I am Christopher Gibson, and I tell every client the same thing: do not take my word for it, read widely first. So I gathered the reverse mortgage resources I actually trust here, the ones I send to skeptical advisers and adult children alike. Start anywhere.
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Government and regulator reverse mortgage resources
For the official rules, go to the source. First, HUD runs the program, and its HECM program page is the government’s own explainer of the insured loan. Then, when you are ready for the required session, HUD’s counselor locator finds an approved agency. For plain-English consumer guidance, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s reverse mortgage hub is the most readable overview I know. In addition, its heirs Q&A answers the estate questions clearly. Finally, the Federal Trade Commission’s reverse mortgage page lays out the basics and the warning signs.
Nonprofit and consumer reverse mortgage resources
Beyond the regulators, a few nonprofits are worth your time. For example, the National Council on Aging offers independent reverse mortgage guidance, along with its well-known booklet, Use Your Home to Stay at Home, written for older homeowners. Similarly, the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association runs reversemortgage.org, which offers consumer checklists and a self-evaluation. Still, it is an industry group, so read it as such. The tools are genuinely useful. Meanwhile, for the long view, the Boston College Center for Retirement Research studies how home equity fits into a retirement plan.
Reverse mortgage research and further reading
If you want evidence rather than opinion, start with Wade Pfau’s overview in Forbes. Then read the Financial Planning Association’s Journal of Financial Planning. For a plain summary of the key studies, I pulled them together on our own research page.
Our reverse mortgage guides
Of course, the rest of this library is a resource too. Start with the plain-English guide, then how it works, the growing line of credit, and the costs. From there, compare a reverse mortgage and a HELOC, review the types and requirements, and clear up the myths and facts. When you are close, read up on counseling, browse the FAQ, weigh the research, and try the is-it-right-for-me guide.
Reverse Mortgage Calculator
Read up, then put real numbers to it.
A reverse mortgage is a loan. The balance grows over time and is repaid when the last borrower leaves the home. You keep the title, and you remain responsible for property taxes, homeowners insurance, and upkeep.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best reverse mortgage resources?
For unbiased basics, start with the CFPB and the FTC. HUD has the program rules and the counseling requirement. The National Council on Aging offers a strong nonprofit view. And for the evidence, the Journal of Financial Planning and Wade Pfau’s writing are the go-to sources.
Where can I find a HUD-approved counselor?
Use HUD’s official counselor locator, which lists approved agencies. You can also ask the National Council on Aging. Either way, the counselor must be independent of the lender, and that is the point.
Are reverse mortgage lender websites trustworthy?
They can be useful, but read them knowing the source. For example, the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association runs a helpful consumer site, though it is an industry group. So it is smart to weigh it alongside the regulators and the research.
Have more questions? See our full reverse mortgage FAQ.
Learn how reverse mortgages work
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About Christopher Gibson
I am Christopher Gibson, a mortgage broker and reverse mortgage specialist with C2 Financial (NMLS #1910430), licensed across Washington, Colorado, Texas, Florida, and Michigan. I would rather you read widely and decide for yourself than take my word for it. When you want a real conversation, call or text 720-449-6622, same day, no pressure.