Resources & articles

A little understanding can change the conversation.

Start with an article, explore the interactive guide, or bring a question to Troy. Resources for your next home, retirement, and divorce housing decisions.

Interactive guides Complete your planning questionnaire Loan program library Videos & conversations Resources for divorcing families Mortgage planning questions

Interactive guide library

Choose the conversation you’re preparing for.

Open either guide at your own pace. Each one lives on Troy’s LendSightAI resource page and opens in a new tab.

For buyers & homeowners considering a refinance

Borrow Smart. Repay Smarter.

Explore safety, liquidity, interest, taxes, leverage, and a seven-step framework for making a more deliberate borrowing decision.

Open the Borrow Smart guide

By Todd K. Ballenger · BorrowSmart University. Shared as part of Troy’s CLA®-informed mortgage-planning resources.

Cover of Borrow Smart Repay Smarter, Consumer Edition

For homeowners, families & caregivers

The Simple Guide to Reverse Mortgages

Work through the fundamentals of reverse mortgages using plain-language chapters, examples, and interactive calculators.

Open the reverse mortgage guide

By Todd K. Ballenger · BorrowSmart University. Educational content is not individualized financial advice.

Cover of The Simple Guide to Reverse Mortgages

Articles & updates

Home financing

Before you shop for a home, start with your plan.

A useful first conversation goes beyond the purchase price. Bring your goals, questions, and a realistic picture of your monthly budget.

Read: Before you shop for a home, start with your plan.By Troy Martin · 3 min read

Reverse mortgages

Where does home equity fit in your retirement conversation?

Start with the planning question, then evaluate whether a reverse mortgage belongs among the possible answers.

Read: Where does home equity fit in your retirement conversation?By Troy Martin · 3 min read

Divorce mortgage planning

Before agreeing who keeps the home, ask how the financing will work.

A proposed settlement is more useful when the mortgage questions have been explored while there is still time to adjust the plan.

Read: Before agreeing who keeps the home, ask how the financing will work.By Troy Martin · 3 min read

Plan beyond the application

The Mortgage Concierge Program includes questions about your goals, comfortable payment, future expenses, cash reserves, and professional team.

Explore the planning questions

Professional credentials & resources

Troy’s CDLP® profileDivorce Lending Association
Troy’s CLA® profileNational Institute of Financial Education
About the CRMP designationNational Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association
CFPB reverse mortgage education

These guides are educational resources. Mortgage programs, eligibility, costs, and planning considerations vary by person, property, lender, and market conditions. Contact Troy to review your own circumstances.