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Programs
HECM The standard FHA-insured reverse mortgage. HECM for Purchase Buy a new home with a reverse mortgage. Jumbo Reverse NEW Loan amounts up to $4M for high-value homes. HECM Refinance See if today's rates can work in your favor.
How It Works
How Does It Work? The process from application to funding, in plain English. Pros & Cons Real benefits, real tradeoffs, real numbers. Today's Rates Current HECM rates, margins, and MIP — updated daily. 2026 Lending Limits The 2026 FHA ceiling and how it affects your max loan. Eligibility Requirements Age, equity, property, credit, residency — all in one place. HUD Counseling Required pre-loan step — what it covers and how to find one.
Calculators
Reverse Mortgage Calculator Instant Powered by ARLO™ — live rates, ZIP-accurate closing costs, HECM & jumbo. No personal info required. Line of Credit Calculator Instant See your HECM credit line and how it grows over time. Refinance Calculator Instant Does refinancing your HECM pay off? Uses the 5× benefit rule. Purchase Calculator Estimate down payment and proceeds for a HECM for Purchase. Amortization Calculator Track loan balance and equity over time. Excel report included.
Resources
Ask ARLO™ Search 2,000+ answered questions. Instant answers, no form. ARLO™ Blog Market updates and rate commentary from CEO Michael G. Branson. Reader Q&A Real questions from homeowners, answered by our specialists.
Why All Reverse
HUD-approved direct lender · NMLS #13999
4.9/5 from 1,200+ reviews


Author Archives

This Little-Known LESA Growth Feature Is a Game Changer

    2 comments
This Little-Known Reverse Mortgage Feature Could Be a Game Changer Qualifying for a reverse mortgage is tougher for some people today than it has been in the past. That’s because new underwriting standards have been developed in the past year to ensure that these loan products are safer for the borrowers who use them. As of April 27, 2015, all...
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Avoid These 3 Common Reverse Mortgage Mistakes to Protect Your Retirement

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Reverse mortgages offer homeowners aged 62 and older a powerful tool to tap into home equity, providing tax-free funds for retirement.  Whether covering medical bills, funding in-home care, or making home improvements, these proceeds can enhance financial flexibility—without the burden of state or federal income taxes.  However, their success hinges on smart decision-making.  Careless use can jeopardize your financial security...
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How Reverse Mortgages Have Become Safer: Essential Protections Explained

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For years, reverse mortgages carried a stigma.  High fees, the fear of losing your home, and tales of predatory lenders made many older homeowners wary.  Yet, these loans have evolved significantly.  Thanks to robust regulations, federal insurance, and greater transparency, reverse mortgages are now safer than ever, offering a secure way for retirees to tap into their home equity. What’s...
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Here are 3 Reverse Mortgage Examples in 2026

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Is there an example of how a reverse mortgage works? We get this question all the time from borrowers, family members, and even others in the lending industry and other professional industries who don't understand the product.  Almost everyone seems to have an opinion on reverse mortgages, often based on virtually no factual knowledge. Often, people base their opinions on...
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Bank of America Reverse Mortgage Review (2026 Update)

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Back in the early 2000s, much of the volume of reverse mortgages in the U.S. was attributed to big banks, including Bank of America. Today, that landscape has changed.  Bank of America began in the reverse mortgage space through a small retail channel before ramping up its operations with the acquisition of Seattle Mortgage's reverse mortgage business in 2007. The...
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HUD to Require Second Appraisal on Some Reverse Mortgages (2025 Update)

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What’s New in 2025 — FHA Simplifies Second Appraisal Rules Updated March 2025 — HUD refined its second appraisal rules for reverse mortgages, removing the 2024 borrower-initiated appeal system and simplifying the review process. A second appraisal may still be required if the first appraisal contains material deficiencies that affect value. All FHA-insured reverse mortgages must continue to meet HUD’s...
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How to Use a Reverse Mortgage Repair Set-Aside

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Hello ARLO, My mom's house is in Martinsville, IN. During a healthy economy, the house was worth around $200,000. It requires some repair. Who pays for the appraisal to determine the home value? And are there arrangements where, if repairs are required as a condition of loan approval, the loan proceeds can be used to fund the repairs? In other...
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AAG – Nations #1 Reverse Mortgage Lender Sells Loan Portfolio

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For several years I had had borrowers tell me that this was the last-ditch pitch they received from a loan originator from a well-known competitor.  When that company could not match or beat the rate and fee structure, we offered the client their reverse mortgage transaction. They argued with the borrower that they should close a loan with their company...
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No Closing Cost Reverse Mortgage Options are BACK!

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Understanding No-Closing Cost Reverse Mortgages Reverse mortgages, like HUD’s Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), are often associated with high upfront fees, such as a 2% mortgage insurance premium based on the property value or lending limit (whichever is lower).  This reputation for high costs can deter potential borrowers.  However, no-closing cost reverse mortgages offer a more affordable alternative. How do...
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