California is home to some of the most valuable residential real estate in the world. In markets like the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego, home values routinely exceed $1.5 million, $2 million, and far beyond. The federal HECM program caps the loan amount at the FHA lending limit, which leaves a significant portion of your equity completely untapped. A Jumbo Reverse Mortgage is the private, non-FHA product designed specifically to solve that problem.
Available Proceeds
Minimum Age in Select Programs
Monthly Payment Required
Reverse Mortgage Specialist
A Jumbo Reverse Mortgage, sometimes called a proprietary reverse mortgage, is a privately issued loan that allows homeowners to convert a much larger portion of their home equity into cash than the government-backed HECM program permits. You access your equity, make no monthly payments, keep your home, and the loan comes due when you sell, permanently move out, or pass away. The difference is that there is no government-imposed lending cap.
The HECM is excellent and the right fit for millions of California seniors. But it is capped. In 2026, the FHA lending limit is $1,249,125. If your California home is worth $1.8 million, a HECM only calculates your proceeds based on that federal limit, not your actual home value. A Jumbo Reverse Mortgage uses your real appraised value to calculate how much equity you can access, which can result in dramatically larger proceeds.
These are private products offered through select lenders and are not insured by the FHA. They can be an outstanding solution for California homeowners in premium markets who have watched their home values rise for decades and want to put that wealth to work.
Your available proceeds are calculated against your actual home value, not the federal limit.
Not FHA-insured; offered through select approved lenders specializing in high-value properties.
You and your heirs will never owe more than the home's appraised value at the time of sale.
Required for as long as you continue to live in the home as your primary residence.
Qualifying for a jumbo reverse mortgage is more straightforward than most people expect. Your home’s value and your equity position are the most important factors.
The youngest borrower on title must meet the minimum age requirement. Many jumbo programs start at age 55 — a meaningful advantage over the HECM's 62-year minimum.
The property must be where you actually live. Vacation homes, second homes, and investment properties do not qualify under any jumbo program currently available.
Most jumbo programs are designed for homes valued above the 2026 FHA lending limit of $1,249,125. Some programs begin at $1 million. The higher your value, the more equity you can access.
Most programs require at least 40 to 50 percent equity. For long-term California homeowners in premium markets, this is rarely a barrier.
Jumbo programs require a more thorough review of your credit history and your ability to maintain property taxes and insurance. Most California homeowners with standard retirement income move through this cleanly.
Single-family homes and warrantable condominiums qualify for most programs. Some lenders approve 2 to 4 unit properties where the borrower occupies one unit. Manufactured homes may face additional requirements.
The most important driver of your jumbo reverse mortgage proceeds is your home's appraised value. California homeowners in premium markets often sit on equity that most of the country simply cannot match. That is exactly what this program is built for. The two things that matter most in calculating your proceeds are your age and your home's appraised value. Older borrowers access a higher percentage of their equity.
Typical Bay Area / LA Home Value
Minimum in Select Programs
Maximum Proceeds Available
California Counties We Serve
One of the best features of a jumbo reverse mortgage is flexibility. You are not locked into a single format. You choose how to receive your funds based on your life and your retirement goals.
Receive all available proceeds at closing at a fixed interest rate. Best for paying off an existing mortgage or covering a large one-time expense. Fixed Rate
Draw funds whenever you need them. In select jumbo programs, unused credit continues to grow over time — a benefit very few financial products offer. Most Flexible
Receive a fixed amount every month — for a set term or for life. Like a private pension funded entirely by the equity you have already built. Like a Paycheck
Mix two or more options. Take a lump sum at closing and keep a line of credit for future needs. The most commonly requested structure among California jumbo borrowers. Most Popular
Interest accumulates on your outstanding balance over time and gets added to the total amount owed. But you never write a monthly check. The interest builds in the background while your life continues completely as normal. When the loan comes due, it is settled from the sale of the home — and any equity remaining goes entirely to you or your heirs.
California has eight of the ten most expensive residential real estate markets in the United States — and the higher your home value, the more equity a Jumbo can unlock. The federal HECM program was designed for the national average. We live and work here.
San Francisco Bay Area
$1.2M – $1.8M+
Los Angeles County
$800K – $1.2M+
San Diego
$850K – $1.1M
Orange County
$900K – $1.3M
Beverly Hills / Malibu / La Jolla
$2M – $5M+
Sacramento
$550K – $700K
Inland Empire
$500K – $650K
Central Valley
$400K – $550K
This is a benefit almost no national reverse mortgage company ever talks about. Under Proposition 13, your property taxes are capped at your home's original purchase price and can only increase by a maximum of 2% per year — no matter how much your market value has risen. A Jumbo Reverse Mortgage does not trigger a property tax reassessment. Your Prop 13 protections stay completely intact. You could have bought in Beverly Hills in 1988 for $400,000, and today your home might be worth $3 million — a Jumbo Reverse Mortgage does not change your tax base in any way.
For California homeowners, the numbers can be genuinely life-changing. Because jumbo programs use your actual appraised home value, proceeds are often significantly larger than what a HECM would provide.
| YOUR AGE | HOME VALUE | EST. PROCEEDS |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | $1,500,000 | $580,000 – $680,000 |
| 65 | $2,000,000 | $840,000 – $960,000 |
| 70 | $2,500,000 | $1,100,000 – $1,300,000 |
| 75 | $3,000,000 | $1,450,000 – $1,650,000 |
| 80 | $4,000,000 | $2,100,000 – $2,400,000 |
These are illustrative estimates only. Your actual proceeds depend on current interest rates and a formal property appraisal. Call us at (888) 887-0492 for a personalized calculation based on your specific home and situation.
For homes in that range, a standard HECM can sometimes result in similar or higher proceeds depending on your age and current rates — while also providing the added protection of FHA insurance. We offer both programs and show you a side-by-side comparison.
We believe in being completely upfront. A Jumbo Reverse Mortgage is an excellent fit for many California homeowners — but like any financial decision, you should understand both the protections and the responsibilities before signing anything.
If your loan balance ever exceeds what your home sells for, you and your heirs owe nothing more. The lender absorbs the difference, not your family.
Your name stays on the title for the entire life of the loan. The lender places a lien on the property, just as a standard mortgage does, but the home is yours completely.
Jumbo reverse mortgages are not FHA-insured, but they are subject to California state lending regulations and federal consumer protection laws. We work exclusively with established lenders with a long track record.
Heirs receive a defined period to decide: sell the home, refinance the balance, or walk away, knowing the non-recourse clause protects them from any personal obligation. No surprise bills. No personal debt passed on.
California families served
Home equity unlocked
Approval rate
Foreclosures in our history
A Jumbo Reverse Mortgage removes your monthly mortgage payment. You remain responsible for the same obligations that come with owning any California home. Many clients set aside a portion of their proceeds specifically to cover these costs.
Property taxes (protected at your current low rate under Prop 13)
Homeowners insurance
Basic home maintenance and upkeep
Most people expect this to be slow and complicated. With the right guidance, it almost never is. Our average closing time in California is 30 to 60 days from application.
We review your home value, your age, your financial goals, and every question you have. We model both the Jumbo and HECM options side by side. No pressure, no obligation.
We identify the specific jumbo program that fits your home value, age, and goals and guide you through the full application. Most clients find this step much lighter than expected.
A lender-approved appraiser visits your California property and establishes its current market value. This appraisal is the most important number in your loan — it directly determines your available proceeds.
We review your credit profile and your demonstrated ability to maintain taxes and insurance. We prepare you for this step in advance so there are no surprises along the way.
Your complete file — appraisal, financial documentation, and title history — is submitted to underwriting for final approval. We stay in close contact throughout this stage.
Documents are signed — often at your California home via mobile notary. A rescission period applies. Funds are disbursed after that period. Your mortgage payment is gone and your equity is working for you.
Most people think there is only one reverse mortgage option. But California homeowners often qualify for both — and the right choice depends entirely on your home’s value, your age, and your goals.
For homes valued above $1.5 million, a Jumbo Reverse Mortgage typically results in significantly larger proceeds because there is no federal lending cap. For homes valued between $1 million and $1.5 million, a HECM can sometimes deliver comparable or even higher proceeds while also carrying FHA insurance. We model both options side by side so you can see exactly what each puts in your hands before making any decision.
When the Jumbo is likely the better choice: Your California home is valued significantly above $1.5 million You are between 55 and 62 and want to move before the HECM age threshold Maximizing available proceeds is your primary goal
When the HECM is likely the better choice: Your home is valued between $1 million and $1.5 million FHA insurance and stronger consumer protections are a priority You want the growing line of credit feature the HECM offers
Minimum Age
55 in select programs
Loan Cap
None — uses actual home value
Monthly Mortgage Payment
None required
Best For
Homes $1.5M and above
FHA Insurance
Not included
Eligible Properties
Any CA primary residence
Real answers to the questions California homeowners ask us most — before and after they call.
You built something real over the decades you have owned your California home. Now it is time for that home to work for you. The consultation is free, there is no obligation, and we will never pressure you into a decision that is not right for your situation.
243 S Escondido Blvd Suite 2004
Escondido, CA 92025
(888) 887-0492
Mon to Fri 8 AM to 6 PM
contact@californiareversemortgage.us
