The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Reverse Mortgages (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Now let's take a short step back in time..." (more)
Key Phrases: maximum claim amount, monthly servicing fee, reverse mortgage, Cash Account, Fannie Mae, The Least You Need (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

What are they? How do they work? What do they do?

There are more than 100,000 active reverse mortgages in the U.S. today, and the number is growing. If Social Security benefits are excluded, about half of all senior citizens would fall below the poverty line based on their income, and for many people over 65, much of their wealth is concentrated in their home equity. As health care costs rise, many people are turning to reverse mortgages for supplemental income. This book outlines, informs, counsels, and lays out the facts on reverse mortgages.

-Anticipation of Social Security problems is increasing the popularity of reverse mortgages

-More people are expected to turn to reverse mortgages to supplement their income

-The Consumers Union of U.S. Inc. says that AARP, HUD, Fannie Mae, and the reverse mortgage industry all agree on the importance of high-quality reverse mortgage counseling and information

About the Author

Jennifer Pokorny is a branch manager with Carteret Mortgage, specializing in reverse mortgages. She has 25 years experience in all facets of the industry, working with property management before becoming project engineer for a commercial construction company. She has also worked as a freelance writer and editor for 10 years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Alpha (September 6, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592573770
• ISBN-13: 978-1592573776
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #938,272 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Ok, but missing information, November 29, 2005

By	Caren Wester (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

I bought this book to read up on the topic for my parents, and found it to be just "ok." To be honest, I chose this one because it was cheaper than the Dummies book on the same topic, and I guess you get what you pay for. It seemed to gloss over a lot of important areas, and left me confused, with more "facts" than "how-to" help.

5.0 out of 5 stars If you want an easy explanation of all the options, this one's for you., January 6, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

If you want to supplement retirement income a reverse mortgage seems a good option, many say: but how exactly is the right one obtained? Learn how reverse mortgages work with POCKET IDIOT'S GUIDE TO REVERSE MORTGAGES, which explains all the basics using simple language and an easy at-a-glance pocket format. From different kinds of mortgages such as conversion mortgages to understanding property appraisals, if you want an easy explanation of all the options, this one's for you.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch