Tag: Financial Clarity
What You’ve Heard About Reverse Mortgages Is Probably Wrong Part II with Mike Brouse (Ep. 10)

What You’ve Heard About Reverse Mortgages Is Probably Wrong Part II with Mike Brouse (Ep. 10)

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When it comes to retirement, many homeowners feel stuck—either emotionally tied to their homes or financially strapped with limited options. In this powerful Part Two of the reverse mortgage conversation, Mark Taylan sits down again with reverse mortgage specialist Mike Brouse to go beyond the mechanics and into the impact.

From the heartfelt story of Bonnie, who used a reverse mortgage to stop working, repair her home, and reconnect with family before passing, to strategic conversations about right-sizing homes and preserving equity, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating retirement planning.

Here’s what you can expect from part II of this episode:

  • How reverse mortgages help retirees live, not just survive
  • The emotional and financial power of staying in your home
  • Why right-sizing is better than downsizing
  • What happens to your reverse mortgage when you pass away
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Mark Taylan: 

Connect with Mike Brouse:

About Our Guest: 

With 24 years of experience in the mortgage industry, including senior leadership roles, Mike has dedicated the past five years to specializing in reverse mortgages. His passion lies in helping retirees and older homeowners unlock financial stability and security through strategic home equity solutions.

Throughout his career, he has led teams, driven growth, and navigated the evolving mortgage landscape with a commitment to integrity and client-focused solutions. He believes in educating homeowners, financial professionals, and industry partners about the benefits of reverse mortgages, ensuring they have the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions.

If you’re looking for a trusted resource in the reverse mortgage space—whether as a client, financial advisor, or industry peer—Mike welcomes the opportunity to connect and explore how he can help.

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What You’ve Heard About Reverse Mortgages Is Probably Wrong Part I with Mike Brouse (Ep. 9)

What You’ve Heard About Reverse Mortgages Is Probably Wrong Part I with Mike Brouse (Ep. 9)

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Reverse mortgages carry a lot of baggage, misconceptions, fear, and outdated assumptions. 

But what if they could actually be a powerful financial tool to help you stay in your home, fund your lifestyle, or protect your retirement income?

In this episode, Mark Taylan is joined by reverse mortgage specialist Mike Brouse, who brings two decades of experience and a deeply personal story to the conversation. From working with his own in-laws to helping families across California, Mike breaks down what reverse mortgages are (and what they’re not) with clarity, humor, and heart.

You’ll learn why reverse mortgages are no longer a “last resort,” how they fit into a broader retirement strategy, and the truths behind the biggest myths, including who really owns the home, what happens when you move or pass away, and how the loan balance grows over time.

What to expect:

  • A breakdown of common reverse mortgage myths
  • How the product actually works, month-to-month
  • Why financial advisors are rethinking this strategy
  • The risks of ignoring home equity in retirement planning
  • And more!

Connect with Mark Taylan: 

Connect with Mike Brouse:

About Our Guest: 

With 24 years of experience in the mortgage industry, including senior leadership roles, Mike has dedicated the past five years to specializing in reverse mortgages. His passion lies in helping retirees and older homeowners unlock financial stability and security through strategic home equity solutions.

Throughout his career, he has led teams, driven growth, and navigated the evolving mortgage landscape with a commitment to integrity and client-focused solutions. He believes in educating homeowners, financial professionals, and industry partners about the benefits of reverse mortgages, ensuring they have the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions.

If you’re looking for a trusted resource in the reverse mortgage space—whether as a client, financial advisor, or industry peer—Mike welcomes the opportunity to connect and explore how he can help.

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Love, Legacy, and Legal Clarity: Why Every Couple Should Talk Prenups with Yau Lee (Ep. 8)

Love, Legacy, and Legal Clarity: Why Every Couple Should Talk Prenups with Yau Lee (Ep. 8)

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Bringing up a prenup doesn’t have to kill the romance. It can actually create a stronger foundation.

In this episode, Mark Taylan welcomes back Yau Lee, a family attorney based in San Francisco, to talk about the emotional, legal, and financial aspects of premarital agreements. They discuss how to approach the prenup conversation with compassion, what to avoid, and how planning ahead can strengthen, not hinder, a couple’s relationship.

Yau debunks common myths (like “prenups are only for the wealthy”), offers real client stories, and explains the importance of legal consultation for both parties, especially in second marriages or blended family situations. The episode highlights how early and honest communication about finances and legacy planning can be a sign of trust and commitment, not conflict.

Yau discusses:

  • How to bring up a prenup in a way that builds trust instead of breaking it
  • What changes when couples bring unequal assets, children, or prior marriages into the equation
  • Why each partner needs their own legal counsel and what mistakes to avoid
  • How estate planning and divorce protection differ (and why both matter)
  • What a successful, respectful prenup process actually looks like from first conversation to signed agreement
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Mark Taylan: 

Connect with Yau Lee

About Our Guest:

Yau Lee is a Partner and Mediator at Nachlis | Cohade | Lopez-Whitaker, LLP. She practices all aspects of Family Law. Though she is a fierce litigator, she finds that it is always a defining moment when she can settle cases without going to trial because she truly believes that it is in the best interest of her client in terms of cost and efficiency. Her dedication to this result has yielded 95 percent of her cases to be settled out of court. Her advocacy happens in the pleadings and negotiations with the opposing counsel. Laying out a thoughtful argument in writing is one of the strongest negotiating tools that she can use to convince the opposing counsel that it is more of a risk to take the case to court.

Yau understands that Family law matters are inherently emotionally charged, and it is important in her approach to not fire up more drama or tension. Emotions won’t get a case heard any better or keep it out of court. Instead, she focuses on how the case aligns with the law and crafts a creative agreement that jointly meets the needs of her clients and the opposing party. Although difficult, she is always honest with her clients about the strategic need to work with the opposing side. Her clients appreciate her strong interpersonal communication skills, responsiveness, and ability to actively listen.

Yau is also an endurance athlete, having participated in more than 10 marathons and six half Ironman distance triathlons. Training for and racing these events has given her the fortitude to remain calm in stressful situations, think on her feet, make predictions, trust the process, and plan for success. Swimming in the open ocean with 14-foot swells or gunning down a hill on your bike at more than 40 miles per hour will give you nerves of steel.

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How to Prepare for Life Without a Spouse (Ep. 6)

How to Prepare for Life Without a Spouse (Ep. 6)

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Losing a spouse isn’t just an emotional blow; it’s a shift in everything you’ve known and planned for. 

In this episode of Beyond the Dollar Signs, Mark Taylan shares insights from his years of sitting across the table from couples, families, and individuals navigating the complexities of grief. 

It’s about allowing yourself to grieve, not rushing into decisions, and understanding that if you’ve planned, you can find some peace of mind. Mark walks through the key steps you need to take, both emotionally and financially, when a spouse passes: from understanding income changes and revisiting estate plans to knowing who your support system is. 

He shares why it’s critical to have these conversations before loss strikes, because when it does, it’s hard to think clearly. And for those stepping into his office for the first time after a loss, Mark offers steady guidance: take care of what’s immediate, breathe, and know there’s no rush. 

What to expect from this episode:

  • How to prepare for loss before it happens—practically and emotionally
  • What to focus on right now after losing a spouse
  • The importance of family conversations and identifying a support system
  • Why having a financial plan in place brings peace of mind
  • And more!

Connect with Mark Taylan: 

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