Using a Reverse Mortgage for Home Improvements

reverse mortgage aging in placeUsing a Reverse Mortgage to Improve Your Home and Age in Place.

For many homeowners, the goal isn’t to move — it’s to stay.

I often speak with homeowners who love their neighborhood, their community, and their home, but realize that the house itself may need updates to support the next phase of life. Whether that means improving accessibility, upgrading systems, or making the home more comfortable and efficient, remodeling can play a key role in aging in place.

For homeowners 62 and older, a reverse mortgage can be a valuable option to help fund those improvements. [Read more…]

Remodeling Your Home: Financing Options to Consider for a Major Renovation

remodeling your seattle homeRecently, I spoke with a Seattle homeowner who is planning a major remodel. Like many homeowners, he initially reached out asking about a HELOC — which is often the first option people think of when they want to improve their home. They currently have a very low rate with their existing mortgage, which is one reason why they’re considering a home equity line of credit.

As we talked through his plans, budget, and long-term goals, it became clear that there were several ways to approach financing a remodel, each with very different advantages and limitations.

If you’re considering remodeling your home — whether it’s a kitchen overhaul, an addition, or a full transformation — understanding these options upfront can help you choose the strategy that fits your project best. [Read more…]

Don’t Let a Reverse Mortgage Scare You – Learn More at Our Workshop!

Join me and Charles at our upcoming 1-hour workshop on Reverse Mortgages on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. This is online and you can rsvp by scanning the QR code below or by clicking here.

Help for Seniors Being Priced Out of their Homes

I was in a neighborhood group on Facebook where someone was sharing that they were having to sell their home that had been in the family for generations. They can no longer afford living in the Seattle area and had made the difficult decision to move their family. If you’re 62 or better, you may not have to sell your home to create a more affordable lifestyle. [Read more…]

Mortgage Rate Update for the Week of May 19, 2025

Mortgage rates seem to be steady (or stuck!) in the same range since early April. Check out my latest Mortgage Rate Update to get the details.

If you’re thinking about buying, selling, refinancing or remodeling your home, please contact me! And don’t forget, we have our Reverse Mortgage Workshop this week on Thursday, “Retire Like a Boss”. This is a virtual event from noon-1pm so you can grab a lunch, your laptop and learn more about this tool for a comfortable retirement!

Join Me! Retire Like a Boss: Reverse Mortgage Workshop

Grab a lunch and your computer to learn more during our one-hour workshop where we discuss reverse mortgages. Whether retirement is on the horizon for you or if you’re wanting to learn about possible options for your parents, this workshop will help answer questions and address common misconceptions about the modern reverse mortgage.

I’m hosting the event along with Charles Butler, Retirement Mortgage Advisor – NMLS#2262315.

When: Thursday, May 22, 2025 from 12:00 – 1:00 pm PST.

Click here to RSVP or scan the QR code below. [Read more…]

Mortgage Rate Update for the Week of May 5, 2025

How are mortgage rates doing after the conflicting jobs data last week?

Will the Fed lower rates on Wednesday? (Spoiler alert – the Fed does not directly control mortgage interest rates).

What’s going on with federal student loans?

And an announcement on our upcoming webinar “Retire Like a Boss” on this week’s episode!

 

How King County Senior Citizens Can Reduce Their Property Taxes

As the October 31 property tax payment deadline nears, King County Assessor John Wilson has a clear message for seniors: Take advantage of the county’s property tax relief program, which is designed to help seniors reduce their tax burdens and stay in their homes longer.

Thanks to recent legislative changes, the property tax relief program is now accessible to even more seniors. The income threshold has increased to $84,000, making many more residents eligible for a tax exemption that could lower their property taxes by as much as 90%. [Read more…]