A Home for This Season with Harlan Accola

Mar 5, 2026

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Homes hold memories. They hold family history, meaning, and for many, a lifetime of love. But as we age, the very places that once felt secure can quietly become harder—and riskier—to live in.

Most homes in the U.S. were never designed for aging bodies. Yet many older adults feel emotionally and financially locked in. The result? Families delay important housing decisions until a crisis forces change.

Today, we were joined by Harlan Accola, who leads the reverse mortgage team at Movement Mortgage, about a lesser-known option that may help older adults move into safer homes—without taking on new required monthly payments.

The Hidden Danger: Falls at Home

Falls are far more common—and costly—than most people realize.

Roughly 30 million older Americans fall each year. About one in five of those falls results in serious injury, often leading to hospitalization. The direct medical costs alone total nearly $50 billion annually. But the emotional and lifestyle costs for families can be even greater.

What’s sobering is where these falls happen. Not in extreme situations—but in ordinary places:

Stairways
Bathrooms
Entryways
Narrow hallways

These everyday features become obstacles as mobility changes.

Why So Many Homes Don’t Fit Aging Adults

Most homes were built decades ago for young families in different stages of life. Only a small percentage include basic accessibility features such as:

Step-free entries
Main-floor bedrooms
Main-floor bathrooms
Wider doorways and hallways

As a result, stairs, tubs, and tight spaces often push older adults toward assisted living or nursing homes—not because they want to move, but because their homes no longer support their safety.

Why Many Families Feel “Stuck”

Even when homeowners recognize their house isn’t ideal anymore, they often hesitate to move.

There are two major reasons:

1. Emotional Attachment

This is the home where children were raised, and milestones were celebrated. Letting go isn’t easy.

2. Financial Lock-In

Many retirees either:

Have very low mortgage rates (2–3%), or
Own their homes outright

They worry that selling means taking on a new mortgage payment—something they might regret later in life. So they stay…often until something goes wrong.

A Little-Known Option: Reverse Mortgage for Purchase

Many people assume a reverse mortgage is only for accessing equity in their current home. But there’s another option: using a reverse mortgage at the point of purchase. Here’s how it can work:

A homeowner sells their current home.
They use the proceeds to purchase a new, safer home.
A reverse mortgage helps cover the difference.

For example:

Sell a $300,000 home.
Purchase a $500,000 home.
Use a $200,000 reverse mortgage for purchase.

The key distinction? No required monthly mortgage payments for as long as the homeowner lives in the home. That opens the door to:

Newer construction
Energy-efficient homes
Low-maintenance properties
Better design for aging in place

A Shift in Thinking: Prevention, Not Reaction

One of the wisest principles in Scripture is found in Proverbs 27:12: “The prudent see danger and take refuge.”

Housing decisions in later life should reflect that kind of prudence. Rather than waiting for:

A fall
A wheelchair
A medical emergency

Families can proactively ask: How can we use the housing wealth we’ve built to improve safety and quality of life—while we’re still healthy?

When purchasing a home for the “fourth quarter” of life, it shouldn’t just be your best home—it should be your safest home.

Stewarding Home Equity Wisely

Interestingly, two-thirds of retirees still carry a mortgage. Even when downsizing, some may still need financing. A reverse mortgage for purchase can allow retirees to:

Avoid required monthly payments
Preserve some cash for investments or future needs
Move into a safer home
Maintain flexibility

Like any financial tool, it isn’t right for everyone. But for some families, it may provide a path forward they didn’t realize existed.

Moving Forward

Housing is more than real estate—it’s stewardship. It’s about safety, dignity, and wise preparation for the season ahead.

If you’d like to learn more about whether a reverse mortgage for purchase could fit your situation, you can explore your options at Movement.com/Faith.

As with any major decision, seek wise counsel, pray for clarity, and take steps not just to protect your assets—but to protect your well-being.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

My grandfather set up 529 plans for my two older kids. If there’s money left after they graduate, can I transfer it to my younger daughter? And once she’s finished, could I split any remaining funds into separate accounts for each child’s future family?
I often hear advice to put 10% into precious metals for retirement. What’s your take—and is there a biblical perspective on that? Also, in retirement, when we’re living off savings, how should we think about tithing? Do we give 10% of what the nest egg produces?
After caring for my mom and losing my job, I’m nearly 50, $15,000 in debt, facing eviction, and starting over with no savings. What should I prioritize first?
My wife and I are newly married and plan to live full-time in an RV for ministry. We’ll live on my retirement income and use the remainder for spending. Should we manage that with cash, debit, or credit?

Resources Mentioned:

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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