important in my life, and I love learning,” she says. She has also embraced the integration of artificial intelligence into her business practices, amazed by its efficiencies and the power to create schedules for such duties as social media postings or reaching out to former clients with scheduled nurture emails. Making a Difference Konstantine feels she has made a difference in the lives of many people. There was the woman undergoing a divorce whose reverse mortgage prevented her from having to sell her home and who then saved her reverse mortgage line of credit of more than $40,000 for a rainy day. That rainy day arrived in the form of a $38,000 bill for a new roof—and she didn’t have to touch her retirement savings to pay for it. There was also the retired nurse whose savings were being eaten by veterinary bills for his beloved cat. Distressed by his financial demands, he decided to sell his condo and rent an apartment, but the real estate agent felt uncomfortable with that option, knowing the homeowner really did not want to leave his home of more than 20 years. That was when they called Konstantine. It meant getting a Federal Housing Administration spot approval for the condo project itself, but Konstantine was able to get it approved and get the client’s reverse mortgage so he and his cat could stay in their home. “He is so thrilled,” she says. “He said his stress level has gone down so much he thinks he’ll probably live another 20 years.” Konstantine’s CRMP, earned in 2020, helped seal her role as a trusted adviser and advocate for clients. The industry’s stamp of approval gives them the confidence to believe what she says. Plus, the CRMP’s strict ethical obligations provide assurance that she answers their questions with facts, not speculation. “When you’re talking to a CRMP, chances are, they’ve already either researched the question, or they’re going to research it,” she says. “And if something isn’t what they thought it was, they’ll be the first to tell you right away.” Getting Involved Outside work, Konstantine volunteers to deliver for Meals on Wheels. It’s a humbling experience that’s about more than feeding people. She is visiting unfamiliar neighborhoods, checking on the well-being of individuals who are shut-in and providing perhaps the only conversations they have in a day. “Most of these clients are in wheelchairs or walkers and can’t even get to the door,” she says. “They do understand what’s going on, but they have a lot of physical limitations. I feel blessed and fortunate every day that I’m able to go to the grocery store on my own and feed myself.” Konstantine also supports small businesses, shopping at farmers markets and buying local whenever she can. Since turning 65 and qualifying for Medicare, she enjoys the “awesome benefit” of regular gym visits through Silver Sneakers. When she can, she visits her daughter and grand-dog, a pug-boxer mix, in Montana. Thinking back on the impact she has made, she remembers her grandmother, who lived on a beach in La Jolla. No one in the family knew about reverse mortgages, and Konstantine’s mother had to sell the house and downsize to pay for her care expenses. Konstantine’s grandmother was confused and disoriented about the layout of her new, unfamiliar home, which gave Konstantine insight into why many people want to stay in their homes—simply because they have the confidence to navigate their familiar spaces. “My grandmother could have been a prime example,” she says. “If they had gotten a reverse mortgage, she could have stayed there, and they could have used the money to pay for her care.” Konstantine envisions a future where reverse mortgages gain prominence as valuable financial planning tools for seniors, for uses that include delaying Social Security benefits, eliminating existing mortgage payments or funding home modifications. “The more people that have CRMP credentials, the better, because they’ll be able to clearly articulate the advantages of reverse mortgages with local bankers, financial planners and realty agencies in a concise way that makes sense,” she says. “I have a positive outlook for the future of reverse mortgages and spreading the benefits. Together, we will elevate the industry.” M. Diane McCormick is a writer and editor based in York, PA. CRMP: Across the Kitchen Table REVERSE MORTGAGE / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 13
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