Kristy Osborn - Fairway Mortgage

06/08/2026

Financial advisors and insurance professionals; this is a class worth putting on your calendar.

I’m excited to be one of the instructors for the Certified Home Equity Advisor (CHEA) Credential course, developed in collaboration with NAIFA. This is an 8-hour CE program focused on the ethical integration of housing wealth into retirement strategies for clients age 55+.

The Texas virtual class dates are July 28 and July 30, from 9:00 AM–1:00 PM CT each day.

What I love about this course is that it helps professionals look at retirement planning through a wider lens. For many older clients, home equity is one of their largest assets, but it is often left out of the planning conversation.

And a little NAIFA plug while I’m here: if you work in the financial or insurance industry and you’re not a NAIFA member, you may want to seriously consider it. Access to education, CE opportunities, industry connections, and resources like this class is a huge benefit.

Hope to see some familiar faces online!

06/04/2026

Many people have heard of a HECM, or reverse mortgage, but still feel unsure about how it actually works.

And honestly? That’s completely understandable. This product has a lot of moving parts, and there is a lot of outdated or incomplete information floating around.

That’s why I love having this resource available on my website. It gives homeowners and families a place to learn at their own pace, without having to talk to anyone before they’re ready.

It covers not just HECMs, but also different reverse mortgage options, ways funds can be accessed, how a line of credit works, common uses, costs, repayment, and what heirs should know.

The most important thing I tell people is this: don’t just learn about “a reverse mortgage.” Work with someone who fully understands the product, the strategy, and the various options that may or may not fit your situation.

Used thoughtfully, home equity can be an important part of a retirement income plan, but education comes first.

Here’s a great place to start:

This guide takes an in-depth look at reverse mortgages—home loans designed to help older homeowners and homebuyers put their home equity to work.

05/14/2026

I’ve been talking with REALTORS® about this for years… and now NAR is confirming it:

Adults ages 61–79 are driving today’s housing market.

This is a significant opportunity for agents who understand how to serve this demographic well.

These clients are often equity-rich, lifestyle-focused, and making strategic housing decisions for retirement.

It’s also why solutions like HECM for Purchase deserve more attention. For qualified buyers 62+, it can allow them to purchase a home without a required monthly mortgage payment.

This is the segment I work in most, and I see firsthand how impactful the right strategy can be.

If you’re interested in learning how to better work with this market, feel free to reach out. I’m always open to sharing ideas and having a conversation.

Find out which generation is leading the housing market from NAR’s 2026 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends report, which breaks down who’s buying and selling and the trends driving moves.

05/05/2026

Most people will spend more time planning a vacation than planning their retirement income… and that’s a little scary.

We might check our Social Security estimate… maybe glance at a 401(k)… and feel like we’ve “handled it.”

But retirement doesn’t work like that.

It’s not built on one number; it’s built on a full picture.

✔️ Social Security
✔️ Investments
✔️ Savings
✔️ Lifestyle goals
✔️ And yes… Home Equity

Here’s what I see all the time: one of the biggest assets people have 🏠their home🏠 is often completely left out of the conversation.

Not because it shouldn’t be used… but because it’s not even considered.

That’s like trying to finish a puzzle with a piece still sitting in the box.

Real planning means looking at how everything works together; not just focusing on one piece and hoping it all adds up.

So the question is…

Are you planning with all your assets in mind?

04/13/2026

I think one of the biggest misconceptions I hear is that a reverse mortgage is somehow “different” than a regular mortgage.

It’s not.

It’s still a loan. It still has terms. It still has to be paid back.

The difference is how it’s structured.

With this type of loan, you may not be required to make a monthly mortgage payment…but here’s the part most people don’t realize:

👉 You can make payments if you want to.

Some people choose to make payments.
Some choose not to.
Some do a mix depending on the season of life they’re in.

That flexibility is what makes it so powerful, especially for someone on a fixed income, or someone trying to make a move in retirement without adding financial pressure.

I just recorded a short video explaining how this works when buying a home.

Because a lot of people think they’re stuck…
when really, they just haven’t seen all their options yet.

Can you use a reverse mortgage to buy a home? Yes — both a HECM for Purchase and certain proprietary (jumbo) reverse mortgage products allow eligible homeown...

03/16/2026

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had conversations with homeowners who assume their family already understands what will happen to the house someday.

But when it comes to real estate, assumptions and good intentions don’t transfer ownership. Property title only transfers through the proper legal process and recorded documents. Without those steps, families can face delays, legal complications, or even problems selling the home.

In this episode of Legacy Years: Finding Fun, Wisdom & Purpose, I sit down with Mike Vullo, known by many as the grandfather of title in North Texas, to talk about how property title actually passes from one generation to the next.

We cover:
🏠 What “clear title” really means
📜 What happens when someone dies with or without a will
⚖️ Probate explained in plain English
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Common problems families run into when inheriting property

If you own a home or expect to inherit one someday, this conversation is incredibly important.

Watch the episode here:

Many homeowners assume their family “knows the plan” for the house, but without the proper legal steps, property title may not transfer the way they expect. ...

01/08/2026

Many veterans don’t realize they may be able to receive care outside the VA; and still have it covered.

In this episode of Legacy Years, I’m joined by Niki Rodolico, whose work with Home Instead has given her deep familiarity with the Community Care Network. She helps veterans access home services they need by using the CCN program and shares what families should know about how the process works.

If you or someone you care for is a veteran who needs support at home, this conversation offers helpful insight into available options.

🎧 The episode is live now.

Many veterans don’t realize they may be able to receive care outside the VA—and still have it covered. In this episode, we explain how veterans can access ca...

12/17/2025

I posted a new video today about something I wish more people knew:

Waiting too long can make a reverse mortgage harder, or sometimes impossible, even when you technically “qualify.”

Most people don’t realize that recent credit history (not your score!), a sudden drop to one income, or hitting a financial deadline can trigger extra requirements like a LESA. And that can completely change how the numbers work.

The truth is simple:
The best time to explore a reverse mortgage is when you still can… not when you’re in a financial fire drill.

If you’ve got aging parents, or you’re planning for your own retirement, this video might save you from a really tough moment later.

And yes… before you click… I’m fully aware the YouTube thumbnail looks like it was chosen by a mischievous raccoon.
I have no idea why YouTube insists on capturing me mid-blink, mid-gulp, mid-lip raise (who knew I could do that), or all three at once.
We’re just gonna embrace it.

Here’s the video—awkward thumbnail and all.

Reverse mortgage timing matters. In this video, I explain why qualifying for a HECM depends on more than credit score—credit history, financial assessment, a...

12/12/2025

Big News for 2026 Reverse Mortgages (And What It Really Means for You)

FHA just raised the 2026 reverse mortgage (HECM) limit to $1,249,125; the 10th year in a row it’s gone up!

Now, before anyone thinks that number is what they receive, here’s the real scoop:

That figure is not the amount a homeowner gets.
It’s simply the maximum home value FHA will consider when calculating how much equity someone can access. The actual amount depends on things like age and the interest rate at the time.

And if your home is worth more than the limit, it doesn’t mean a HECM is off the table. Sometimes a proprietary reverse mortgage is the right tool. Sometimes a HECM gives better long-term benefits. It all depends on what someone is trying to accomplish:

Eliminate a mortgage payment
Increase monthly cash flow
Plan for future care
Create flexibility for aging in place

Every homeowner has a different story, and the solution should fit their needs, never the other way around.

Here’s where we come in:
Understanding these products deeply is essential to using home equity wisely as part of a retirement plan. Our team eats, sleeps, and breathes this stuff so clients don’t have to.

If you’re curious what the new limit might mean for you or your family, we’re always here to walk through the options; pressure-free and in plain English.

12/11/2025

Most of my podcast episodes feature amazing guests who serve older adults in different ways.

But this week… Sabra and I flipped the script.

We sat down to talk about the work we do every day with homeowners in their 60s, 70s, and 80s and how one conversation can completely change someone’s feeling about their future.

We tried to stay focused on the reverse mortgage line of credit (really, we did!), but when you love this stuff as much as we do, you can’t help wandering into all the ways it can reduce stress, create options, and bring a little peace of mind.

If you’ve ever wondered what these loans actually look like in real life - not the myths, not the headlines - this episode is a great place to start.

🎙️ Listen here: https://youtu.be/5fADT4pQzDU

And if something you hear gets your wheels turning, just reach out. I’m always happy to talk through it.

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) lines of credit are one of the most powerful retirement planning tools available to homeowners 62 and older. In this e...