Home Equity

As HEI regulations expand, states debate loan classification

As states take varying approaches to regulating home equity investment (HEI) products, the industry faces an increasingly fragmented legal landscape shaped by consumer protection concerns and uncertainty over whether the products should be treated as mortgage loans. Under an HEI, homeowners receive upfront cash in exchange for a share of the home’s future value, typically […]

As HEI regulations expand, states debate loan classification Read More »

As retirement costs surge, more homeowners turn to their equity

Americans may need roughly $2.57 million to retire comfortably by 2043, up sharply from the $1.75 million projected for 2033, according to a 2025 Goldman Sachs retirement survey. The increase reflects years of inflation that have driven up the costs of housing, health care and daily expenses. Households headed by someone 65 or older now

As retirement costs surge, more homeowners turn to their equity Read More »

Illinois creates regulatory framework for home equity investments

Regulators in Illinois have approved what a group of home equity investment (HEI) providers calls the most comprehensive state regulatory framework to date for shared equity products, a fast-growing alternative to traditional home equity loans and reverse mortgages. The rule was adopted under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)’s mortgage licensing regulations.

Illinois creates regulatory framework for home equity investments Read More »

Retirees counting on home equity may face financial shortfalls

For generations, homeownership has been one of the primary ways Americans built wealth and passed it on to loved ones. Now, financial advisers and housing experts warn that many older homeowners may be counting too heavily on their homes as retirement safety nets as they discover their properties sell for less than expected, according to

Retirees counting on home equity may face financial shortfalls Read More »

Reverse Mastermind Summit kicks off with practical advice, choice words

Reverse mortgage professionals converged in Knoxville, Tennessee, this week for the inaugural Reverse Mastermind Summit — a three-day event designed to bolster the sales skills of industry newcomers by surrounding them with knowledge from industry veterans. The event opened Tuesday with remarks from three leaders behind the event — Loren Riddick of NEXA Lending, Shannon

Reverse Mastermind Summit kicks off with practical advice, choice words Read More »

Smart home technology continues to emerge as key tool for aging in place

A rapidly aging U.S. population is accelerating demand for smart home technology that allows older adults to remain in their homes longer. Financing options, including the tapping of home equity, are emerging to help pay for it. Roughly 11,000 Americans turn 65 each day and about one in four U.S. residents is now at least

Smart home technology continues to emerge as key tool for aging in place Read More »

Home equity emerges as a generational growth strategy for originators

With refinance activity constrained and purchase volume under pressure, lenders are being forced to rethink their sustainable growth plans. The answer is becoming clear: home equity. As millions of homeowners remain locked into low mortgage rates, they are turning to second liens and mortgages to access equity without disrupting their primary loan. Tom Davis, Chief

Home equity emerges as a generational growth strategy for originators Read More »

SoFi rolls out end-to-end digital HELOC experience, advisory council

SoFi Technologies this week unveiled a new fully digital home equity line of credit (HELOC) experience, expanding its push into mortgages as more homeowners choose to tap equity rather than move. The company said the new HELOC offering will allow members to access home equity through an end-to-end digital process within the SoFi platform, with

SoFi rolls out end-to-end digital HELOC experience, advisory council Read More »

How Atlantic Avenue became the top reverse mortgage broker

Florida-based Atlantic Avenue Mortgage became the top reverse brokerage firm in the U.S. in 2025, less than four years after its founding, and it sees more room for growth in 2026.  “We just had our best month ever. We’ve done over $90 million in loan volume in Q1. We expect to certainly be at the

How Atlantic Avenue became the top reverse mortgage broker Read More »

Maine enacts first state law to regulate home equity investments

Maine Gov. Janet Mills this week signed LD 1901, making Maine the first state to enact comprehensive consumer protections for home equity investments (HEIs), which the new law defines as “shared appreciation mortgage loans.” The bill, titled “An Act to Regulate Shared Appreciation Agreements Relating to Residential Property,” establishes guardrails around a growing class of

Maine enacts first state law to regulate home equity investments Read More »