Quick Answer
The initial reverse mortgage consultation is a 30-to-45-minute call or meeting where the CRMP models your specific principal limit, reviews all program options, identifies California-specific considerations, and answers every question you have — with no commitment, no cost, and no pressure.
- The consultation models your specific numbers: principal limit, net proceeds, line of credit.
- All program options are reviewed: HECM, proprietary, Reverse Second Mortgage.
- California-specific issues are identified: Prop 19, wildfire insurance, CalHFA, age-55 programs.
- Every question is answered — bring your list.
- Family members are welcome to join.
- No cost, no commitment, no obligation to proceed.
Key Facts
| Topic | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| Typical duration | 30 to 45 minutes |
| Cost | Free — no charge for the initial consultation |
| Commitment required | None |
| What you need to bring | Age, estimated home value, approximate mortgage balance |
| Family participation | Welcome and encouraged |
| Format | Phone, video, or in-person |
| Output | Specific numbers for your situation plus recommended next steps |
| Jay's consultation availability | 760-271-8646 | calendly.com/jmzayer/30min |
Detailed Explanation
The initial consultation is the most important step in the reverse mortgage process because it converts the general concept into specific numbers for your situation. A CRMP who knows your age, your home's estimated value, and your approximate mortgage balance can calculate your principal limit, model the net proceeds after all payoffs and costs, and project the line of credit's growth over time — in about 10 minutes. The remaining 20 to 35 minutes is education and questions.
Program options are reviewed based on your specific situation. For a California borrower with a $900,000 home and a low-rate first mortgage, the CRMP would typically model the standard HECM (which requires paying off the first mortgage), the Reverse Second Mortgage (which leaves the first mortgage in place), and potentially a proprietary program if the home value exceeds the HECM lending limit. The comparison between programs requires your specific numbers to be meaningful.
California-specific issues that affect the analysis are identified proactively. Proposition 19 implications if you plan to transfer the home to children. Wildfire insurance if you are in an at-risk area or have had standard coverage non-renewed. CalHFA junior lien if you used down payment assistance. PACE solar financing if you have an energy improvement assessment. Age-55 proprietary program options if you are between 55 and 61. These California-specific factors significantly affect the transaction and must be understood before the application is submitted.
The consultation is also the right time to involve family members. Adult children, estate attorneys, financial advisors, and other trusted people in the borrower's life are welcome to join the consultation by phone or video. Jay actively encourages this because the reverse mortgage decision affects the entire family's financial plan, and families who understand the transaction before it closes are more satisfied with the outcome than those who encounter it for the first time at the closing table.
Jay Zayer, CRMP — 18 Years Experience
My consultations follow a consistent structure. I start by listening: why are you calling now, what have you already heard about reverse mortgages, what concerns you most. Then I run the numbers: principal limit, net proceeds, line of credit projection. Then I address California-specific factors. Then I answer questions. I end every consultation with three things: a summary of the numbers, the recommended next step, and a direct answer to the most important concern the person raised at the start. The consultation is finished when the caller has enough information to make a confident decision — not when I have finished my script.
Who This Is Right For
This may be a good fit if:
- Every homeowner 55+ in California or Arizona who is exploring a reverse mortgage — the consultation is the right first step regardless of how early or late in the process you are
This may NOT be the right fit if:
- There is no situation where having a free consultation would be inappropriate
Common Misconception
Myth: The free consultation is just a sales pitch.
Fact: A legitimate CRMP consultation provides specific modeled numbers for your situation, reviews all options including alternatives to the reverse mortgage, and answers every question without pressure. Jay has told callers directly that the reverse mortgage is not the right fit for them when the numbers support that conclusion.
Source: NRMLA Code of Ethics; CRMP designation standards
Authoritative Sources
- NRMLA: CRMP standards — nrmlaonline.org
- CFPB: Reverse mortgage counseling and consultation — consumerfinance.gov
- reversemortgage.coach: Free consultation — 760-271-8646
People Also Ask
What should I bring to a reverse mortgage consultation?
Your age, an estimate of your home's current value, and your approximate remaining mortgage balance. That is enough to run a meaningful initial analysis.
Can my adult children join the reverse mortgage consultation?
Yes — and Jay actively encourages it. Family members who understand the transaction are better positioned to support the decision and help with future planning.
How long does the reverse mortgage consultation take?
30 to 45 minutes for a thorough initial consultation. More complex situations — multiple liens, CalHFA, PACE financing, trust structures — may take slightly longer.