a loan professional so you go in knowing the pros and cons.

Listen to this episode to get clear numbers, straightforward advice, and practical next steps you can act on. You’ll learn what’s driving your rising costs, how a reverse mortgage works, and whether it could help protect your savings and independence. If you want a free Colorado consumer guide or a personal quote, I’ll tell you how to reach me during the show. Tune in and get the facts you need to make a calm, informed choice.

If you own your home and worry about stretching Social Security, pensions, and savings, this episode is for you. I walk you through the seven clear steps to get a reverse mortgage. I explain what really happens at each stage, what to expect, and what to watch out for. I use real examples from Colorado homeowners I’ve helped so you can see how this works in everyday life. By the end, you will know whether a reverse mortgage could give you more monthly cash, eliminate a mortgage payment, or create a safety net for unexpected costs.

• Step 1 — Awareness: What a reverse mortgage is, who qualifies (age 62+), and how it differs from a regular mortgage or selling your home.
• Step 2 — Gather facts: Where to find accurate, non-sales information (HUD, NARML, FTC) and which online traps to avoid.
• Step 3 — Counseling: Why independent HUD-approved counseling matters, what the counselor will cover, and typical fees.
• Step 4 — Application: Documents you’ll need (ID, Social Security verification, mortgage statements, insurance, income proof) and how the e-doc process works.
• Step 5 — Processing: How we order the FHA case number, the appraisal, title search, and what liens or judgments mean for your loan.
• Step 6 — Closing: What happens at signing, the three-business-day rescission period, and timing for funding and payoff of existing loans.
• Step 7 — After closing: How the loan is set up, how lines of credit take about a month to activate, and tips to manage taxes, insurance, and loan growth.
• Real examples: How borrowers used a reverse mortgage to stop a $1,500 monthly payment, fund home repairs, or keep money for travel and grandkids.
• Trade-offs and risks: How interest grows on the loan, why you still must pay taxes and insurance, and how to protect your heirs and your home.
• Practical tips: Do not give your Social Security number to get a quote, avoid data-selling lead pages, and how to choose a counselor and lender you can trust locally.

This episode breaks the process into simple, steady steps so you can make a clear decision without pressure. If you want more monthly cash, to stop a mortgage payment, or a fallback for future health or home costs, listening will give you the facts and next steps. I share real Colorado examples, practical warnings, and exact documents you’ll need.

If the thought of a government shutdown makes your finances feel shaky, this episode is for you. I walk you through what a shutdown really looks like, how it affects new and existing reverse mortgages, and what steps you can take now to protect your home and cash flow. I use plain talk, real examples, and 22 years of experience to give you clear, practical steps you can use today.

• What a government shutdown actually means for everyday services and for the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
• How an FHA-insured reverse mortgage (HECM) works, in simple terms: who lends the money, who insures it, and how the loan is repaid.
• What happens to new reverse mortgage applications during a shutdown: likely timelines, possible delays, and when lenders might pause funding.
• What happens to existing reverse mortgages: why monthly payments and line-of-credit access continue, and why your loan remains protected.
• The role of mortgage insurance in protecting you and your heirs, and how non-recourse rules work if loan balances grow.
• Differences between FHA-insured HECMs and proprietary reverse mortgages, and when a proprietary loan might be an option.
• Practical steps to take now: questions to ask your lender, whether to apply now or wait, and how to keep a line of credit ready for emergencies.
• Real examples and simple scenarios that show how a shutdown could affect a typical Colorado homeowner aged 68–70 who relies on Social Security and modest savings.

This episode removes the guessing and the worry. You’ll leave knowing whether you can still count on your monthly reverse mortgage funds, how safe your credit line is, and what to do if you’re thinking of applying during uncertain federal funding. I explain the safeguards that protect you and your estate, and I give clear next steps so you can act with confidence. Tune in to get the facts, hear real stories, and learn how to keep your home and finances steady no matter what happens in Washington.