For California homeowners age 62 and older, a reverse mortgage can be one of the most significant tools for turning years of built-up home equity into useful retirement income. With median home values in California running well above the national average, many retirees are sitting on substantial equity that a reverse mortgage can convert into a lump sum or monthly payments, all without adding a new monthly mortgage payment. However, not every lender provides the same terms or product lineup. Selecting the right company is just as important as selecting the right loan structure.
In this guide, we will discuss the top reverse mortgage companies serving California homeowners in 2026 along with what to know before you sign.
California Reverse Mortgage Rules to Know
California includes a few state-specific protections on top of the federal HECM program rules that every borrower should know before applying:
- Mandatory counseling wait period: Under California Civil Code Section 1923.2, a lender will not be able to take a completed application or gather any fees until seven days after the borrower completes HUD-approved reverse mortgage counseling.
- No annuity requirement: California law stops lenders from requiring a borrower to buy an annuity as a condition of getting a reverse mortgage.
- State licensing: Reverse mortgage lenders serving California must be licensed through the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) and, in a lot of cases, hold a California Department of Real Estate (DRE) license as well.
- 2026 HECM lending limit: The FHA-insured HECM loan limit for 2026 is $1,249,125. This applies statewide regardless of a home’s actual value. Homeowners with properties valued beyond this limit may require a proprietary jumbo reverse mortgage to have their full equity.
- Non-recourse protection: Reverse mortgages are non-recourse loans. This means a borrower or their heirs will never owe more than the home’s value at the time the loan becomes delinquent, even if the loan balance exceeds that value.
Top Reverse Mortgage Companies in California
1. Reliance Financial
Reliance Financial, operating as a DBA of Relfin, Inc., is a family-owned, privately operated mortgage lender headquartered in Dublin, California. Founded in 2004, the company has spent more than two decades building a reputation as a technology-driven lender that pairs modern loan processing with a personalized, advisor-led experience. Reliance Financial is licensed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act and holds an NMLS ID of 309198, along with additional state licenses that allow it to originate loans in Texas, Colorado, Michigan, Washington, Virginia, and Florida.
Reverse mortgages are one of several loan programs Reliance Financial offers alongside conventional mortgages, FHA and VA loans, jumbo financing, cash-out refinancing, and HELOCs. This breadth means the company can evaluate a borrower’s full financial picture and recommend whether a reverse mortgage, a HELOC, or another equity-access product is the better fit, rather than defaulting to a single product line. For California retirees specifically, Reliance Financial’s local presence and familiarity with high-cost markets such as the Bay Area make it well suited to structuring both FHA-insured HECM loans and jumbo reverse mortgage options for higher-value homes.
Why it stands out: A California-headquartered, family-run lender with two decades of experience and a full menu of mortgage products, giving borrowers a single point of contact for comparing reverse mortgages against other equity-access options.
Best for: California homeowners who want a locally based lender with broad loan expertise and a personalized advisory approach.
Website: reliancefinancial.com
2. All Reverse Mortgage, Inc. (ARLO)
All Reverse Mortgage, Inc., known for its ARLO quoting platform, is a HUD-approved direct lender that has focused exclusively on reverse mortgages since 2004. The company is based in California and is a member of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA). ARLO is frequently cited for its instant online quotes that don’t require a Social Security number or credit pull, and it has built a strong reputation among California borrowers for transparency around FHA-insured HECM loans as well as proprietary jumbo reverse mortgage programs for high-value homes.
Why it stands out: A singular focus on reverse mortgages, with tools that let borrowers compare loan estimates instantly before committing to an application.
Best for: Borrowers who want to shop rates and terms across multiple lenders through one instant-quote platform before choosing.
3. HighTechLending Inc.
HighTechLending is a California-based mortgage lender that has built a strong customer satisfaction record in the reverse mortgage space, including high marks from the Better Business Bureau and a low complaint volume relative to loan volume. The company offers HECM and proprietary reverse mortgage products and has positioned itself as a lender that emphasizes borrower education throughout the process.
Why it stands out: Consistently high customer satisfaction scores and a strong BBB rating among reverse mortgage lenders.
Best for: Homeowners who prioritize lender reputation and post-closing customer service.
4. Finance of America Reverse
Finance of America Reverse is one of the largest reverse mortgage originators in the country and offers both government-backed HECM loans and proprietary jumbo reverse mortgage products designed for homes that exceed FHA lending limits. The company operates broadly across California and has been recognized in national rankings as a strong all-around option for product variety and loan-amount flexibility, which matters in a state where home values often exceed the conforming HECM limit.
Why it stands out: Wide product range, including jumbo reverse mortgage options suited to California’s higher home values.
Best for: Owners of higher-value homes who may need a loan amount beyond standard FHA limits.
5. Longbridge Financial
Longbridge Financial is a national reverse mortgage lender known for offering a broad set of reverse mortgage structures, including standard HECM loans, HECM for Purchase, and proprietary jumbo products. The company has consistently ranked among the top lenders nationally for the variety of options it makes available to borrowers, which can be especially useful for California homeowners weighing a purchase-money reverse mortgage against a traditional cash-out structure.
Why it stands out: Strong product variety, including reverse mortgage options for homebuyers, not just existing homeowners refinancing.
Best for: Borrowers considering a HECM for Purchase to buy a new home using a reverse mortgage.
6. Guild Mortgage
Guild Mortgage is a full-service national lender headquartered in California with a large branch network across the state. In addition to conventional and government-backed forward mortgages, Guild offers reverse mortgage products and has been recognized in industry rankings for offering some of the more competitive average rates among reverse mortgage lenders.
Why it stands out: Competitive rates and an extensive California branch network for in-person service.
Best for: Borrowers who prefer working with a lender that has physical branch locations throughout California.
7. CrossCountry Mortgage
CrossCountry Mortgage has grown into the largest reverse mortgage lender in the country by loan volume, funding thousands of reverse mortgages annually according to government HECM data. The company offers a range of reverse mortgage products and operates nationally, including a significant presence in California.
Why it stands out: The largest reverse mortgage originator nationally by volume, reflecting scale and market experience.
Best for: Borrowers who want a high-volume, established lender with substantial reverse mortgage origination experience.
8. New American Funding
New American Funding is a national mortgage lender with an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and a strong customer review base. The company offers HECM reverse mortgages alongside its broader mortgage lending business and has a meaningful presence in the California market.
Why it stands out: Strong BBB accreditation and a large volume of customer reviews across major platforms.
Best for: Borrowers who want a well-reviewed, full-service lender for their reverse mortgage and other financing needs.
9. Fairway Independent Mortgage
Fairway Independent Mortgage is a large national lender with an A+ BBB rating and a well-established reverse mortgage division. The company is known for combining a broad loan officer network with digital tools that streamline the reverse mortgage application and counseling process.
Why it stands out: A large loan officer network paired with strong digital application tools.
Best for: Borrowers who want the option of working with a local loan officer while still using online tools to manage the process.
How to Choose the Right Reverse Mortgage Company?
With dozens of lenders competing for California borrowers, a few factors consistently separate the strongest options from the rest:
- Licensing and standing: Confirm the lender is DFPI-licensed and check its NMLS record for any regulatory actions or complaints.
- BBB rating and reviews: Look for an A+ Better Business Bureau rating along with a healthy volume of recent, verifiable customer reviews on Google, Trustpilot, or Yelp.
- Product range: If your home value exceeds the FHA HECM limit, prioritize lenders offering proprietary jumbo reverse mortgage programs.
- Rate transparency: Ask for a written, itemized quote early in the process, including origination fees, mortgage insurance premiums, servicing fees, and closing costs.
- Local expertise: A lender with California-specific experience will better understand high-cost market dynamics, state disclosure requirements, and local property tax considerations.
- Years in business and loan volume: Longevity and consistent origination volume are reasonable proxies for financial stability and process maturity.
Reverse Mortgage Loan Types Available in California
California lenders typically offer three broad categories of reverse mortgage products, and understanding the differences can help you narrow down which company is the right fit:
- Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM): The most common reverse mortgage type, insured by the FHA and available through HUD-approved lenders. HECM loans are subject to the federal lending limit and require mortgage insurance premiums.
- HECM for Purchase: Allows a borrower age 62 or older to buy a new primary residence using a reverse mortgage as the financing instrument, combining loan proceeds with a down payment from the sale of a previous home or other savings.
- Proprietary (Jumbo) Reverse Mortgages: Offered directly by private lenders rather than insured by the FHA, these loans allow borrowers with high-value homes, common throughout much of California, to access equity beyond the federal HECM limit, and some programs allow qualification as young as age 55.
The Bottom Line
California’s high home values make the state one of the most active reverse mortgage markets in the country, and that has drawn a strong field of experienced, well-reviewed lenders. Reliance Financial’s combination of local California roots, two decades of lending experience, and a broad product lineup makes it a strong first call for homeowners exploring their options, particularly for those who want a single advisor to compare a reverse mortgage against other equity-access strategies.
From there, lenders like All Reverse Mortgage, HighTechLending, Finance of America Reverse, Longbridge Financial, Guild Mortgage, CrossCountry Mortgage, New American Funding, and Fairway Independent Mortgage each bring their own strengths, whether that’s instant online quoting, jumbo loan capacity, branch access, or scale. Whichever lender you choose, take the time to compare written quotes, verify licensing through the DFPI and NMLS, and complete HUD-approved counseling before making a final decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for a reverse mortgage in California?
Homeowners must be at least 62 years old, occupy the home as their primary residence, and have sufficient equity, typically at least 50 percent, depending on the loan program.
How much can I borrow?
Loan amounts depend on the borrower’s age, current interest rates, and the home’s appraised value, up to the 2026 HECM limit of $1,249,125, or higher through a proprietary jumbo reverse mortgage.
Do I still own my home with a reverse mortgage?
Yes. The homeowner retains title to the property and remains responsible for property taxes, homeowners insurance, and maintenance.
What happens to the loan when I move or pass away?
The loan balance becomes due when the last surviving borrower sells the home, moves out permanently, or passes away. Because reverse mortgages are non-recourse loans, the amount owed will never exceed the home’s value at that time.
Is reverse mortgage counseling required in California?
Yes. Federal law requires HUD-approved counseling before applying, and California law adds a mandatory seven-day waiting period after counseling before a lender can accept a completed application or collect fees.
