Who Is Amanda LaRussa? Get to Know Your San Diego Reverse Mortgage Specialist

When you're thinking about a big decision with your home, like whether to stay, move, or tap into your equity, the person you talk to matters. You want someone who will explain things clearly, answer the phone, and never push.

Prefer to watch? See the video. It's a quick, fun Q&A.

So who am I? I'm Amanda LaRussa, a reverse mortgage specialist with Edge Home Finance here in San Diego. I focus on helping homeowners 62 and older, and their adult kids, understand their options, including the HECM for Purchase, a reverse mortgage you can use to buy a home.

I work with families across San Diego, especially in North County communities like Rancho Peñasquitos, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Carmel Mountain, and 4S Ranch. But numbers and loan rules are only part of the story. I recently sat down for a lighthearted get-to-know-me video, and I wanted to share a few of those answers here, along with what they say about how I work.

A few quick answers about me

We kept it short and simple. Here's a sample of the questions and my honest answers:

• Coffee or tea? Neither, really. But if I had to choose, coffee.
• Early bird or night owl? Night owl.
• Sweet or salty? Sweet.
• Beach or mountains? Beach, every time.
• Dogs or cats? Dogs.
• Favorite San Diego spot? The beach. Any beach, really.
• Heels or sneakers? Sneakers.
• Cooking at home or eating out? Both. I like to bake and cook, but I definitely enjoy a break and a meal out, too.
• What's always in my purse? Snacks. My kids are teenagers, and they still ask me for snacks.
• One thing I could never give up? Running. If I don't run, I get cranky.

My favorite way to spend a Saturday? These days my Saturdays are pretty packed. But when I get the chance, it's heading down to the beach for a run, then coming home and just relaxing.

What those answers say about how I work

A rapid-fire Q&A is just for fun. Still, a few of my answers line up with how I like to help people.

I still believe in a real phone call. I text a lot, like most of us. But I think phone calls are still really nice. When you're talking about your home and your future, it helps to hear a real voice and ask questions in your own words. If you'd rather talk than type, that works for me.

I plan, but I leave room for life. When I plan a vacation, it's about half planned and half go with the flow. Planning for this stage of life is a lot like that. It's smart to have a clear plan, but your needs can change. A good plan leaves some room to adjust.

I'm in it for the long run. Running is the one thing I could never give up. It keeps me steady. I try to bring that same steady pace to every conversation. Big money decisions shouldn't be rushed.

I keep a sense of humor. What makes me laugh every time? The frustrating things in life, because sometimes there's no other choice. Paperwork and loan rules can feel like a lot. I'll walk you through it calmly, and we might even laugh a little along the way.

What I help San Diego homeowners 62+ with

Here's the serious side. A reverse mortgage is a loan for homeowners 62 and older that lets you turn part of your home equity into money you can use, such as a lump sum, monthly payments, or a line of credit. The most common type is the HECM (you say it "heck-um"), which stands for Home Equity Conversion Mortgage. It's insured by the FHA, part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Here are the main things I help with:

• Staying in your home. Using a reverse mortgage to pay off a current mortgage, so there's no required monthly mortgage payment, or to add some breathing room to your budget.
• Buying your next home. A HECM for Purchase lets you sell, put money down on a new home, and have no required monthly mortgage payment on it.
• Comparing your choices. Laying out stay, sell and buy with cash, or sell and use a HECM for Purchase side by side.
• Including your family. Adult kids are always welcome in the conversation, so everyone hears the same information.

A few ground rules from HUD that I always share up front: at least one borrower must be 62 or older, and you must live in the home as your main residence. You'll also meet with a HUD-approved counselor before you apply. That step is built in to protect you. And there's no required monthly mortgage payment, but you must keep paying property taxes, homeowners insurance, and any HOA dues, and keep the home in good repair.

One more number that matters in a high-priced area like San Diego: for 2026, HUD set the HECM limit at $1,249,125, up from $1,209,750 in 2025. That's the highest home value a HECM can be based on.

What to do next

If you're starting to wonder whether your home still fits your life, you don't need all the answers today. Here's a simple way to begin:

1. Think about what you want the next five to ten years to look like.
2. Talk it over with the people who matter most, including your adult kids.
3. Get clear, no-pressure information before making any decision.

A good place to start is my free guide, Stay, Move, or Use Your Equity?. It walks you through a few plain questions to help you see which path might fit you best.

Or give me a call at 619-586-6196. You know I like a good phone call. I'm happy to listen, answer your questions, and help you sort through your options. And if you'd like to get to know me a little better first, watch the video here.

This article is for general education only and isn't tax, legal, or financial advice. Reverse mortgage borrowers must be 62+, occupy the home as their primary residence, and keep paying property taxes, homeowners insurance, and home maintenance. Amanda LaRussa, NMLS #2166834. Edge Home Finance Corporation, NMLS #891464. Equal Housing Opportunity.