Elderly couple joyfully walking on the beach at sunset, holding hands. The woman raises her arms in delight, the ocean waves gently lapping at their feet.

If you own a second home in Oregon or Washington and you’re 55 or older (60+in WA), there’s a new financing option that could change how you approach retirement: the EquityPower second home mortgage. This proprietary retirement mortgage allows homeowners to access the equity in their second homes without taking on monthly mortgage payments: giving you…

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A senior couple and a businesswoman discuss paperwork at a kitchen table. The setting is bright and casual, conveying a friendly, professional tone.

Unexpected expenses can happen at any stage of life, but they can feel especially stressful when you’re older. Whether it is a medical bill, urgent home repair, or helping a family member in need, you may find yourself looking for fast access to cash. Many people turn to an emergency loan in these situations, but…

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Elderly couple sitting on a sofa, focusing intently. The man uses a laptop while the woman holds papers. The setting is a cozy living room.

If you are age 55 or older, your home equity is likely one of the most important assets you have. It represents decades of work, saving, and investment. That equity can be a powerful financial resource, providing funds for retirement, home improvements, medical expenses, debt consolidation, or simply creating a cushion for unexpected costs. The…

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A professional man in a blue shirt and tie smiles, holding papers, as he discusses with two seniors in an office. The mood is friendly and collaborative.

When most people imagine retirement, they picture a well-stocked investment portfolio, a steady Social Security check, and maybe some part-time income from passion projects. What’s often missing from the conversation? Home equity: the single largest asset for many retirees. Chris Kawashima, CFP®, a seasoned financial planner and equity compensation specialist at Charles Schwab, challenges the traditional…

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When it comes to discussing retirement plans, the question of affordability is often the question no one can answer. Whether a client is considering aging in place with in-home support or making the move to an assisted or independent living community, the financial puzzle can feel overwhelming. That’s why we created “Whisper“: a digital retirement calculator designed to simplify these…

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Elderly couple sitting together discussing charts on a table. The man points at a colorful graph, conveying collaboration. Bookshelves in the background.

The Freestone Family of Companies, a leader in mortgage lending, senior placement services, and aging-in-place solutions, is proud to announce the launch of “Whisper”, a groundbreaking digital tool designed to help older adults explore and compare retirement living options: quietly, safely, and without obligation. Whisper is an intuitive online calculator that allows users to privately…

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Close-up of hands pointing with a pen at graphs and charts on a table, suggesting a business meeting or discussion. The tone is collaborative and analytical.

When clients step into retirement, the greatest threat to their portfolio isn’t necessarily the stock market: it’s the order in which returns arrive. That’s the core concern behind sequence of returns risk, and it’s precisely what the Coordinated Withdrawal Strategy is designed to mitigate. Combining investment withdrawals with a reverse mortgage line of credit can reduce pressure on…

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A young professional woman discusses documents with an older couple in a bright office. The mood is collaborative and focused.

As a financial advisor, your role is to protect more than just portfolio performance: you’re safeguarding your clients’ peace of mind and long-term independence. But even the best-laid retirement plans can unravel without a proactive strategy to address today’s most overlooked threats to retirement security. Here are the six biggest threats to retirement security that every advisor…

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1. Reduce Tax Burden on Retirement Income Reverse mortgage funds are not considered taxable income. That makes them a smarter way to: Delay taxable IRA/401(k) withdrawals Lower Social Security taxation Avoid IRMAA surcharges on Medicare This coordination can improve after-tax income and extend portfolio longevity. 2. Silver Divorce Planning Reverse mortgages can provide financial stability…

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