Blog

I just got off the phone with some clients who went under contract — and I’m so excited for them. But what happened during this process reminded me of an important lesson worth sharing.We had talked at length about strategies: how their home purchase and mortgage fit into their long-term wealth-building plan, and how it aligned with the guidance of their financial advisor.Then, without even checking back in with me, they went online, searched for rates, and said: “We’re going to go with this other lender because the rate looks cheaper than the one you quoted us three weeks ago.”And honestly? I was a little confused.When I looked, they were being offered an incredible rate — so good that I told them, “If that’s truly what you’re getting, lock it in.”But here’s the catch: when they went to lock, that “amazing” rate wasn’t real. They were told rates had moved. Disappointed, they called me back.That afternoon, we went back to work together. Why?Because I don’t just quote rates. I provide real, transparent numbers tailored to my clients’ situation. I also collaborate with financial advisors to create strategies — not just transactions. For these clients, that meant finding the right mortgage structure to fit both short- and long-term goals so their portfolio stays on track and their retirement timeline remains intact.The TakeawayIf you’re shopping only for a commodity, I may not be your person. But if you’re looking for a strategy — one that uses your mortgage as a tool to build wealth, align with your other assets, and bring peace of mind for the future — then let’s talk.Because mortgages aren’t just products. They’re financial strategies.~Kellie

Mortgages: More Than Just a Commodity

Senior couple, handshake and finance worker welcome, thank you or agreement with consulting with money or retirement savings. Advisor planning funeral insurance, cash growth or investment with client

<figure id="figure-64p62278t5me0402ns"><img id="64p62278t5me0402ns" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/36ziqMDDM4oWmVj2pTsbFfJaXnktL2a4j5MkGXY4okeLKjxcsuE22uaLK33UL4aU.png" alt="kellie collins quote" title="kellie collins quote" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 40% 25%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="40%" data-positionY="25%" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>I was chatting with a client recently who was weighing the idea of a reverse mortgage. Her biggest hang-up?“What if I get stuck with this forever?”It’s a fair question. Nobody likes feeling boxed in by a financial decision. But here’s the thing: reverse mortgages aren’t as permanent as most people think. They actually offer a lot of flexibility for homeowners 62 and up.We sat down and looked at her options...it opened her eyes.She didn’t know she could:Refinance into a new reverse mortgage if rates change Go back to a regular mortgage if she ever wanted to Make payments whenever she wants to chip away at the balance Sell the house if she chooses and keep any remaining equityOnce she saw she had options, I could literally see her relax.That fear of permanence? I get it.I’ve put off choosing paint colors or hanging things on the wall because I didn’t want to “commit.” But really, none of it’s permanent. You can always repaint. You can move the couch. You can take the picture down.Reverse mortgages are kind of the same. It’s not forever. If life changes, you can pivot. That’s the part most people don’t realize.Here’s what I want folks to know:A reverse mortgage can give you some room to breathe, especially when you’re trying to make your retirement money stretch. But it doesn’t mean your choices are gone. You still have options.If you or someone you love is curious (or hesitant) about how it works, let’s talk it through. No pressure, just real answers.—Kellie

The Myth of Being “Stuck”: What a Reverse Mortgage Really Means

When couples divorce, the marital home is often the single largest asset involved—and also one of the biggest sources of confusion. While one spouse may be awarded the home, both names often remain on the mortgage, leading to unforeseen complications when it comes to financing in the future.One solution that’s commonly misunderstood is the Simple Legal Transfer Assumption, protected under the Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982. While this can help protect divorcing homeowners, it doesn’t automatically solve the issue of post-divorce mortgage liability. Without taking the right steps, both spouses could remain financially tied to the property long after the divorce is final.Why This Matters for Your ClientsMortgage guidelines do allow a borrower to exclude a jointly obligated mortgage from their debt-to-income ratio—but only when specific conditions are met. That typically includes documentation from the divorce decree assigning the debt to the other spouse, along with proof that payments have been made consistently for at least 12 months.Without this clear documentation, the vacating spouse could face serious obstacles in qualifying for a new mortgage.By including precise and intentional language within the divorce decree or property settlement agreement, the vacating spouse gains a significant legal advantage. This clarity helps mortgage lenders assess future qualifications and safeguards financial independence.The Importance of Proper Settlement LanguageTo help ensure a clean break, it’s critical that settlement agreements clearly document who is responsible for the mortgage moving forward. This language helps underwriters exclude the vacating spouse from liability, assuming the responsible party continues making payments as agreed.Here’s an example of the type of language often used: “Real Property Award and Mortgage Responsibility – The marital residence located at [address] shall be awarded to [spouse’s name] as their sole and separate property.”While this clause is common, it must always be customized by a qualified family law attorney.The Catch: The Mortgage Note Stays in Both NamesEven with the right settlement language, the original mortgage note remains in both parties’ names unless a formal refinance or loan assumption is completed. The Garn-St. Germain Act simply protects against lenders enforcing a due-on-sale clause due to divorce—but it doesn’t remove the vacating spouse’s legal obligation.In short: without a refinance or assumption, the vacating spouse remains legally tied to the mortgage even if they no longer own the home.How I Help as a Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®)At Integrity Mortgage, I specialize in helping homeowners and their advisors navigate the complexities of mortgage planning during divorce. As a Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®), I work closely with attorneys, financial planners, and divorcing homeowners to ensure everyone has clarity, confidence, and a strategy that supports long-term financial goals.If you’re a family law professional looking to better serve your clients, or if you’re navigating this yourself, let’s connect. Divorce is already complicated—your mortgage doesn’t have to be.Schedule your consultation today. Article sourced from https://www.divorcelendingassociation.com

How Divorce Affects Your Mortgage: What Family Law Professionals (and Homeowners) Should Know

Kellie Collins, CDLP&nbsp; &nbsp;Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®) | Mortgage Strategy for Divorce | Reverse Mortgage Specialist | Branch Manager at Integrity Home Mortgage NMLS #208516, CDLP//"Kellie, you seem like a good person… why would you offer reverse mortgages?"That was the question during a recent coffee meeting—and honestly, I appreciated it. It's a question that deserves an honest answer.The Simple Truth Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of counseling thousands of people about money, homeownership, and planning for the future.And one pattern keeps showing up: Most people don’t save enough to fully fund a secure retirement. But many did buy a good home, worked hard, and paid down their mortgage over time. In fact, for most Americans, the largest part of their net worth is in their home equity.That sounds great… until real life kicks in.Suddenly, that equity becomes crucial—whether it’s for retirement income, long-term care, medical expenses, or simply staying in the home they love.What Are the Options? When seniors need access to cash, these are the most common paths considered:<ul><li>Sell the home and downsize</li><li>Take out a HELOC</li><li>Refinance and take cash out</li><li>Live on credit cards Or… consider a reverse mortgage</li></ul>Each option has pros and cons—and none should be entered into lightly. But here’s the problem: many people dismiss reverse mortgages without truly understanding them.Why I Don’t Run From Them I don’t lead with reverse mortgages, and I never push them. But I do offer them as one of several tools—because for the right person, in the right situation, a reverse mortgage can be life-changing.I’ve worked with families who were facing bankruptcy, foreclosure, or simply running out of options. A reverse mortgage allowed them to stay in their home, reduce financial stress, and enjoy the retirement they worked so hard for.Strategy Over Sales This isn’t about selling a product—it’s about strategic planning.I often collaborate with financial advisors, adult children, estate attorneys, and CPAs to ensure the reverse mortgage conversation is part of a holistic plan—not a last resort.My mission is to give families clarity and confidence—not confusion and fear.Let's Talk Options If you or someone you care about is approaching retirement, don't make financial decisions in a vacuum. Get advice from someone who understands the full picture—not just one or two solutions.Reverse mortgages aren’t for everyone. But when they’re the right fit, they can make all the difference.Curious how they work? Let’s talk. I’d love to share what I’ve learned—no pressure, just clarity.-Kellie

Why I Offer Reverse Mortgages as a Solution When Others Run From Them

I picked my 12 year old from school yesterday. He just had to get home to print some items off for his "clients" at school. He has been printing fidget spinners and puzzles on his 3d printer and selling them for nominal fees to his classmates (AKA running his business).I told him about my business when I was younger and how my friend and I sold friendships bracelets to kids at school, then how we expanded to key chains and things like that. I was thinking he would be a little impressed or ask me some advice, but not my little entrepreneur. Without missing a beat he asked me what my profit margin was on my "little business". I replied "I don't know buddy, what's yours?"He proudly replied "Mine was pretty good, you know I have low overhead you bought my initial supplies...but I wanted to make it better so I started offering extended warranties on my products for an extra $2!" Big Grin Inserted here. "It also helps with my customer satisfaction knowing I will replace anything that breaks before the end of the school year."I may have listened to too many business books while pregnant with him.~Kellie <figure id="figure-7ifa8n1kgwma39dxxq" class="selected"><img id="7ifa8n1kgwma39dxxq" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/6hhi5yv7ZXBhppT1Hv8AkpnKWdPDqOhht159xbxXqu8lmCDtoyf73In5874PRoa2.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl selected" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/6hhi5yv7ZXBhppT1Hv8AkpnKWdPDqOhht159xbxXqu8lmCDtoyf73In5874PRoa2.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-mce-selected="1"></figure>

Business Lessons From My Son

Life is good. Not perfect, but really good. I have two spunky tween boys who keep me on my toes, make me laugh, and push every button I didn’t even know I had. They are my world, my why, and the reason I work as hard as I do.Most mornings, I’m up before the sun, squeezing in a workout, a devotional, and a quick focus on my goals and gratitude for the day—because if I don’t carve out time for myself early, the day will totally take over. Occasionally, I even manage to fold some laundry, but if you walked into my house right now, you’d find a pile of clean clothes on the couch giving me judgmental looks. Oh, some battles just aren’t worth fighting.When it comes to work, I love what I do. Helping people navigate home financing—whether it’s a reverse mortgage for a senior, a new home after a divorce, or just a smarter way to purchase a new place to call home—is deeply fulfilling. But there’s one part of my job that still trips me up: making calls. It’s not just the cold calls to people I haven’t met; it’s making calls to people I know and care about. It can be paralyzing.A little background here… I’m an introvert. Yeah, right, you say? No, really, I am! I hide it well because I know my calling and my why are bigger than my fears. And despite years in this business, I still wrestle with the fear of reaching out—even to people I genuinely care about or new friends I want to connect with. Lately, that fear has been stronger than usual, and I’ve been working hard to push through it.So, if you get a call from me and it’s been a while, you now know it’s not because I don’t care or that I’m just focused on selling or making money. It’s because I’ve been staying close to my comfort zone… on a walk with my Goldendoodle, Merry. But I’ve decided: no more! I am pushing past my paralyzing fears. I may stumble, and that’s okay. I care about what’s going on in your life, and I’m doing my best to put my fears aside to check in on you.So here’s to progress, to small wins, and to giving ourselves grace—whether it’s in business, parenting, or ignoring that pile of laundry just a little bit longer. Want to grow with me? What are some of your roadblocks holding you back? Share them with me—I would love to know.Talk soon,Kellie

My Life, My Struggles, and Why I Might Call You Awkwardly

Kellie Collins, Reverse Mortgage Specialist

I help homeowners over 62 turn their home's equity into a tax-free income stream through reverse mortgages, providing financial security and freedom in retirement.

Blog

Mortgages: More Than Just a Commodity

The Myth of Being “Stuck”: What a Reverse Mortgage Really...

How Divorce Affects Your Mortgage: What Family Law Profes...

Why I Offer Reverse Mortgages as a Solution When Others R...

Business Lessons From My Son

My Life, My Struggles, and Why I Might Call You Awkwardly