Rate Reverse  ·  Maryland & Nationwide

Your home equity is one of your most powerful retirement assets.

If you're 55 or older and own your home, I can show you exactly how much you may qualify for, in about five minutes, at no cost, with no obligation.

FHA-Insured HECM Specialist
NMLS #1783038
No monthly payments required
Micah Greenberg, Reverse Mortgage Specialist
FHA HECM and Proprietary Jumbo products
No monthly mortgage payments required
You keep ownership of your home
Free estimate, no obligation
Complex files welcome

What is a Reverse Mortgage?

A reverse mortgage, specifically an FHA-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), is a loan designed for homeowners 62 and older that lets you convert a portion of your home's equity into cash without selling your home or making monthly mortgage payments.

Unlike a traditional mortgage where you pay the lender each month, a reverse mortgage pays you. You receive funds based on your age, home value, and current interest rates. The loan doesn't come due until you sell the home, move out permanently, or pass away.

You remain the owner of your home. You stay on the title. A reverse mortgage is simply a loan secured by your home, and it comes with some of the strongest consumer protections in the mortgage industry.

You keep your home

You remain the owner and stay on the title. You can't be forced out as long as you meet the loan terms.

💰

No monthly mortgage payments

The loan doesn't require monthly principal and interest payments. You still pay taxes, insurance, and maintenance.

🛡️

Non-recourse loan

You or your heirs will never owe more than the home is worth when the loan is repaid, ever.

At a glance

62+Minimum age to qualify
50%+Approximate equity typically needed
$0Required monthly mortgage payment

Find out how much you may qualify for

Run my free estimate
The Bottom Line
You spent decades building equity in this home. A reverse mortgage lets you finally use it.
Get My Free Estimate

How Do You Qualify?

To qualify for a HECM reverse mortgage, you need to meet a few key requirements. Most homeowners over 62 with significant equity are surprised by how straightforward the qualifications are.

01   Age

62+ for HECM, 55+ for Jumbo

FHA HECMs require at least one borrower to be 62 or older. Proprietary jumbo products are available starting at age 55 in eligible states. The older you are, the more equity you may access.

02   Primary Residence

Your primary home

The property must be your primary residence. Second homes and investment properties do not qualify for a HECM.

03   Home Equity

Sufficient equity

Most borrowers need approximately 60% or more equity in their home. The amount you can access depends on your age and current rates.

04   Property Type

Eligible property

Single-family homes, FHA-approved condominiums, and certain multi-unit properties (owner-occupied) are eligible.

05   Financial Assessment

Ability to maintain costs

You must demonstrate the financial ability to continue paying property taxes, homeowner's insurance, and home maintenance costs.

06   HUD Counseling

Required counseling

A brief session with an independent, HUD-approved counselor is required before applying. I help you schedule this and prepare.

What to Expect, Step by Step

I walk every client through this process personally. No call centers. No handoffs. Just clear, direct communication from start to close.

1

Free scenario review

I run a quick estimate based on your age, home value, and current rates. In about five minutes you'll know exactly what you may qualify for. No commitment required.

2

HUD-approved counseling

Federal law requires a session with an independent HUD-approved counselor before the appraisal is ordered. This consumer protection ensures you fully understand your options, obligations, and rights. I help you schedule this early so it never slows your file down.

3

Application

I walk you through the application, explain your available funds and payout options, and answer every question you have, no matter how many times you ask.

4

Appraisal & underwriting

Your home is appraised to confirm its value. I coordinate with underwriting to navigate any complexities, trust structures, divorce situations, title issues, and keep the file moving.

5

Closing & funding

You sign the final documents and confirm how you'd like to receive your funds. After a three-day right of rescission, funds are disbursed. Most purchases fund the same day as closing.

Disbursement Options

One of the most overlooked features of a reverse mortgage is the flexibility in how you receive your funds. You can choose one option or combine them.

💵

Lump Sum

Receive all available funds at once at closing. Ideal for paying off an existing mortgage, covering a large expense, or eliminating high-interest debt. Fixed interest rate.

📅

Monthly Payments

Receive fixed monthly payments for a set term or for as long as you live in the home. Works like a supplemental income stream to cover living expenses.

📈

Line of Credit

Access funds as needed. The most powerful option for many borrowers, any unused portion of your credit line grows over time, giving you more to draw from in the future.

You can also combine options, for example, taking an upfront lump sum and keeping the remainder as a growing line of credit.

High-Value Homes and Borrowers Starting at 55

FHA-insured HECMs are not the only option. Proprietary jumbo reverse mortgage products are available for homeowners with higher-value properties, or for borrowers as young as 55 in eligible states.

Who this is for

Higher home values. More equity access.

If your home is valued above the FHA HECM lending limit, a proprietary jumbo reverse mortgage may allow you to access significantly more of your equity than a standard HECM would permit.

These are private loan products not insured by FHA, offered by select lenders. They follow their own guidelines and are available in most, but not all, states.

Loan limits up to $4,000,000
Compared to the 2026 FHA HECM limit of $1,249,125
Age eligibility

Available starting at age 55 in eligible states.

Unlike FHA HECMs, which require borrowers to be at least 62, some proprietary products are available to homeowners as young as 55 in states where the product is approved.

This opens the door for earlier retirement planning, allowing younger homeowners with significant equity to begin accessing their home wealth before traditional HECM eligibility.

Not available in all states
Availability varies by product and state. Contact me to confirm eligibility in your area.
Min. Age
55+
In eligible states
Max Loan
$4M
vs. $1.25M HECM limit
FHA Insured?
No
Private product, own guidelines
Monthly Payment
$0
Required on most products

Proprietary reverse mortgage products are not affiliated with or endorsed by HUD or FHA. Product availability, eligibility, and terms vary by state and lender. Contact me to discuss what is available in your area.

Built-In Safeguards

FHA-insured HECMs come with some of the strongest consumer protections of any mortgage product. Here's what's built in for you.

Mandatory independent counseling

Before you can apply, a HUD-approved counselor, independent from me and Rate, must review the loan with you and confirm you understand your options and obligations.

Non-recourse protection

You and your heirs will never owe more than the appraised value of the home when the loan is repaid. If the loan balance exceeds the home's value, FHA insurance covers the difference.

Three-day right of rescission

After closing, you have three business days to cancel the loan for any reason with no penalty. This doesn't apply to HECM for Purchase transactions.

Non-borrowing spouse protections

Eligible non-borrowing spouses may remain in the home after the borrowing spouse passes away, as long as they continue to meet the loan obligations.

FHA mortgage insurance

Every HECM carries FHA mortgage insurance, which protects both you and your heirs. It ensures the loan remains available even if the lender goes out of business.

Regulated fees and costs

HUD caps origination fees and regulates what can be charged. There are no prepayment penalties. You can pay down or pay off the loan at any time.

Find your situation

Every borrower comes to me with a different goal. Click your scenario below to see a detailed breakdown with a real calculation example.

🏠

Eliminate my mortgage payment

Still carrying a mortgage? Pay it off at closing and stop making monthly payments.

How this works

The reverse mortgage pays off your existing loan balance at closing, just like a refinance. Your old monthly payment disappears. No required principal or interest payment going forward for as long as you live in the home.

Any funds remaining after the payoff can come to you as a lump sum or line of credit.

  • Existing mortgage paid off in full at closing
  • No required monthly mortgage payment
  • You keep full ownership of the home
  • Remaining equity stays yours or goes to heirs
  • You still pay taxes, insurance, and maintenance
Get my free estimate →

Example calculation

Home value$480,000
Borrower age70
Existing mortgage balance$145,000
Estimated available funds~$195,000
Mortgage paid off at closing✓ Yes
Remaining funds to borrower~$50,000
Required monthly payment$0
Example uses a 70-year-old for illustrative purposes only. Actual amounts vary. Not a commitment to lend.
🔑

Buy a new home without a monthly mortgage payment

Purchase your next home using a down payment + reverse mortgage proceeds. Keep your savings. No monthly payment.

How this works

A HECM for Purchase lets you buy a new primary residence using a portion of your own funds as a down payment, the reverse mortgage covers the rest. No monthly mortgage payment required on the new home.

Most commonly used by people selling their current home and buying something more suitable for retirement without depleting all their proceeds.

  • Buy with a larger down payment, smaller cash outlay, or both
  • No monthly mortgage payment on the new home
  • Keep more cash in savings for retirement
  • Must become your primary residence
  • Available for single-family and FHA-approved condos
Get my free estimate →

Example calculation

Purchase price$420,000
Borrower age72
HECM proceeds cover~$220,000
Required down payment~$200,000
vs. paying all cashSave ~$220,000
Monthly mortgage payment$0
Example uses a 72-year-old for illustrative purposes only. Actual amounts vary. Not a commitment to lend.
💰

Access cash for healthcare, repairs, or expenses

Healthcare. Home repairs. Helping family. Access your equity without selling your home or making payments.

How this works

If your equity is sitting untapped, a reverse mortgage can convert it into accessible cash, as a lump sum for a specific need, or a line of credit you draw from when necessary. The proceeds are generally not taxable income.

You're not borrowing against your future, you're accessing equity you've already built. No monthly payment required.

  • Home repairs and accessibility modifications
  • Healthcare and long-term care costs
  • Paying off high-interest credit card debt
  • Helping family members financially
  • Supplementing fixed retirement income
Get my free estimate →

Example calculation

Home value$520,000
Existing mortgage$0 (paid off)
Borrower age68
Estimated available funds~$240,000
Taken as lump sum$80,000
Remaining line of credit~$160,000
Monthly payment required$0
Example uses a 68-year-old with a paid-off home for illustrative purposes only. Actual amounts vary. Not a commitment to lend.
📈

Build a growing retirement safety net (line of credit)

A credit line that grows every year, whether you use it or not. The most underused retirement planning tool available.

How this works

The HECM line of credit is unlike any other credit line. The unused portion grows at the loan's interest rate plus the MIP rate, meaning the longer you wait to draw from it, the more you'll have available.

It cannot be frozen or reduced by the lender. Many financial planners now recommend establishing it early in retirement, even if you don't need it, as a growing hedge against future expenses.

  • Unused funds grow year after year
  • Cannot be frozen or cancelled by the lender
  • Draw only what you need, when you need it
  • No monthly payment on amounts drawn
  • Works as a buffer against sequence-of-returns risk
Get my free estimate →

Growth illustration (6% rate)

Line of credit at age 68$150,000
Year 3 (age 71)~$180,000
Year 5 (age 73)~$201,000
Year 10 (age 78)~$269,000
Lender can freeze it?No
Monthly payment if unused$0
For visual and illustrative purposes only. Growth rate equals the loan interest rate plus MIP rate, which varies at time of origination. Assumes 6% for illustration only. Not a commitment to lend.
📊

I work with seniors and want to connect them with the right resources

You don't need to know the product. Just send me the scenario. I handle everything, your client gets taken care of.

How the referral works

Send me the scenario, age, home value, approximate equity, and what the client is trying to solve. I'll tell you in five minutes if a reverse mortgage makes sense. I handle all education, qualification, and the close. I handle everything from there.

You are not originating the loan. Your role is referring a client to a licensed specialist. Compliance is clean and straightforward.

  • No product knowledge required on your end
  • I handle education, counseling, application, and close
  • Complex files, trust structures, divorce, title issues, are my specialty
  • Easy handoff, I take it from there
  • Five-minute scenario review, no commitment
Send me a scenario →

Why this conversation matters

Avg. equity, homeowners 62+$300,000+
Plans incorporating home equity<10%
HECM LOC, lender can freeze?No
Proceeds affect SS or Medicare?Generally no
Proceeds taxable?Generally no
Work required from youSend the scenario
Statistics are approximate and for illustrative purposes only. Individual tax situations vary. Consult a qualified tax advisor regarding your specific circumstances.

Two Paths, One Specialist

Whether you're a homeowner exploring your options or a professional looking to better serve your clients, I work with both.

Homeowners 62+

You've built this equity. Let's put it to work.

If you own your home and you're 62 or older, there's a good chance you're sitting on a six-figure asset you're not using. I'll show you the real numbers in about five minutes, no cost, no pressure, no obligation.

  • Eliminate your existing mortgage payment
  • Access funds for healthcare, home repairs, or family
  • Create a growing line of credit for retirement
  • Purchase a new home without monthly mortgage payments
  • Stay in your home on your terms
Get My Free Estimate
Professionals Who Serve Seniors

The people you serve deserve this option.

If you work with adults 62 or older, as a financial planner, real estate agent, elder law attorney, Medicare broker, home health professional, or any other trusted advisor, there's a good chance some of your clients have untapped home equity that could change their retirement. I make it easy to connect them with the right information.

  • Financial planners and wealth advisors
  • Real estate agents working with 60+ buyers and sellers
  • Elder law and estate planning attorneys
  • Medicare, insurance, and benefits brokers
  • Home health agencies and senior care coordinators
  • CPAs and tax professionals serving retirees
Start the Conversation
No monthly payments
Required on your home loan
Stay in your home
You keep the title and ownership
Access your equity
Lump sum, credit line, or monthly

Frequently Asked Questions

These are the questions I get most often. If something isn't covered here, just reach out directly.

Yes. You remain the owner and stay on the title throughout the life of the loan. The lender places a lien on the property, just like with a traditional mortgage, to ensure repayment. You cannot be forced out of your home as long as you meet the loan obligations: paying property taxes, homeowner's insurance, and maintaining the property.
A reverse mortgage is a non-recourse loan. When the loan becomes due, typically when the home is sold or the last borrower passes away, your heirs can sell the home to repay the loan. If the home sells for more than the loan balance, the remaining equity goes to them. If the home is worth less than what's owed, FHA insurance covers the difference. Your heirs will never owe more than the home is worth.
Reverse mortgage proceeds are not considered income, so they generally do not affect Social Security or Medicare benefits. However, if you receive Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you should consult with a financial advisor, as holding large cash balances could affect those means-tested benefits.
You can still qualify. A reverse mortgage can be used to pay off your existing mortgage balance, in fact, eliminating an existing monthly payment is one of the most common reasons people use a reverse mortgage. You just need sufficient equity remaining after paying off the balance.
The modern HECM is a very different product from what existed 20 years ago. Mandatory independent counseling, non-recourse protections, regulated fees, and FHA insurance are all built-in safeguards. The primary obligation on the borrower is to stay current on property taxes, insurance, and home maintenance, the same responsibilities you have with any home ownership.
Yes. A HECM for Purchase allows you to buy a new primary residence using a combination of your own funds and the reverse mortgage proceeds, without making monthly mortgage payments on the new home. This is a powerful option for people looking to downsize, relocate, or move closer to family.
If you choose the line of credit option, the unused portion of your available funds grows at the same rate as the loan's interest rate plus the MIP rate. This means the longer you wait to draw from it, the more you'll have available. It's one of the most underappreciated features of the HECM, a built-in, growing safety net for retirement.
Micah Greenberg

I specialize in the files others find too complex.

Micah Greenberg  ·  NMLS #1783038  ·  Rate Reverse at Guaranteed Rate

"If you have anyone over 62, just send me the scenario. I'll tell you in five minutes if I can help."

I'm a reverse mortgage loan officer and branch manager at Rate Reverse, a division of Guaranteed Rate. I work remotely and serve clients in Maryland and across the country.

I focus exclusively on reverse mortgages. That means I've navigated trust structures, divorce situations, lis pendens, high-value properties, and nearly every other complication that can come up on a file. I know how to keep things moving and how to communicate clearly throughout the process.

What I hear most from clients is that I explained the product simply and honestly, and never made them feel pressured. That's not an accident, it's how I work. I believe educated borrowers make better decisions, and better decisions lead to better outcomes for everyone.

For referral partners: I'm easy to work with, I handle everything on the file, and I keep you informed without creating extra work for you. The reverse mortgage conversation doesn't have to be complicated, I make it easy to send the scenario over.

HECM Specialist Rate Reverse Branch Manager Complex Files Professional Referrals
NMLS #1783038  ·  Rate Reverse at Guaranteed Rate  ·  Equal Housing Lender

Let's Find Out What You Qualify For

No cost, no obligation. Fill out the form and I'll be in touch personally, not a call center, within one business day.

Request a Free Estimate

I'll review your scenario and respond personally.

I respond personally, not a call center.

When you reach out, you're talking to me. I'll review your scenario and get back to you within one business day with a real answer, not a sales pitch.

📞
Phone
443-506-9654
📧
Email
micah.greenberg@rate.com
📍
Location
Maryland (serving clients nationwide)
🏢
Company
Rate Reverse at Guaranteed Rate

Professionals Who Serve Seniors

If someone you work with might benefit from a reverse mortgage, I'm happy to have an educational conversation with them. No commitment, no pressure, just real information they can act on.