51.   Those steep costs are one reason the reverse mortgage loan is not generally suitable for short-term financing.

52.   Under a normal reverse mortgage, a homeowner is guaranteed a monthly stipend, usually until his or her death, in exchange for later rights to the house.

53.   Under federal rules, people seeking an FHA-insured reverse mortgage must be represented by an FHA-approved housing counselor.

54.   Two of the biggest companies offering large reverse mortgages in California are Transamerica Home First and Financial Freedom.

55.   Wealth and income play no role for borrowers obtaining reverse mortgages.

56.   With a reverse mortgage, homeowners can receive a monthly check instead of writing one by borrowing against the value of their houses.

57.   With a reverse mortgage, the lender sends payments to you, hence the name.

58.   You could approach your bank about what it might do for you on a reverse mortgage, but I doubt it would work.

59.   A reverse mortgage is essentially the mirror image of the traditional mortgage.

60.   But other retirees are taking reverse mortgages and using lump-sum proceeds to pay off their existing mortgages or home-equity loans.