Option Funding, Inc.

10/28/2026

When the Monthly Income Doesn’t Stretch Far Enough

I hear it from homeowners across Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties: medicine, groceries, and utilities keep climbing, but the monthly income stays the same. That worry is real, and there’s no reason to feel embarrassed.

For some older homeowners, a reverse mortgage may be worth a look. Depending on your situation, it can pay off an existing mortgage, which removes that required monthly principal-and-interest payment, or provide a reserve for everyday costs. You still must pay your property taxes and keep your home insured and well maintained.

That’s why I like to come to your home, sit down, and go through the numbers with you. Bring your questions and your family or financial advisor, too.

Call me at 805-304-3574 for a free, no-pressure consultation.

Lorraine Jones, CSA, Reverse Loan Consultant | NMLS #229025 | DRE #00880390 | Option Funding, Inc., NMLS #163400

10/22/2026

Despite some rain, many people attended the Ventura County Homecare Association meeting at the beautiful Spanish Hills Country Club in Camarillo.

Three guest speakers, representing Ventura Memorial, St. John's, and Los Robles Hospitals, shared information about new programs to assist individuals in their transition from being hospitalized to returning home, updates on recognizing strokes and what immediate action should be taken (don’t drive yourself to the hospital), and resources for individuals who are experiencing cancer.

The information was interesting, informative, and well presented. It is reassuring to know that, for those of us who live in Ventura County, we have options for care, information, and support when we need them.

Here I am with Marianne Knight ( Placement Services) and Denise Carter representing Mission Healthcare

09/25/2026

I am a 3rd-generation Californian, thanks to my two sets of grandparents who immigrated from Ireland and France. I have lived my entire life here and have not experienced the "four seasons" that other parts of the country do.

I am here to say: California also has them, too. In Southern California, where I live and work, they are more subtle, but I know when fall has arrived.

It is my favorite time of year: the trees are changing colors, the sunlight has grown softer and more slanted, and the days are shorter.

What is your favorite time of the year, and where were you born?

09/23/2026

Given these inflationary times and the uncertainty of financial futures, maybe it is time for some senior homeowners to research reverse loans and consider whether it makes sense to apply for one.

Here are some reasons to "think about".

Protection from sequence-of-returns risk. Selling investments to fund living expenses during a market downturn locks in losses and can permanently shrink a portfolio. A reverse mortgage, especially a HECM line of credit, lets a retiree draw on home equity in down years while the portfolio recovers.

Generally tax-free proceeds. Reverse mortgage funds are treated as loan proceeds, not income. Unlike withdrawals from a traditional IRA or 401(k), or sales of appreciated assets, they typically don't trigger income tax or capital gains. That can also help avoid pushing a senior into a higher bracket, increasing the taxable portion of Social Security, or triggering higher Medicare premiums.

No required monthly loan payments. The borrower keeps living in the home without making principal-and-interest payments. The loan is generally repaid when the last borrower sells, moves out permanently, or passes away, which can ease monthly cash flow in retirement.

A growing credit line. With a HECM line of credit, the unused portion grows over time, so available funds can increase even if home values stagnate. This can act as a flexible reserve for healthcare, home repairs, or long-term care costs.

Preserving portfolio assets and legacy. Leaving investments intact lets them keep compounding and remain available for heirs or emergencies. HECMs are also non-recourse, so the borrower or heirs never owe more than the home's value when the loan is repaid.

08/05/2026

Today I came across the term "The Great Stay"; it applies across the age spectrum of homeowners, but it particularly refers to senior homeowners, because they don't wish to sell their home and move.

Put together: seniors "aging in place" longer, combined with today's mortgage lock-in effect, compounds the inventory problem. Homes that would traditionally have cycled to younger families through downsizing or estate turnover are staying occupied longer, which is part of why housing economists point to "The Great Stay" as a drag on inventory — homeowners have cheap mortgages and high equity, so they have little incentive to sell, and buyers are correspondingly reluctant to buy, meaning no one wants to move.
Altosresearch

So the term isn't senior-specific in origin, but seniors are one of the clearest examples of the behavior it describes — postponed downsizing being a major piece of why housing has felt so "stuck" in recent years.

08/04/2026

Navigating Veterans' Affairs is daunting and confusing, and too many Veterans and their families are missing out on some benefits that may be available to them.

Especially if the Veteran is a senior and needs assistance. I have provided a link in this post for them and their families to explore what is offered to them and possibly find aid and help for those who need it.

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

07/13/2026

This past week was filled with several professional commitments, one of which was hosted by Home Helpers with a Luau theme. They are one of the oldest agencies assisting seniors and their families with a range of services to make life easier for everyone.

Here I am with Jackie McMc Mahon. She has a very long history of experience with seniors and caregiving and is now the COO with Home Helpers.

06/18/2026

I spent an enjoyable day yesterday at the quarterly luncheon held by Ventura County Homecare Association. The members of this non-profit provide a range of services to seniors and their families throughout the County and beyond.

Yesterday, the guest speakers spoke about alternative options for seniors and their health. There are too many to mention here, but all were interesting, and the speakers were excellent.

06/11/2026

I have a question for all my fellow "Boomers". Do you feel that your brain functions are a bit slower than they used to be? Read this short article from Lumosity, the online "brain" training website.

"By 60, some cognitive systems have slowed, but other systems are at peak. Vocabulary continues to grow into the 70s. Emotional regulation strengthens. Pattern recognition, drawing on decades of stored experience, gets faster and more accurate, even when raw processing speed has dropped.

This is why a retired teacher can read a room of students in the first thirty seconds. Why your grandmother's read on a family conflict cuts straight to the truth while everyone else is still arguing the surface. The depth of pattern recognition built up over a lifetime can outperform raw cognitive horsepower in any context where experience matters. Older brains aren't just younger brains running slower. They're running on a different mix."

06/04/2026

This is what "80" years old looks like. I have always made exercise a priority, including hiking, weight training, Pickleball, and power walking. And I still have time to help my fellow Boomers with information about Reverse loans, and if they apply, be their "tour guide" through the process.