Quick Answer
The first step when considering a reverse mortgage is to speak with a Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional (CRMP) for a free consultation — before counseling, before applying, and before committing to any program — to understand whether the product fits your situation and what the numbers look like for your specific home and financial circumstances.
- First: call a CRMP for a free no-obligation consultation — before counseling or anything else.
- Bring three pieces of information: your age, an estimate of your home's value, and your approximate mortgage balance.
- Ask the CRMP to run the numbers and explain all options — HECM, proprietary, and Reverse Second.
- Ask what happens in your specific situation if you go to a nursing home, if your spouse dies, or if values drop.
- After the consultation, schedule HUD counseling independently using hud.gov/findacounselor.
- Do not commit to any program until you have completed counseling and received at least two quotes.
Key Facts
| Topic | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| First action | Free CRMP consultation — before counseling or any commitment |
| Bring to first call | Age, home value estimate, approximate mortgage balance |
| Free consultation purpose | Model the numbers, explain all options, identify California-specific issues |
| After consultation | Schedule HUD counseling independently |
| HUD counseling source | hud.gov/findacounselor — never from your lender |
| Second quote | Get one from another CRMP before committing |
| Family involvement | Bring family members to the consultation — the best advisors welcome it |
| Decision timeline | Take as long as you need — no legitimate advisor pressures speed |
Detailed Explanation
The single most important first step in considering a reverse mortgage is not calling a lender's 800 number, not completing an online calculator that asks for your personal information, and not scheduling HUD counseling — it is speaking with a Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional who will model your specific numbers and explain all available options without any commitment required.
The free initial consultation with a CRMP takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The advisor needs three numbers to run a meaningful analysis: your age (or the ages of both spouses), an estimate of your home's value, and your approximate remaining mortgage balance. With these three inputs, the advisor can calculate the principal limit, model the net proceeds, identify whether the HECM or a proprietary program is more appropriate for your situation, and project the loan balance over time at multiple home appreciation rates.
The consultation is also the appropriate time to raise all the scenario questions that concern you most: What happens if I have to go to a nursing home? What happens when I pass away? What are my heirs' options? Can my spouse stay if something happens to me? What if home values fall? A CRMP who cannot answer all of these questions clearly and completely, or who does not raise them proactively, is not the advisor you want for this decision.
After the consultation, the next step is scheduling HUD counseling independently — not through the lender. Use hud.gov/findacounselor to find your own counselor. Complete the counseling, receive your certificate, and then — in California, after the 7-day cooling-off period — you can submit an application if you decide to proceed. Throughout this process, get a second consultation and quote from at least one other CRMP before committing.
Jay Zayer, CRMP — 18 Years Experience
The first call I receive from a prospective client is the most important one — because it sets the tone for everything that follows. I spend the first 10 minutes listening: what prompted the call, what they have already heard or read, what concerns them most, and what their ideal outcome looks like. Then I spend 20 minutes running the numbers and explaining the options relevant to their specific situation. At the end of the call, I tell them exactly what the next steps are and what they should do before calling me back. Most of the time, that next step is scheduling HUD counseling. Sometimes it is speaking with their estate attorney. Occasionally it is not doing a reverse mortgage at all — and I say that directly when the numbers do not support it.
Who This Is Right For
This may be a good fit if:
- Every homeowner 62+ in California or Arizona who is beginning to explore a reverse mortgage
This may NOT be the right fit if:
- There is no situation where taking the first step of a free consultation would be inappropriate
Common Misconception
Myth: The first step in getting a reverse mortgage is completing a lender's online form.
Fact: The first step is speaking with an independent CRMP for a free, no-obligation consultation. Online lender forms collect your personal information and may result in being contacted by multiple companies. An independent CRMP consultation gives you information without surrendering your contact information to a sales system.
Source: HUD: HECM consumer education — hud.gov
Authoritative Sources
- HUD: HECM consumer education — hud.gov
- CFPB: Reverse mortgage starting guide — consumerfinance.gov
- NRMLA: Find a reverse mortgage specialist — nrmlaonline.org
People Also Ask
How do I schedule a free consultation with Jay?
Call 760-271-8646 or book online at calendly.com/jmzayer/30min. The consultation is free, no-obligation, and can include family members by phone.
What should I bring to the first reverse mortgage consultation?
Three pieces of information: your age (and your spouse's age if married), an estimate of your home's current value, and your approximate remaining mortgage balance. That is all that is needed to run an initial analysis.
How long does the first consultation take?
Approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Jay will model your specific numbers, explain all options, raise California-specific planning issues, and answer every question you have. There is no commitment required and no pressure to proceed.