What are the benefits in getting a Reverse Mortgage

Didier Malagies • May 12, 2025



After years of identifying the housing market as unhealthy — culminating in a savagely unhealthy housing market in early 2022 — I can confidently assert that the housing market in 2024 and 2025 is on better footing. This transformation sets an extremely positive foundation for what’s to come. Some recent headlines about housing suggest that demand is crashing. However, that’s not the case, as the data below will show.


Today on CNBC, I discussed this very point: what is happening now is not only in line with my price forecasts for 2024 and 2025, but it’s why I am so happy to see inventory grow and price growth data cool down. What we saw in late 2020, all of 2021 and early 2022 was not sustainable and we needed higher mortgage rates to cool things down — hence why I was team higher rates early in 2021. The last two years have ushered in a healthier market for the future of existing home sales.


Existing home sales

Before the existing home sales report was released Thursday, I confidently predicted a month-to-month decline, while estimating the existing home sales print to be just a tad above 4 million. That’s precisely what occurred — no surprises there, as every month in 2025 has consistently exceeded 4 million. However, it’s important to note that our weekly pending home sales data has only recently begun to show growth compared to last year. We have an advantage over the data from the National Association of Realtors since our weekly pending home sales data is updated weekly, making their report somewhat outdated.

The notable surprise for me in 2025 is the year-over-year growth we observe in the data, despite elevated mortgage rates. If mortgage rates were ranging between 6%-6.64%, I wouldn’t have been surprised at all because we are working from the lowest bar in sales ever.


Purchase application data

If someone had said the purchase application data would show positive trends both year to date and year over year by late April, even with mortgage rates not falling significantly below 6.64%, I would have found that hard to believe. Yet, here we are witnessing consistent year-over-year growth. Even with the recent rate spike, which has clearly cooled demand week to week, we are still positive. If mortgage rates can just trend down toward 6% with duration, sales are growing.


Housing inventory and price growth

While my forecast for national price growth in 2024 at 2.33% was too low and in 2025 at 1.77% may be too low again, it’s encouraging to see a slowdown in price growth, which I believe is a positive sign for the future. The increase in inventory is also promising and supports long-term stability in the housing market.

We can anticipate that millions of people will continue to buy homes each year, and projections suggest that we’re on track for another nearly 5 million total home sales in 2025. As wages rise and households are formed, such as through marriage and bringing in dual incomes, this influx of inventory returning to normal levels provides an optimistic outlook. This trend in inventory data is truly heartening.


Conclusion

With all the data lines I added above, you can see why I have a renewed optimism about the housing market. If price growth significantly outpaced inflation and wages, and inventory wasn’t increasing, I’d be discussing a much different and more concerning state of affairs. Thankfully, that’s not the case.

Historically, we’ve observed that when home sales dip due to higher rates, they may remain subdued for a while but ultimately rise again. This is common during recessions, as I discussed in this recent HousingWire Daily podcast. As you can see in the existing home sales data below, we had an epic crash in sales in 2022 but found a base to work from around 4 million.


This trend has shaped the landscape of housing economics since post-WWII, reminding us that resilience and recovery are always within reach.




Have A Question?

Use the form below and we will give your our expert answers!

Reverse Mortgage Ask A Question

Start Your Loan with DDA today
Your local Mortgage Broker

Mortgage Broker Largo
See our Reviews

Looking for more details? Listen to our extended podcast! 

Check out our other helpful videos to learn more about credit and residential mortgages.

Learn about the 1% down program

By Didier Malagies • August 11, 2025
Program Overview Borrower Contribution: You pay 1% of the purchase price as the down payment. Lender provides a 2% grant, bringing your total to 3% down, which is the typical minimum for conventional loans. For example, on a $250,000 home: You pay $2,500 (1%) Lender adds $5,000 (2%) You start owning 3% equity from day one Eligibility Requirements To qualify for ONE+, you must meet all of the following: Income: At or below 80% of your area's median income (AMI) National Mortgage Professional Credit Score: Minimum FICO® score of 620  Property Type: Must be a single-unit primary residence (no second homes or investments) Loan Limit: Loan amount must be $350,000 or l Total Down Payment: With their 2% grant included, your total down payment cannot exceed 5% Mortgage Insurance (PMI) Despite the grant taking you to 3% equity, the program does require mortgage insurance (PMI). National Mortgage Professional The Mortgage Report tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329

Learn about the 40 year , 10 year interest only

By Didier Malagies • August 4, 2025
A 40-year interest-only fixed for 10 years mortgage is a specialized loan product with the following structure: 🔹 Loan Term: 40 Years Total length of the mortgage is 40 years. 🔹 Interest-Only Period: First 10 Years For the first 10 years, the borrower only pays interest on the loan. No principal is paid down during this time (unless the borrower chooses to). Monthly payments are lower because they do not include principal repayment. 🔹 Fixed Interest Rate: First 10 Years The interest rate is fixed during the 10-year interest-only period. This provides payment stability during that time. 🔹 After 10 Years: Principal + Interest After the initial 10 years: The borrower starts making fully amortizing payments (principal + interest). These payments are higher, because: The principal is repaid over the remaining 30 years, not 40. And the interest rate may adjust, depending on loan terms (some convert to an adjustable rate, others stay fixed). ✅ Pros Lower payments early on—can help with cash flow. May be useful if the borrower plans to sell or refinance within 10 years. Good for investors or short-term homeownership plans. ⚠️ Cons No equity is built unless home appreciates or borrower pays extra. Big payment increase after 10 years. Can be risky if income doesn't rise, or if home value declines. 🧠 Example Let’s say: Loan amount: $300,000 Interest rate: 6% fixed for 10 years First 10 years: Only pay interest = $1,500/month After 10 years: Principal + interest on remaining $300,000 over 30 years = ~$1,798/month (assuming same rate) tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329 

Look for the 10 Year Treasury to come down

By Didier Malagies • July 28, 2025
When the 10-year Treasury yield goes down, it generally signals lower interest rates and increased demand for safe-haven assets like U.S. government bonds. Here’s what typically happens across different areas of the economy and markets: 🔻 Why the 10-Year Treasury Yield Drops Increased demand for bonds: Investors buy Treasuries during uncertain times (e.g., recession fears, geopolitical risk), which drives prices up and yields down. Expectations of lower inflation or interest rates: If the Federal Reserve is expected to cut rates or inflation is cooling, yields tend to fall. Weak economic outlook: Slowing growth or a poor jobs report can trigger a yield decline. 📉 Impacts of a Lower 10-Year Treasury Yield 🏦 1. Mortgage Rates and Loans Mortgage rates (especially 30-year fixed) tend to follow the 10-year Treasury. As yields fall, mortgage rates usually decline, making home loans cheaper. This can stimulate the housing market and refinancing activity. 📈 2. Stock Market Lower yields often boost stock prices, especially growth stocks (like tech), because: Borrowing costs are lower. Future earnings are worth more when discounted at a lower rate. Defensive and interest-sensitive sectors (like utilities and real estate) also benefit. 💰 3. Consumer and Business Borrowing Lower Treasury yields can lead to lower interest rates across the board, including for: Auto loans Credit cards Business loans This can boost consumer spending and business investment. 💵 4. U.S. Dollar Falling yields can make U.S. assets less attractive to foreign investors. This can weaken the dollar, which may help U.S. exporters by making goods cheaper abroad. 🪙 5. Inflation Expectations If the yield is falling due to low inflation expectations, it may indicate deflationary pressure. However, if it's just due to safe-haven buying, it might not reflect inflation at all. ⚠️ Potential Risks A sharp drop in the 10-year yield can signal a recession or loss of confidence in the economy. A flattening or inverted yield curve (when short-term rates are higher than long-term) can be a recession warning. tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
Show More