2021’s Meager Social Security COLA Increases Financial Strain on Retirees

2021’s Meager Social Security COLA Increases Financial Strain on Retirees
Think about how much a couple of pizzas runs these days. Probably about $20. As long as you don’t order extra toppings. That’s the same amount the Social Security Administration will raise its monthly stipend for beneficiaries beginning in January 2021. It’s the annual Cost of Living Adjustment, or COLA. And if you’re thinking it
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3 Ways to Fund (Pandemic-Ravaged) Retirement Savings Using Home Equity

3 Ways to Fund (Pandemic-Ravaged) Retirement Savings Using Home Equity
If you or your client are at retirement age or within a few years of retiring and don’t have enough saved, what’s the back-up plan? Most Americans are going to need one, according to the numbers. It’s a finding that’s doubly true now that the pandemic has wreaked havoc on many Americans’ retirement accounts. Reasonable
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3 unexpected silver linings from COVID mean good news for real estate

3 unexpected silver linings from COVID mean good news for real estate
We won’t sugarcoat things. The Pandemic has been rough on all of us. However, when something major changes in society, there are almost always “corrections” which take place to offset them. In the lending world – when delinquency gets too high – lenders tighten their guidelines. Remember 2007? Leading into COVID, American’s were struggling to
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How to make sure your offer has the best chance of being accepted

sold family home
  Nobody hates “mortgage-ese” more than us. But today, we’re making an exception. The real estate market is incredibly competitive right now. Homes are selling within days or even HOURS of being listed. Sellers are getting multiple offers (they’ve got choices). Buyers are putting in multiple offers (just in case). But here’s the problem… potential
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Is a Pandemic a Good Time to Buy a Home?

Is a Pandemic a Good Time to Buy a Home?
Thinking about buying a home, vacation property or rental, but just not sure what COVID has in store for the rest of 2020? Is NOW, with all this uncertainty, a good time to buy? The answer is – it depends. If you don’t feel good about the future of your job or business, then now
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Seniors May Be Under-Preparing for Healthcare Costs in Retirement

A new study from Medical Alert Buyer’s Guide – and covered recently by Forbes and Reverse Mortgage Daily – found that many seniors may be routinely under-preparing for their healthcare costs as they move further into retirement. The study surveyed 1,006 people who had yet to retire aiming to gauge their expectations of retired life
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Our Own Alison Calamia Featured in New Orleans Magazine

  Did you know we are now home to the ‘Face of Reverse Mortgage’ in New Orleans? That’s right. Our very own Alison Calamia, Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional (CRMP) and Assistant Vice President of AMR, is featured this month as part of New Orleans Magazine’s 2020 Faces of New Orleans series! We couldn’t be more
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Why seniors are quickly turning to reverse mortgages since COVID

Why seniors are quickly turning to reverse mortgages since COVID
Lost jobs, furloughs & businesses closing have dominated the news when it comes to COVID. Retirement accounts & investment portfolios have also been hit hard, leaving many seniors wondering what they can do to survive the crisis. Most financial advisors agree that taking money out of retirement accounts during a down market is not the
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3 Changes to the Real Estate Market in the Post-COVID World

3 Changes to the Real Estate Market in the Post-COVID World
We’re almost 90 days into the COVID crisis and the end is nowhere in sight. The new normal may be here to stay. At least for the foreseeable future. This isn’t necessarily bad news for the real estate market. The last 2-3 months have produced a record number of transactions as people capitalized on low
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Providing meals for busy local front line nurses & medical workers

Providing meals for busy local front line nurses & medical workers
Doctors, nurses and other medical professionals are our “front line” in the fight against COVID-19. They put themselves at risk each day working directly with patients in need of medical care. Mortgage lenders are also considered Essential Businesses as Critical Financial Services Firms. However, we have been fortunate in that technology has allowed us to
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