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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.
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Author Archives

Why Appraisers Use the Sales Comparison Approach, Not Zillow — Reverse Mortgage Appraisal Rules

    2 comments
Here is where Appraisals are not updated and correct. Zillow and others use sales per sq ft for cookie-cutter homes. They omit custom built homes in comparable homes because of lack of construction knowledge and insurance coverage? Costs of replacement coverage and appraisals would place a 5000 sq ft total home cost at $800,000-min w/o lot? Go Figure how you...
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6 Questions to Ask Your Reverse Mortgage Loan Officer

    6 comments
You've decided to pursue a reverse mortgage, and now you're meeting with a loan officer for the first time. Although you may understand the basics of a reverse mortgage, it's a good idea to bring certain questions to your first meeting to clarify any details that could potentially catch you off guard in the future. [arlo_toc] Here are 6 questions...
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Reverse Mortgage Credit Requirements 2026 — No Minimum Score, HUD Payment History Rules

    72 comments
Updated: 12/24/2025 Qualifying for a reverse mortgage involves more than just your home's equity — it also includes a review of your credit history. In 2026, lenders will focus on factors like payment history and satisfactory credit to determine eligibility. In this guide, we'll walk you through the credit qualifications for a reverse mortgage, highlighting the criteria underwriters evaluate during...
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Reverse Mortgage LESA (Life Expectancy Set-Aside) — How It Works, Growth Rate & FAQs

    55 comments
A key development in the overhaul of HECM guidelines was the introduction of the LESA. This requirement is a response to past challenges where borrowers, after receiving a lump-sum equity payment, struggled to meet essential obligations such as homeowners insurance, property taxes, and home maintenance to FHA standards, leading to defaults. The LESA is designed to ensure that property charges...
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Is a Reverse Mortgage Right for You? 3 Key Considerations

    8 comments
Like many of our readers who are navigating retirement, you might wonder if a reverse mortgage is right for you.  You've likely seen your equity grow substantially, possibly even owning your home outright - a common scenario for many baby boomers. Your home, often your largest asset, may lead you to consider the option of a reverse mortgage.  At All...
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5 Ways To Lose Your Home With a Reverse Mortgage

    35 comments
With a federally insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), the borrower retains ownership of the property while continuing to live there throughout the loan. They are not required to make monthly mortgage payments during that time. Reverse mortgages are often misunderstood, and a common misperception is the idea that in a reverse mortgage, "the bank takes the home." On the...
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Reverse Mortgage Amortization Schedule — How Your Loan Balance, Interest & Equity Change Over Time

    6 comments
Before you decide if a reverse mortgage fits your needs, it's smart to look at how the loan could grow and how your home equity might change over time.  One of the best tools for this is the reverse mortgage amortization schedule. This schedule shows a year-by-year estimate of your loan balance.  This interest will be added, any available credit...
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