The 30-Day Clock That Can Start When You Inherit a Home

Older Americans have never had more wealth tied up in their homes—and for many, that equity could provide a vital financial cushion in retirement.Homeowners 62 and older were sitting on a record $14.92 trillion in home equity in the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest NRMLA/RiskSpan Reverse Mortgage Market Index.“The rebound in senior housing wealth is encouraging news for older homeowners and underscores the important role home equity continues to play in retirement security,” says Steve Irwin, president of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association. “With senior home equity reaching another record level, many older Americans have greater financial flexibility to help address rising living expenses, healthcare costs, or other retirement needs.”But using that wealth in retirement can change what eventually reaches the next generation.Reverse mortgages allow older homeowners to tap into their home equity without selling the property, with the resulting debt generally becoming due when they sell, permanently move out, or die.For heirs, that can leave an unexpected complication: The family home may still contain substantial wealth, but it can also arrive with a loan ...