Reverse Mortgage · HECM · Age 62+

Turn your home equity into income — without a monthly mortgage payment.

A reverse mortgage, or HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage), lets eligible homeowners age 62 and older convert home equity into cash — while continuing to live in the home. It's insured by the FHA and requires mandatory, independent counseling before you can apply.

62+
Minimum age
FHA
Insured program
Required
HUD counseling
Already spoken with a counselor?

If you've completed your HUD counseling session, or you're actively working through it, Trevor can pick up right where you left off and walk through your specific numbers.

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The basics

How a reverse mortgage actually works.

With a traditional mortgage, you borrow money and make monthly payments to the lender. A reverse mortgage flips that: the lender makes payments to you (or gives you a line of credit, or a lump sum) based on your home's equity, and you don't make monthly principal and interest payments as long as you live in the home, keep it as your primary residence, and stay current on property taxes, insurance, and basic upkeep.

The loan becomes due when the last remaining borrower sells the home, permanently moves out, or passes away. At that point, the home is typically sold to repay the loan — any remaining equity belongs to you or your heirs, and HECM loans are non-recourse, meaning you or your heirs will never owe more than the home is worth at the time it's repaid.

Who it's generally for
Homeowners age 62+ who own their home outright or have significant equity, plan to stay in the home long-term, and want to supplement income or cover expenses without taking on a monthly payment.
What it's commonly used for
Supplementing retirement income, covering healthcare or long-term care costs, home repairs and modifications, or paying off an existing mortgage to eliminate the monthly payment.
Eligibility factors

What determines how much you may access.

How much equity you may be able to access depends on several factors reviewed during the application process — your age (older borrowers can generally access more), your home's appraised value, current interest rates, and the specific loan program. There's no single number that applies to every homeowner, which is exactly why the mandatory counseling session and a personal review of your numbers both matter before you decide anything.

Required before you apply

HUD-required counseling comes first.

Before any reverse mortgage application can move forward, federal law requires you to complete an independent counseling session with a HUD-approved counselor — and Tennessee has its own Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Act layered on top of the federal rules, specifically to make sure Tennessee seniors work with vetted, HUD-approved lenders and get this counseling before committing to anything.

The counselor doesn't work for Trevor, for NEXA Mortgage, or for any lender — their job is to walk through how the loan works, the costs and risks, and the alternatives, with no pressure toward any particular product. Most sessions are done by phone, take about an hour, and end with a certificate that's valid for 180 days. Tennessee does not require in-person counseling, so this can typically be done from home.

Need help locating a counselor?

Call us for a recommendation. Trevor can point you to a HUD-approved reverse mortgage counselor serving Tennessee — including phone-based options that satisfy the requirement without needing to travel anywhere. If you'd rather search yourself first, HUD's national counselor line and locator tool are below.

HUD's official counselor search is also available directly at hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/hcc/hcc_home. Counseling fees, when charged, are typically set by the counseling agency, not by Trevor or NEXA Mortgage.

What happens next

From counseling to closing.

01
Complete HUD counseling. Your independent counselor walks through how the program works, costs, risks, and alternatives.
02
Submit your application. Basic information about you and your home, plus your counseling certificate.
03
Financial assessment. Trevor reviews your ability to keep up with property taxes, insurance, and maintenance going forward.
04
Appraisal. An FHA-approved appraiser confirms your home's value and that it meets property standards.
05
Disclosures and closing. You'll receive required loan disclosures at least three days before closing, by federal law.
FAQ

Reverse mortgage questions answered.

Do I still own my home with a reverse mortgage?
Yes. You retain the title and ownership of your home. You're still responsible for property taxes, homeowners insurance, and basic upkeep, and you must continue living in the home as your primary residence.
Can I lose my home with a reverse mortgage?
A reverse mortgage can become due if you fail to pay property taxes or insurance, fail to maintain the home, or no longer use it as your primary residence. Staying current on these obligations is central to how the loan works, which is exactly what your HUD counseling session will cover in detail.
Will my heirs owe money if the home is worth less than the loan balance?
No. HECM loans are non-recourse — your heirs will never owe more than the home is worth when the loan is repaid, regardless of the loan balance.
Is the counseling session really required, or optional?
It's required by federal law before any HECM application can proceed, and Tennessee's own HECM Act reinforces this requirement at the state level. There's no way around this step, and a legitimate lender won't try to skip it.
Does a reverse mortgage affect Social Security or Medicare?
Generally, reverse mortgage proceeds don't affect Social Security or Medicare, since those aren't needs-based programs. Need-based programs like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can be affected, depending on how funds are used and held — this is exactly the kind of question your HUD counselor and a financial advisor can help you think through.
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Ready to see where you stand?

Whether you're just starting to explore reverse mortgages or you've already completed HUD counseling, Trevor reviews your situation personally — no automated emails, no sales pressure.

No obligation · No hard sell · Just clarity on what's possible for you.