Podcast
Reverse Mortgage News & Insights from HECMWorld
Hosted by HECMWorld · EN
Get the latest news, commentary and insights for the US reverse mortgage and property finance industries.
Founded by Shannon Hicks and now hosted by Gabrielle Hayen, HECM World Weekly is the nation’s longest-running weekly podcast, trusted by reverse mortgage professionals for news, insights and trends on the reverse and wider mortgage industry, property equity, wealth and retirement and much more. Brought to you by Lenderful Solutions.
Each week we also bring you Industry Leader Insights, where top industry influencers share what's happening at the cutting edge of the mortgage industry, and Food For Thought, our segment focused on professional and personal development for mortgage professionals.
This podcast is brought to you by HECM World, the leading independent media platform for the reverse mortgage industry in the United States.
Find out more and join our community of 6000+ industry leaders at https://hecmworld.com
For business inquiries, contact info@hecmworld.com
HECM World is owned and operated by Reverse Focus, a technology and marketing company that has supporting the reverse mortgage industry with full service digital marketing solutions since 2006. Find out more at https://reversefocus.com
21episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
HECM World Weekly, EP943: From Debt Relief To Healthy Years, Home Equity Takes On A Bigger Role
2d ago00:19:33Tap to summarizeThis week on HECM World Weekly, we look at how America’s housing wealth is holding firm—but the way homeowners are using it is changing. July’s HECM endorsement volume remained relatively subdued, while Finance of America reported strong year-over-year growth across its retirement solutions business. We also examine Rocket Mortgage’s new campaign positioning home equity as a potential alternative to high-interest credit-card debt. Plus, new Bankrate research raises questions about whether older refinancing borrowers are paying more than they should, home prices continue to rise across most metropolitan markets, and families inheriting homes report growing difficulties retaining valuable low-rate mortgages. Finally, new retirement research reveals that many Americans are more worried about running out of healthy years than running out of money—and what that could mean for the role of housing wealth in retirement planning. In this episode: July’s latest HECM lender results Finance of America’s 21% funded-volume growth Rocket’s push to bring home equity into the mainstream Bankrate’s proposed refinance “seniority tax” The growing divide between local housing markets Mortgage complications within the Great Wealth Transfer Why retirees are rethinking the value of time, health and money For more reverse mortgage news, analysis, research and industry insights, visit HECMWorld.com and subscribe on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Transcribe →Food For Thought: What really builds a successful mortgage career?
4d ago00:03:40Tap to summarizeIn this Food For Thought episode, Jesse Allen, President of 55 Plus Lending at Rate, shares the lessons he's learned after more than 30 years in banking, financial services and mortgage lending—and after helping hundreds of mortgage professionals build successful careers. Rather than focusing on compensation alone, Jesse explains why lasting success comes from choosing the right platform, the right culture and the right leadership. Built around his simple framework of Focus, Systems and Discipline, this conversation offers practical advice for loan officers, mortgage leaders and anyone evaluating their next career move. In this episode you'll discover: Why compensation alone shouldn't drive your career decisions • The importance of aligning your purpose with your company's mission • How great systems help professionals deliver a better client experience • Why discipline and continuous improvement create long-term success • The role leadership and culture play in building high-performing teams • What to look for when evaluating a mortgage company or platform Whether you're an experienced originator or just starting your mortgage career, these principles provide a valuable framework for building something that lasts. https://hecmworld.com/2026/08/05/food-for-thought-what-really-builds-a-successful-mortgage-career/ Subscribe to HECM World for more expert insights from the leaders shaping the future of reverse mortgages and home equity finance.
Transcribe →Industry Leader Insights: Senior Housing Equity Is At Record Highs. So Why Haven't Reverse Mortgages Taken Off?
6d ago00:19:25Tap to summarizeIn this Industry Leader Insights episode, HECM World sits down with John Lunde, Founder and President of Reverse Market Insight (RMI), to explore one of the biggest questions facing the industry today. Drawing on more than 20 years of reverse mortgage market data, John shares his perspective on the trends that have shaped the industry, why record senior housing equity hasn't translated into record reverse mortgage volume, and what lenders, loan officers and business leaders need to do differently to unlock the opportunity ahead. In this episode you'll discover: Why reverse mortgage originations remain well below their historic peak • The surprising disconnect between record housing equity and industry growth • How proprietary reverse mortgages are reshaping the market • The biggest mistakes professionals make when interpreting market data • Why education inside the mortgage industry remains the biggest growth opportunity • How technology, data and integrated systems will define the next generation of reverse mortgage businesses • What successful lenders do differently when building local market expertise Whether you're a reverse mortgage professional, lender, broker, executive or industry partner, this conversation provides valuable insights into where the market has been—and where it's heading next. https://hecmworld.com/2026/08/03/industry-leader-insights-senior-housing-equity-is-at-record-highs-so-why-havent-reverse-mortgages-taken-off/ Subscribe to HECM World for the latest reverse mortgage news, expert interviews and industry insights from across the United States.
Transcribe →HECM World Weekly, EP942: Fed Holds Rates As Inflation Pressure Builds, While Housing Equity Tells A More Complicated Story
1w ago00:14:34Tap to summarizeThe Federal Reserve has held interest rates steady, but growing inflation concerns could keep mortgage rates higher for longer — adding another layer of complexity for older homeowners and the reverse mortgage industry. In this week's HECM World Weekly, we look beyond the headlines to unpack what the latest economic, housing and retirement data really means for the industry. We cover: Why the Fed held rates despite growing pressure to act on inflation Home prices reaching another record — while actually falling in real terms Why stagnant homeownership and extremely low homeowner vacancy matter for aging in place The rapid growth of proprietary reverse mortgages — and why unit counts only tell part of the story Why HECM dollar volume presents a stronger picture than originations alone New research showing older Americans becoming more defensive about retirement Why liquidity, resilience and downside protection could become increasingly important to reverse mortgage conversations Older Americans continue to hold extraordinary levels of housing wealth. But with inflation, higher rates and retirement uncertainty changing the financial landscape, how that equity is used — and the products available to access it — is becoming increasingly important. For more reverse mortgage news, research and industry insights, visit HECM World. https://hecmworld.com/2026/07/31/hecm-world-weekly-fed-holds-rates-as-inflation-pressure-builds-while-housing-equity-tells-a-more-complicated-story
Transcribe →Food For Thought: As AI Reshapes Reverse Mortgages, Emotional Intelligence Becomes the Advantage
2w ago00:13:09Tap to summarizeBorrowers are already using artificial intelligence to compare reverse mortgage options and double-check the recommendations they receive from loan officers. Should reverse mortgage professionals be worried? Christina Harmes, CRMP, says no—but their value is changing. After several prospects used AI to analyze the loan scenarios she presented, Christina discovered that the technology largely confirmed her recommendations and increased the borrowers’ trust. The experience also highlighted something AI cannot easily replace: emotional intelligence. A reverse mortgage decision is rarely just about rates, proceeds or loan structure. Homeowners may also be worried about their independence, family, legacy, long-term security or whether using home equity means they have somehow failed. In this edition of Food for Thought, Christina explains how reverse mortgage professionals can combine technical expertise with empathy, active listening and trust. You’ll learn: How consumers are using AI to research reverse mortgages • Why the professional-consumer knowledge gap is shrinking • How to recognize the real question behind a borrower’s words • Why listening before offering a solution builds trust • How box breathing can improve stressful client conversations • Why emotional intelligence may offer “job insurance” in the age of AI AI can do the math. The competitive advantage is understanding the person behind the numbers. Subscribe to HECM World for reverse mortgage news, insights and professional strategies. https://hecmworld.com/2026/07/29/food-for-thought-as-ai-reshapes-reverse-mortgages-emotional-intelligence-becomes-the-advantage/
Transcribe →Industry Leader Insights: Data Points to a Massive Long-Term Opportunity for Reverse Mortgages - With Aaron Wagner from ATTOM
2w ago00:16:45Tap to summarizeIs the reverse mortgage industry’s biggest opportunity still ahead? According to ATTOM’s Head of Data Science, Aaron Wagner, the data says yes. In Part Two of this Industry Leader Insights series, Andrew Montesi sits down with Aaron to explore the future of housing equity, the biggest forces shaping property wealth over the next five years, and why America’s enormous equity base continues to support a strong long-term outlook for reverse mortgages. Aaron explains why tenure-driven equity, built through decades of homeownership, is fundamentally different from appreciation-driven equity, why housing supply may be the most underestimated force supporting home values, and how AI is transforming the future of property intelligence. In this episode: • Has America reached peak housing equity? • Why the reverse mortgage opportunity remains exceptionally strong • The difference between tenure-driven and appreciation-driven equity • The biggest drivers of housing wealth over the next five years • Which regions are best positioned for future equity growth • Why housing supply may be the market’s most underestimated force • How AI is changing the way property data is analysed and accessed If you work in the reverse mortgage industry, understanding where housing equity is heading, and why, has never been more important. 🌐 Read the article: https://hecmworld.com/2026/07/27/industry-leader-insights-data-points-to-a-massive-long-term-opportunity-for-reverse-mortgages/
Transcribe →HECM World Weekly, EP941: Record Senior Housing Equity, Healthcare Costs Rise & The Future of Housing Wealth
2w ago00:12:43Tap to summarizeSenior housing equity has reached another record, but that's only part of this week's story. In this episode of HECM World Weekly, we unpack the biggest developments shaping the reverse mortgage, housing equity and retirement industries, including: Senior housing equity climbs to a record $14.92 trillion • Exclusive ATTOM insights into where America's deepest housing equity is really being built • California's growing home equity tax problem • Tennessee's first real-world success story following expanded access to proprietary reverse mortgages • Fidelity says retiree healthcare costs have risen another 7.5% • Housing affordability emerges as America's top political issue for younger voters • Why the World Economic Forum says we need to rethink housing • And the debate over whether housing is still the best long-term investment. Whether you're a reverse mortgage professional, lender, financial planner or housing industry leader, this episode brings together the week's most important news and explains what it means for the future of housing equity. Read the full article: https://hecmworld.com/2026/07/24/hecm-world-weekly-record-senior-housing-equity-rising-retirement-costs-and-a-bigger-conversation-about-housing/ Subscribe for weekly news, expert interviews and insights from across the U.S. housing equity and reverse mortgage industry.
Transcribe →Food For Thought: Reverse Mortgage Professionals Don't Need More Hours, They Need Better Systems, Says Industry Mentor
3w ago00:09:16Tap to summarizeMost mortgage professionals think they need more hours in the day. Jason Back says they're solving the wrong problem. In this week's Food For Thought, the founder of Broker Essentials explains why productivity isn't about working harder—it's about removing the inefficiencies that quietly limit growth. Jason shares his practical Productivity Pyramid, warns against the "comfort trap" that catches successful loan officers, explores how AI should be used to eliminate low-value work, and outlines five practical levers to build a more efficient, scalable mortgage business. Whether you're looking to improve your workflows, strengthen referral relationships or create more capacity without burning out, this episode offers practical strategies you can implement immediately. In this episode: Why productivity and efficiency are not the same thing The Productivity Pyramid and where top performers spend their time How to avoid the "comfort trap" Using AI to remove inefficiency—not replace relationships Jason Back's five practical productivity levers for mortgage professionals Watch now and discover why your next level of growth may not require more effort—just better systems. Read the full article on hecmworld.com: https://hecmworld.com/2026/07/22/food-for-thought-reverse-mortgage-professionals-dont-need-more-hours-they-need-better-systems-says-industry-mentor/
Transcribe →Industry Leader Insights: Housing Equity Is Easing, But The Bigger Story Is What Lies Beneath - With Aaron Wagner from ATTOM
3w ago00:12:45Tap to summarizeHousing equity remains one of the biggest drivers of opportunity for the reverse mortgage industry—but are the headlines telling the full story? In Part One of this Industry Leader Insights series, HECM World’s Andrew Montesi sits down with Aaron Wagner, Head of Data Science at ATTOM, to look beyond the latest housing equity headlines and explore what the data is really saying. Aaron explains why today’s moderation in home equity is better viewed as market normalization, why the Midwest has become one of America’s strongest equity regions, and how reverse mortgage professionals should think differently about housing and property data. In this episode: • Why housing equity is moderating, but remains historically strong • What “equity rich” actually means and how ATTOM measures it • Why Florida, Arizona and other pandemic boom markets are cooling • Why the Midwest is now home to many of America’s most equity-rich counties • How reverse mortgage professionals can use local property data to uncover opportunities If you work in the reverse mortgage industry, housing market intelligence has never been more important. ▶️ Next week in Part Two: We look ahead to the future of housing equity, the biggest drivers of property wealth over the next five years, the role of AI in property intelligence, and why ATTOM believes the long-term opportunity for the reverse mortgage industry remains incredibly strong. 🌐 Read the article: https://hecmworld.com/2026/07/20/industry-leader-insights-housing-equity-is-easing-but-the-bigger-story-is-what-lies-beneath/
Transcribe →HECM World Weekly, EP940: Inflation Cools, Social Security To Rise And The NYT Declares A Retirement Crisis
3w ago00:11:08Tap to summarizeCooling inflation, a stronger Social Security outlook, new retirement research and a surprising New York Times opinion piece all point to one conclusion: housing wealth is becoming one of the most important forces shaping retirement in America. This week on HECM World Weekly, Gabrielle Hayen breaks down the biggest stories affecting the reverse mortgage, mortgage, housing and retirement industries. This week's headlines include: Inflation cools, easing pressure on mortgage rates and reducing expectations of another Fed rate hike. • AARP projects one of the largest Social Security COLAs in years—but will it be enough? • New research finds nearly half of Americans don't expect to fully retire. • The Great Wealth Transfer is already underway, with families sharing wealth earlier than ever. • A major study reinforces the benefits of investing in aging in place. • And why a new New York Times opinion piece argues America's housing crisis is really a retirement crisis. Together, these stories highlight a broader trend: home equity and housing wealth are becoming increasingly central to retirement planning. Read the full HECM World Weekly article: https://hecmworld.com/2026/07/17/hecm-world-weekly-inflation-cools-social-security-to-rise-and-the-nyt-declares-a-retirement-crisis/ If you enjoyed this episode, check out hecmworld.com and subscribe for weekly analysis covering reverse mortgages, retirement finance, housing, mortgage markets and home equity.
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