Your California home is worth around $873,900. If you are 62 or older, a reverse mortgage lets you access that equity without selling, without moving, and without making a single monthly mortgage payment.
California Median Home Value
California Seniors
65+
Minimum Age to
Qualify
Reverse Mortgage Specialist
I am Adam Kelley, and my office is right here in California, not in a call center across the country. I work exclusively with California homeowners, and I understand California property values, local appraisal trends across every county, and what it takes to close a loan smoothly whether you are in San Diego, Los Angeles, the Bay Area, or the Central Valley.
If a reverse mortgage is not the right fit for you, I will say so plainly. No pressure, no games. The conversation is always free.
Qualifying comes down to a few core requirements. Most long-term California homeowners meet every one of them.
The youngest borrower on the title must be at least 62. Some jumbo programs allow borrowers as young as 55, which is relevant for many high-value California properties where proprietary loans are the better fit.
The home must be where you live most of the year. Vacation homes, investment properties, and second residences do not qualify under any reverse mortgage program.
Most lenders require at least 50% equity. With a California statewide median home value near $873,900, and many regions significantly higher, most long-term California homeowners qualify with substantial equity available to access.
You must be current on property taxes, homeowners insurance, and any HOA dues for your California home before the loan can close. California property taxes vary by county but are a condition of any reverse mortgage.
Single-family homes, FHA-approved condos, townhomes, and manufactured homes on owned land throughout California qualify. Jumbo programs extend eligibility to higher-value estate properties that exceed standard FHA limits.
Federal law requires a one-time session with an independent HUD-approved counselor before any application is submitted. About 60 to 90 minutes by phone, at no cost to you.
California seniors ove 65
California homeownership rate
California median home price 2026
Projected home value growth for 2026
Not all reverse mortgage products are the same. The right program depends on your home value, age, and financial goals. California’s diverse real estate market means some homeowners qualify for standard government-backed programs while others in high-value coastal markets benefit most from jumbo programs.
The most widely used reverse mortgage in the country. FHA-insured and HUD-backed with strong consumer protections built in at every stage.
Designed for California homes valued above the HECM lending limit. No government-set lending cap applies, making this the right choice for homeowners in coastal markets, the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Orange County, and other high-value regions.
Buy a new California home using a reverse mortgage as part of the financing. Bring a down payment and the reverse mortgage covers the rest of the purchase price.
If you already have a reverse mortgage and your California property value has grown, a refinance may allow you to access additional equity or improve your loan terms.
A lower-cost reverse mortgage option offered through select California state and local agencies for homeowners who need funds for one specific, approved purpose.
A private lender product built for high-value California properties. Given that California is one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, proprietary programs are a common choice for homeowners across the coastal regions.
A reverse mortgage is not free money. It is a financial tool. When used correctly, it gives California seniors real options that did not exist a generation ago. In a state where the median home value is nearly $874,000 and long-term owners have built up substantial equity, the financial impact can be significant.
If you still carry a mortgage on your California home, the reverse mortgage pays it off first. From that point forward, no required monthly mortgage payment exists. For many California retirees on fixed incomes, eliminating a mortgage payment alone frees up $2,000 to $5,000 per month depending on the region.
You remain the legal owner and stay on the title. There is no requirement to sell or move. As long as you live in the home as your primary residence and keep up with property taxes, homeowners insurance, and basic maintenance, the home is yours.
Choose how you receive your equity: a one-time lump sum, scheduled monthly payments, a growing line of credit you draw from as needed, or any combination of the above. You decide when and how much you access, based on your own retirement needs.
On HECM loans, you and your heirs can never owe more than what the home sells for, even if the loan balance exceeds the property value at the time of repayment. FHA insurance covers the difference. This is a federal protection built into every HECM, not an optional add-on.
If you choose the line of credit option, the unused portion grows over time at the same rate as the loan interest. This means your available credit can increase even if your California home value stays flat, which is a feature unique to reverse mortgage products.
Social Security and retirement savings do not always cover the full cost of living in California. A reverse mortgage can bridge the gap, covering healthcare expenses, home modifications, daily living costs, or simply building a financial cushion that reduces stress in retirement.
Want to see what these benefits look like with your specific California property and age? The estimate is free.
Reverse mortgages have been around for decades, but misconceptions still circulate. Here is what is actually true and what is not.
"The bank takes ownership of your home."
You remain the legal owner of your home throughout the life of the loan. The lender places a lien, just like a traditional mortgage. Your name stays on the title. You decide what happens to the property.
"My children will be stuck with the debt."
HECM loans are non-recourse. Your heirs are never personally responsible for the loan balance. They can sell the home and keep any remaining equity, refinance to keep the property, or simply walk away. If the California home sells for less than the balance, FHA insurance covers the shortfall.
"Reverse mortgages are only for people who are broke."
Many financially stable California homeowners use reverse mortgages as a strategic retirement planning tool. The growing line of credit feature, tax-free proceeds, and the ability to delay Social Security make it a legitimate financial planning option, not a last resort.
"You cannot get a reverse mortgage if you still owe on your home."
You can. The reverse mortgage pays off your existing mortgage balance first. Any remaining equity is then available to you. In fact, eliminating an existing mortgage payment is one of the most common reasons California homeowners apply.
"Reverse mortgages are a scam."
The HECM program is regulated by the FHA, insured by the federal government, and requires independent HUD counseling before any application is filed. It is one of the most heavily regulated mortgage products available. That said, not every homeowner should get one, which is exactly why we review your situation honestly before recommending anything.
A reverse mortgage is not the right solution for every homeowner. We believe you deserve an honest look at the drawbacks alongside the benefits before you commit to anything.
If a reverse mortgage does not make financial sense for your specific California property and circumstances, we will tell you directly. We would rather lose a loan than place someone in the wrong product.
From your first call to funded, typically in 30 to 45 days.
Call (888) 887-0492 or visit 243 S Escondido Blvd Suite 2004. We review your California home value, age, and retirement goals. You leave with real numbers, not a brochure. Zero obligation.
We identify the right program for your California home. Depending on your property value and location, we typically compare HECM and jumbo reverse mortgage options side by side, laid out in plain language so the choice is clear.
Federal law requires a session with an independent HUD-approved counselor before any application is submitted. About 60 to 90 minutes by phone. Designed to make sure you fully understand the loan before committing.
We submit your application. A licensed appraiser assesses your California property. Appraisers across the state are familiar with regional market conditions, from Riverside County to San Francisco, which keeps this step moving on schedule.
The lender reviews your application, appraisal, and financial information. Reverse mortgages do not require a high credit score or strict income minimums, but lenders verify your ability to keep up with property taxes and homeowners insurance.
You sign documents. After a three-day federal rescission period, your funds are released. No required monthly mortgage payment as long as you live in your California home as your primary residence.
Ready to take the first step? It starts with a free, no-pressure conversation.
Most reverse mortgage companies advertising in California are based out of state and operate from call centers. Our office is right here in California. You can walk in.
Reverse mortgage services offered exclusively to California homeowners. No multi-state queue. Your loan gets real attention at every step.
Our office is at 243 S Escondido Blvd Suite 2004, Escondido, CA 92025. Sit down with Adam directly, review your numbers face to face, and ask every question you have.
We understand the difference between a San Diego coastal condo, a Central Valley single-family home, and a luxury estate in the hills above Los Angeles, and which programs apply to each. Local knowledge speeds up your loan.
We are not licensed across 50 states managing thousands of loans at once. California homeowners are our entire market. Every loan we close is in this state.
Adam holds NMLS #2125432 and CA DRE #01905780. Both are publicly verifiable on the NMLS Consumer Access portal at any time.
A reverse mortgage is not right for every California homeowner. If your situation is not a good fit, we will tell you clearly and explain exactly why.
Call (888) 887-0492 or walk into the office. Not a help ticket. Not a different time zone. You reach us directly.
Real feedback from California seniors who trusted us with their home equity decisions.
Happy Clients
CA Counties Served
Out-of-Pocket at Closing
The questions we hear most from homeowners across California and all 58 counties we serve.
A reverse mortgage is not the right move for every homeowner. But if you are 62 or older, own a home in Escondido, and want honest answers about your options, this conversation is free and there is no obligation.
243 S Escondido Blvd Suite 2004
Escondido, CA 92025
(888) 887-0492
Mon to Fri 8 AM to 6 PM
contact@californiareversemortgage.us
