Funding Bucket-List Travel with a Reverse Mortgage
By Tyler Plack
Tyler Plack is the President of South River Mortgage. Tyler holds an active FHA Direct Endorsement (DE) underwriting certification and is the author of The Retirement Solution: Maximizing Your BenefitTyler is a seasoned entrepreneur and real estate investor renowned for his expertise in reverse mortgages and his commitment to addressing seniors' equity challenges. Tyler brings a unique perspective to his ventures, having built several successful companies throughout his career. His insights are frequently sought by industry publications, where he is recognized for his vast knowledge in the realm of reverse mortgages.
An avid investor in income-producing properties, Tyler is dedicated to helping seniors navigate their financial needs with compassion and expertise. When Tyler is not helping solve America's retirement crisis, he is a skilled pilot flying airplanes for fun.
Retirement isn’t just about slowing down—it’s about finally having the time to do the things you’ve always dreamed of. For many retirees, that means travel.
Whether it’s a long-postponed trip to Europe, a cross-country RV adventure, or visiting family more often, travel often tops the “bucket list.” The challenge? Travel can be expensive, and fixed income doesn’t always stretch far enough to cover those dream trips.
That’s where a reverse mortgage can help.
Why Travel Costs Add Up
Airfare, hotels, tours, meals—it all adds up quickly. A two-week overseas trip can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars for a couple. Even domestic travel, like extended RV trips or cruises, comes with steady costs.
Covering these expenses from retirement savings or Social Security alone can feel risky—especially if you don’t want to deplete your nest egg too quickly.
How a Reverse Mortgage Can Help Fund Travel
If you’re 62 or older and own your home, a reverse mortgage allows you to tap into your home’s equity without taking on monthly mortgage payments. That money can then be used however you want—including travel.
Here’s why it works well for bucket-list adventures:
- Flexible payouts – Take a lump sum to pay for a big trip, or set up monthly payments to fund smaller, ongoing adventures.
- Preserve other savings – Instead of dipping into retirement accounts (and risking penalties or taxes), use equity you’ve already built.
- Peace of mind – Because reverse mortgages are non-recourse loans, you’ll never owe more than the home’s value, even if you outlive the loan balance.
Real-Life Example
Imagine your home is worth $500,000 and you qualify for $200,000 through a reverse mortgage. You could take $30,000 as a lump sum to pay for a dream trip to Italy, while leaving the rest as a line of credit for emergencies.
That way, you check the big adventure off your bucket list without jeopardizing your long-term financial security.
Travel Without the Worry
Retirement should be about experiences, not stress. A reverse mortgage can unlock the resources to make travel dreams a reality—whether that means a single trip of a lifetime or the freedom to travel more often.
At South River Mortgage, we help retirees use their home equity to create the retirement they’ve worked so hard for. If travel is on your list, a reverse mortgage could be the key to making it happen.
Ready to see how much equity you could use for your next adventure?
Click here to get your instant reverse mortgage quote
