Realtor.com: Reverse Mortgage Resurgence Is Possible

May 11, 2020

Director of Events

The reverse mortgage industry has been able to survive and in some instances thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent report from Realtor.com suggests that another resurgence in reverse mortgage interest could be on the way, especially with market volatility continuing to effect retirement accounts for those close to retirement.

"NRMLA data shows an uptick in consumers who've taken the initial step and completed the financial counseling needed to proceed with a reverse mortgage," according to the report.

Steve Irwin, president of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) says counseling sessions in the month of March were up 25% compared with the year before.

Irwin believes that as more folks decide to age in place, this number will increase. The report states that since the pandemic hit, nursing homes and assisted-care facilities have become less attractive options for seniors, leading more of them to stay put in their own homes.

"It’s a needs-based transaction. They need to augment their financial stability," Irwin explains, according to the report. "They need to augment whatever retirement funding they have in place, or they need to relieve themselves of the burden of monthly principal and interest payments of a regular mortgage. I think that we will see more and more the use of the reverse mortgage as part of a more comprehensive financial plan in retirement."

Click here to read more about Realtor.com's reverse mortgage predictions.

About the author

Navi Persaud

Director of Events

Navi Persaud is Director of Events at NMP.

Link copied

Published

May 11, 2020

Industry News

Newfi And Addy AI Announce Partnership

Newfi and Addy AI today announced a collaboration focused on the continued evolution of artificial intelligence in mortgage lending

Newfi and Addy AI today announced a collaboration focused on the continued evolution of artificial intelligence in mortgage lending.Newfi has built innovative lending products and a modern approach to the mortgage market. As the industry evolves, the company continues to exp...

Analysis and Data

Smaller Down Payments Give Buyers More Room, But Rates Limit The Savings

The typical down payment fell 9% from a year ago, while shifting market conditions are giving originators different affordability conversations across the country

Homebuyers are putting less money down than they were a year ago, another sign that increased inventory and greater negotiating room are changing the purchase market.The typical down payment fell to $27,100 in the second quarter of 2026, the lowest second-quarter dollar amou...

Nov

Houston, TX

More from

Reverse

The Untapped Retirement-Lending Opportunity Most LOs Miss

The first installment of NMP’s retirement-lending webinar series showed originators how financial and lifestyle cues can uncover needs that product-first conversations miss

Reverse

Sep 21, 2026

Finance Of America Gets More Reverse Production From The Same Sales Force

Retail funded-loan count rose 33% from the first quarter with stable sales capacity, while proprietary products gained traction by offering some borrowers more cash than HECMs

Reverse

Aug 11, 2026

Record Senior Equity Widens Reverse Mortgage Opportunity

Homeowners age 62 and older hold $14.92 trillion in housing wealth, but lenders still face the challenge of turning equity into production

Reverse

Jul 23, 2026

Finance of America Expands Reverse Mortgage Portfolio With $5.2B MSR Acquisition

Acquisition of approximately 20,000 HECM loans from Onity strengthens the company's servicing platform while establishing a three-year subservicing partnership

Reverse

Jul 02, 2026

Reverse Mortgage Borrowers Are Showing Up Too Late

GreenPath data suggests more seniors are arriving later in the financial cycle, limiting flexibility for loan structuring

Reverse

Apr 22, 2026

HECM Volume Rebounds In March But Signals Persisting Reverse Mortgage Slowdown

Endorsements rise month over month, but flat annual volume and growing proprietary competition reshape opportunity for LOs

Reverse

Apr 07, 2026

Popular