We all know these are challenging times. You read the stories and see the news reports every day. It seems people of all economic levels are feeling the pinch. And as loan officers, we have seen our business change drastically. One segment of our industry has certainly changed....but not in the way you might think. It is literally off into the stratosphere. Opportunity abounds, and it's right in front of you. What, you haven't noticed? Take off your blinders, look around and you're bound to see it.

It's the reverse mortgage. Yes, this misunderstood, maligned by some, niche product has suddenly moved front and center. If you are looking for the prefect product at the perfect time... you have found it. The reverse mortgage is the product of choice for many of today's informed seniors and is being embraced by savvy loan officers everywhere who know a good product when they see it. Why this product and why now? Several reasons....first of all.... Do you know a senior who may have lost some of the value in their investment portfolio recently? Of course you do.....and what if that senior was depending on dividends for their monthly expenses? What if that senior has just retired from the work force and does not have the time to just "be patient and wait" while the market recovers? Seniors need your help and they need it now. Foreclosures among seniors are on the rise. Sad but true. The McClatchy Tribune in Akron Ohio recently reported a story of a 90 year old woman who was so distraut over her impending foreclosure that she shot herself. Tragic that this should happen. While this case may be extreme, there are many seniors struggling to make a mortgage payment. The reverse mortgage could be the answer for some of these people.

And while the reverse mortgage can be the perfect answer for seniors and loan originators alike, in these turbulent times, it is not a short term product. It is expected to enjoy steady growth over the next 20+ years as the baby boomers (all 78 million of them!) move toward retirement. If you are looking for a niche that will surely have staying power, you have found it. The silver tsunami is upon us, and you can reap the benefits.

Let's say you have committed to become the local reverse mortgage expert in your area....but you're not sure where to start. Don't fret, you are not alone. There seems to be a lot of mystery around the origination of this product for both loan officers and consumers. I even think there are some reverse mortgage originators out there who want you to think it's a difficult product, just so they can keep all the business to themselves. How utterly selfish. I refer you back to the 78 million baby boomers. There's plenty of room for all of us in this business. What could be holding you back? Think you can't do this? Of course you can! Think you don't know how to deal with seniors? You can learn. One loan officer told me he was afraid to do this because he thought all his clients would be like his cranky uncle when he was growing up. You know, I had to respect his concern, because that was his frame of reference. But once he got out there are used some of the techniques we discussed, he was wildly successful. Of course, as with any new venture, you need a road map. And you need guidance- you can attempt this alone, sure. But wouldn't it be better to move into this arena as part of a community, part of a group of like minded, never say die, success oriented individuals who are dedicated to this product and to helping our senior population? If you think so, I have good news.

In response to numerous requests, Jessika Ondrick and I have teamed up to offer the most comprehensive, practical, hands on boot camp available to loan originators who want to excel in this niche. If you are looking for a way to get quickly up to speed on the fastest growing niche the mortgage market has ever seen, you have found it, my friends. But be warned....this boot camp is not for lightweights....it is for success minded people who are open to new ideas and strategies and see the value of hearing it straight from people who are on the street originating reverse mortgages every day. No pretend experts here....you can get more info on this comprehensive 5 part boot camp by going to enrollme@loanofficersuccess.com. As I said, this is a comprehensive program-We have even built an on-going coaching program available to those who graduate from the boot camp. Hand holding all the way....we are not afraid to share what we know....we do not believe in keeping an opportunity like this all to ourselves. From scripting to marketing to lenders to what I consider to be the best kept secret in all of reverse world.....you'll get the straight scoop with practical ideas that will bring you business right from the start.

Visit Sue Haviland, CSA, founder of Reverse Mortgage Success at http://www.reversemortgagesuccess.com.