A study unveiled at EuroPrevent 2017 posits that grey hair may be a marker for potential heart disease. More, here.

Ashlee Clark Thompson has a piece on CNET offering tips on discussing technology with aging parents. There’s also a good overview on current technology that may be of assistance. More, here.

The journal Neuron published a new report recently on the increasing difficulty in getting restorative sleep as we get older, and how that impacts aging. More, here.

A study unveiled at EuroPrevent 2017 posits that grey hair may be a marker for potential heart disease. More, here.

Ashlee Clark Thompson has a piece on CNET offering tips on discussing technology with aging parents. There’s also a good overview on current technology that may be of assistance. More, here.

The journal Neuron published a new report recently on the increasing difficulty in getting restorative sleep as we get older, and how that impacts aging. More, here.

Kevin Xu, writing for MedCity News, shares some interesting information about new technology to improve aging. More, here.

Inc.com shares 9 mental tricks to help battle the effects of aging. More, here.

Richard Eisenberg reports on what he learned at the American Society on Aging’s (ASA) Aging in America Conference, and the What’s Next Boomer Business Summit. More, here.

Katie Lobosco at CNN Money answers a reader’s question about how real estate can aid in retirement. More, here.

Results from the the West Health Institute/NORC Survey on Aging in America show many similarities between younger and older Americans and their concerns about aging. More, here.

A study in The Lancet identified the Tsimane people in the forests of Bolivia to have the world’s healthiest hearts. Read about their diet and exercise, here.

Kelly Zhou, writing for the Cornell Sun, shares a synopsis of Harvard Professor Vadim Gladyshev’s recent seminar “Mechanisms of Aging and Redox Control”. More, here.

Nilotinib, a drug approved to treat leukemia, has been green-lit for more tests to prove its efficacy in treating Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. More, here.

CNBC reports on a new study published in the journal Cell Systems, which cites a genetic variant that strongly impacts how the brain ages. More, here.

Becca R. Levy, a professor of epidemiology at Yale University of Public Health, led a team that used results from the Health and Retirement Study to conclude that reading will increase longevity. More, here.

Jean Chatzky had a piece on Today.com a while back about the benefits of continuing to work. More, here.

A new study, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, cites high-intensity interval training (HIIT) as the best exercise method to reverse signs of aging. More, here.

Northwestern University published a study recently about the positive effects of sound waves in older adults. More, here.

Resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, may help slow aging. More, here.

Gordon Hurd summarizes a recent Wall Street Journal article explaining why men may have a harder time aging. More, here.

Jim Gordon, with the Hudson Valley Chronogram, has a thoughtful piece examining both the good and bad aspects of aging in place. Much of the data he’s compiled is Hudson Valley-specific, but it’s worth reading nonetheless. More, here.

Paul Spector MD, has an article in the Huffington Post explaining why we gain weight as we age, and offering some solutions. More, here

The Chicago Sun Times posted some helpful information about geriatricians, and how they can be of benefit. More, here.

The Journal, Nature Communications, published new research linking aging and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. More, here.

Three Reasons you may want to consider a Reverse Mortgage

Increase Your Budget

Having a reverse mortgage could help with your budget.  Many seniors have fixed income and fixed expenses.  However, there are always things that pop up.  Having a reverse mortage could help free up some of your budget by eliminating your monthly mortgage payment.

Home Improvements

As houses age, they need a little bit extra to keep them maintained.  If you have lived in your home for a while, you might not even see all the small repairs that are needed.  When something major needs to be repaired, where do you go?  Well, a reverse mortgage could give you access to help pay for those repairs and bring your house up to a safe and pleasant condition once again.

Travel

Many seniors find themselves without a lot of money to use for visiting relatives or traveling to those places they always wanted to see.  Having a reverse mortgage could give you the needed funds to take those trips you have always wanted.

Is a reverse mortgage right for you?

Reverse mortgages may not be for everyone, but if you are over 65 and have been in your home for quite a while, you may gain many benefits from a reverse mortgage.  We would love to help you decide what the best course of action is for you and your lifestyle.

Our professionals are diligent in listening to you and helping you get all of your questions answered.

Give 1st USA Reverse Mortgage a call at 800-676-5616 or just go to our main page (1stUSAReverseMortgage) and fill out our handy form.  Our honest and dependable team is looking forward to hearing from you.

The Reverse Mortgage Professionals

1st USA Reverse Mortgage, LLC/The Valdez Group is not here to sell you products. We are here to help you find solutions to your needs.  We understand that any Reverse Mortgage is a big decision and should not be taken lightly.  Our first priority is to educate and to find the right program to fit your needs and one that will benefit you for the future.

A Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM’s), also known as Reverse Mortgages are federally-insured and backed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  HECM loans can be used for any purpose.

A Reverse Mortgage is a Financial Retirement Tool

Many financial advisors are recommending the Reverse Mortgage program to homeowners age 62 and older as a successful retirement planning tool.  Here are a few ways to structure your pay options.

• You can choose to take money as a lump sum or receive monthly disbursements that can be used to pay for living expenses. By doing this, your other investments or benefits will have more time to grow in value before accessing them.
• You can also start a line of credit without withdrawing any money. With the line of credit, the available money increases in value over time giving you more money available to access in the future.  The amount of money available can even exceed the value of your home and is not affected by changing home values.

We think every homeowner should consider getting a home equity conversion mortgage line of credit as soon as they turn 62.  This great financial tool gives peace of mind in safeguarding your financial future.

Call The Reverse Mortgage Professionals Today

800-676-5619

512-288-4700

Channel 6 in Philadelphia aired a segment on using hydrotherapy to stay fit while getting older. It’s part of their Art of Aging series, and you can view the video, here.

A new study from Brigham Young University posits that eating less will slow the aging process. More, here.

Arthur Guarino has a piece for Global Risk Insights on what the aging population means to the global economy. More, here.

Sascha Janzen has a piece for Inman detailing 5 mistakes to avoid when transferring assets along to the next generation. More, here.

WPVI in Philadelphia has a segment on aging Americans going to college. More, here.

Senior adults want to feel comfortable while on vacation and don’t want to worry about their home being save.  It can be hard to relax on vacation if you’re worried about what’s going on back home. But a few simple measures can help properly secure your house and give you the peace of mind you need to enjoy your time away.

• Hold mail and deliveries. — The U.S. Postal Service makes it easy to put a temporary hold on your mail. And don’t forget to suspend newspaper and other recurring deliveries, like Amazon subscriptions.
• Make it look like you’re home. — Use automatic timers for indoor lights and maybe a TV or two. And keep some curtains open; closed curtains suggest that you’re away and give criminals more cover.
• Recruit a friend or neighbor. — Ask a neighbor to keep an eye out for unexpected deliveries and park their car in your driveway from time to time. If you’ll be gone for an extended period of time, arrange for someone to mow your lawn.
• Freeze your social posts. — Don’t announce your travels on social media, and wait to share pictures until you’re back home. Burglars are increasingly scouring social networks for victims. Check your social network settings, too, so you’re not auto-tagged in pictures by your travel companions.
• Monitor from afar. — From cameras and sensors to remote monitoringand notifications, there are numerous options for added protection. Some home security systems can even send you an alert when someone’s at your door.
• Secure your valuables. — Before you go, make an indoor sweep and lock up sensitive financial statements, jewelry, laptops and other valuables for additional security and peace of mind.
• Lastly, it’s a good idea to give your financial institutions a heads-up about your travel plans. A stream of out-of-state or out-of-country charges could prompt an unnecessary alert that puts a hold on your account.

Senior adults realize it is fun to have a second home. Vacation home sales are booming, particularly in beach and boating locations in the South and West.

If you’ve ever thought about having a home away from home, be sure to ask yourself the following questions.

How will you use it?

Will it be a seasonal home and future retirement spot? A vacation home you’ll also rent out? Pick a place you love, but heed the advice of experts who say the sweet spot is a destination that’s no more than a three-hour drive from a major metro area. The proximity can help with resale, plus it usually draws a larger pool of potential renters. If rental income is important, ensure local laws or association bylaws allow it before making a purchase.

Can you afford all of the costs?

Don’t just look at the purchase price to determine if you can swing it. You’ll need to also factor in property and insurance taxes, potential homeowners or condo association fees, and the cost of utilities and maintenance. Your tax implications will vary, too, depending on how you decide to use the home. If you rent it out for more than 15 days a year, for instance, you’ll need to declare the income to the IRS.

Keep in mind that any funds from a reverse mortgage may help you with a second home.  You can talk to one of our reverse mortgage professionals at 800-676-5619.

Do you have a plan for when you’re gone?

If you live more than a couple of hours away, a local property manager may be helpful for overseeing tenants and dealing with maintenance issues. You’ll also want to take measures to protect your home when no one is there. A security system is a no-brainer, and it might even reduce insurance costs. Other good bets include motion-sensitive exterior lights, timers for indoor lighting, and a car parked in the drive every so often (courtesy of a neighbor).

If there is anything we can do to help just give us a call.  We are your reverse mortgage professionals proudly serving Texas seniors.

Senior adults have more time to take vacations and everyone needs a good getaway.

If you’re like most Americans, you’re taking fewer vacations and limiting your travel. And if that’s the case, you’re missing out on the health benefits a getaway can provide. Beyond the relaxing effects, a vacation can also reduce your risk for heart disease and improve your performance at work. So if the idea of taking some time away sounds appealing, start your planning and budgeting now to get that long-awaited vacation on the books.

Narrow Down a Destination

Before you can budget, you need a spot in mind. Maybe you’d like to visit a popular domestic destination like California, Texas, Florida or New York. Or maybe it’s a bucket-list type of location like Ireland, Fiji, Bora Bora or Australia. Vacation costs can vary widely, so determine where you’d like to go and how much money you can expect to spend.

Start a Travel Fund

Set up a dedicated savings account for your travel fund. Schedule regular transfers or have a portion of each check or  deposited directly into the account. Stay motivated to save by putting images of your vacation destination on display and looking up fun activities or relaxing locales.

Think Creatively

Boost your spending power by finding ways to save on expenses. Sign up for deal alerts from airlines and travel companies. Consider traveling in the off-season, and make the most of travel reward points. Pool or borrow points from a family member, ask for travel upgrades if you have gold or platinum status, and watch where you book — some rewards programs offer more points when booked on specific sites.

If you start planning and saving now, you’ll enjoy the physical and mental rewards of your dream vacation in no time.  Plus, you can always leverage the value of your home with a reverse mortgage solution.  Imagine your house paying for your vacation.

Find out more by talking to one of our reverse mortgage professionals at 800-676-5619.  We would love to help you reach the destination of your dreams.

What would happen if you lost everything in a fire, tornado or another disaster?

Senior adults realize that homeowners insurance would likely cover your house, but without a comprehensive list of your belongings, you’d have to rely on memory to determine what else was damaged or destroyed.  Why not be prepared?

That’s where an inventory of your home can help. Not only will it prevent you from forgetting important valuables, but it can also streamline the claim filing process. Follow these steps to create your home inventory.

Pick a method.

You have a lot of options for cataloging your possessions. There are home inventory apps for your phone, organizational apps like Evernote, and, of course, the trusty Excel spreadsheet. You can even print out a ready-made checklist to use with a clipboard as you walk through your home.

Take inventory.

Go room by room and use your phone to take photos and video of everything, including serial numbers of electronics and appliances. Peek inside closets and drawers, and don’t forget to visit the garage, attic and any rarely used spaces.

Keep it safe.

Back up your inventory so the information is accessible even if you’re unable to gain entry into your home. Store a second set of any hard copies elsewhere, like in a safe deposit box or at a friend’s house. Digital versions should be backed up to the cloud or saved on a thumb drive you store off-site.

A home inventory can also be a helpful reminder to double-check your insurance coverages. There are certain types of belongings, like jewelry, tools and electronics, that are typically covered up to a set dollar limit. Adjusting your coverages now will save you a lot of heartache if something does go wrong, making sure you’re not left empty-handed when it comes time to file a claim.

As always, we are here to help.  If a reverse mortgage would help you in any way, please contact one of our reverse mortgage professional at 800-676-5619.  We’re here to help!

As we age, we have a lot more to remember.  If you have lived in your house for a long time it’s easy to put off or forget about some of the most basic home maintenance. Sometimes it feels like there’s so much of it, and it doesn’t help that some tasks are done only once in a while so they’re easy to overlook.

Seniors can simplify their life by taking the time to compile a list of the most important jobs, and use it to keep your home maintained. You’ll find that the effort will serve you — and your home — for years to come.

Make a list of tasks.

Start by brainstorming all the maintenance that should be completed over the course of the year. Start with obvious tasks like changing the HVAC system’s air filter monthly and review appliance manuals, home warranties and other documents that list required maintenance. You can also look over ready-made lists online to ensure you include all of the important chores.

Organize by frequency.

Next, grab a yearly calendar (paper or digital) and organize each job by how often it needs to be done. Make an entry on the calendar for each task, including recurring ones like that monthly filter change and twice-a-year gutter cleaning. You get the picture.

Set timely reminders.

Setting up alerts is a critical part of the process. Forgetfulness is often the reason home maintenance doesn’t get done. Set a reminder alert for each task on your smartphone or subscribe to ongoing alerts from a site like HomeSpot. Also use the calendar for reminders to purchase necessary supplies, like buying replacement batteries for smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

Once you get an organized system established, you’ll find it’s much easier to tackle home maintenance tasks on time. You’ll enjoy a relatively hassle-free way to take care of your home year-round.

And of course, if you ever need help with a reverse mortgage or would just like to talk about the options you have with your house, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 800-676-5619.  We are the Reverse Mortgage Professionals who specialize in helping seniors in Texas.