Books by Austen Smith

Two books. Two systems.

One is the playbook for retirement equity strategy. The other is the system for building a referral-only business. Both are written the same way: plain English, real examples, zero fluff.

The Reverse Mortgage Playbook → Marketing by Referral →
The Reverse Mortgage Playbook by Austen Smith

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For homeowners 55+, their families, and their advisors. Shipped at no cost, answer 3 quick questions so we can send the right edition.

  • ✓ Paperback ships to a US address
  • ✓ Kindle option if you'd rather not wait
  • ✓ No follow-up sales push, just the book
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Now Available

The Reverse Mortgage Playbook

By Austen Smith · Education-first guide for homeowners 55+, families & advisors

Most of what people "know" about reverse mortgages is outdated. The program has been rebuilt over the last decade, and used strategically, it's one of the most powerful retirement tools available. This book is the plain-English playbook for understanding it.

What You'll Learn
How modern reverse mortgages function, and how the program has been overhauled since 2014
Tax-free cash from home equity, and the four ways to take it
Using HECM as a Social-Security-delay strategy
What happens to heirs (the answer surprises most families)
Real-world scenarios with line-by-line math
Frameworks for advisors and family members helping a parent evaluate the decision
Who It's For
Homeowners 55+ Adult children & families Financial advisors CPAs & estate attorneys Retirement planners
Request a Free Copy Buy on Amazon → Schedule a Consultation
Marketing by Referral by Austen Smith

Try the system free.

Stop Wasting Handshakes is the companion CRM for the book, the system Austen uses to turn one good conversation into a lifetime of referrals.

Try SWH Free →
Most Recommended

Marketing by Referral

The relationship system behind Stop Wasting Handshakes

A field guide for the LO, agent, advisor, or founder who knows the next breakthrough isn't a new ad channel, it's the conversations you're already having. Marketing by Referral turns the FORM Method into a system that scales.

What You'll Learn
The FORM Method: a four-question framework for any conversation that matters
How to follow up so it feels like a gift, not a pitch
A weekly cadence that compounds over years (not weeks)
Templates, scripts, and the relationship dashboard inside SWH
How to tier your network, and why most CRMs miss this entirely
Building a referral pipeline with zero paid ads and zero cold outreach
Who It's For
Real estate agents Loan officers Financial advisors CPAs & attorneys Solo founders & consultants Connectors & organizers
Buy the Book → Try SWH Free Listen to the Podcast

What Readers Say

Plain English. Real strategy.

★★★★★

"Most reverse mortgage info is either a sales pitch or a horror story. Austen's playbook is the first thing I've handed to my parents that they actually finished."

Brent O.
CPA · Austin TX
★★★★★

"I've been a top-producing agent for 12 years and I learned three new things in the first chapter of Marketing by Referral. The FORM Method is the most underrated framework in our industry."

Lisa M.
REALTOR® · Keller Williams Austin
★★★★★

"Both books read like Austen's actually trying to help, not sell. Refreshing in this industry. The playbook saved my mom $40K, and changed her relationship with money in retirement."

Sarah T.
Retired Educator · Round Rock

Want both?
Get the bundle.

One playbook for retirement equity strategy. One system for building a referral-only business. They're the manuals behind everything Austen does.

The Reverse Mortgage Playbook Marketing by Referral