Mary Jo Lafaye
Reverse Mortgage Specialist | Helping Homeowners 55+ Unlock Retirement Income | Trusted Advisor to Financial & Legal Pros | Speaker & Educator
One of the most rewarding parts of my work as a Home Equity Retirement Specialist here in Marin is helping clients uncover what’s possible in retirement—not just financially, but personally.
A recent client reminded me just how life-changing the right strategy can be.
My client is a retired architect in her 70s. She has a beautiful home in Marin with a charming Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)/attached cottage she once built for guests. But she was starting to feel stretched. Inflation, travel dreams, and long-term financial stability were all on her mind.
When we met, I introduced her to a powerful tool she hadn’t considered: the Secure Equity proprietary “jumbo” reverse mortgage. This newer, more flexible option offers predictable terms and can unlock significant, tax-free* cash from your home equity—without requiring a move. The Secure Equity can be used as a fixed-rate loan, or a flexible credit line to fund retirement.
Here’s what my client did:
-She moved into her fully renovated ADU—downsizing without leaving home
-She rented out her main house, generating steady monthly income
-And she used the proceeds from her reverse mortgage to fund her dream of living part of the year in Italy where she grew up and still has family and lifelong friends
This spring, I received a photo from her sipping espresso in Florence, with a note that said:
“Thank you, Mary Jo. My house didn’t just become a source of income—it became a passport to the life and dreams I thought I’d have to give up.”
This is exactly why I do what I do.
If you’re 60+ and wondering how to retire on your own terms—or help your clients do the same—I’d love to explore whether this strategy might be a fit.
Let’s talk about how your home equity can support a more secure and joyful future.
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Mary Jo Lafaye, NMLS #246222
Marin County Reverse Mortgage & Retirement Specialist
Originating loans in 48 states
maryjolafaye.com
415-259-4979
*Consult your tax advisor.
Mary Jo Lafaye, NMLS ID 246222. Mutual of Omaha Mortgage, Inc. dba Mutual of Omaha Reverse Mortgage, NMLS ID 1025894. 3131 Camino Del Rio N 1100, San Diego, CA 92108. Licensed by the Department of Financial Protection & Innovation under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, License 4131356. These materials are not from HUD or FHA and the document was not approved by HUD, FHA or any Government Agency. Subject to credit approval. For licensing information, go to: www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org
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