8 Best Reverse Mortgage Companies: 2026's Top-Rated Picks

Jane DoeJan 15, 202613 min read

Let's be real for a second. Watching your retirement savings dwindle while the cost of living keeps climbing is terrifying. I've spoken with countless homeowners who feel "house rich but cash poor," staring at a paid-off home while struggling to cover medical bills or grocery runs. You don't need a sales pitch. You need a lifeline.

Finding a lender isn't just about interest rates. It's about finding a partner who won't pressure you into a decision you can't reverse. After reviewing the latest 2026 lending standards and service records, I've filtered out the noise to bring you the 8 most trustworthy reverse mortgage companies this year. Whether you need the lowest fees or a specialist for high-value homes, this list is your starting point.

Highest-Rated Reverse Mortgage Companies

We've seen some major shifts in the market this year. With the 2026 HECM lending limit rising to $1,249,125, more homeowners than ever are qualifying for government-insured options. I evaluated these companies based on four non-negotiable criteria: Transparency (no hidden fees), Product Variety (do they have Jumbo options?), Customer Service Reputation (BBB & Trustpilot scores), and Financial Stability.

Here is my breakdown of the top performers.

1. Finance of America Reverse (FAR)

Best for: High-Value Homes & Proprietary Products (Jumbo Loans)
States: 50 States (licensed nationwide)

If your home is worth significantly more than the 2026 federal limit of $1,249,125, Finance of America Reverse (FAR) is likely your best bet. I've followed FAR (NMLS #2285) for years, and they are arguably the most innovative lender in the space. They are the pioneers behind the HomeSafe® suite, a proprietary "Jumbo" reverse mortgage that allows access to equity on homes up to around $4 million, though recent guidelines emphasize HECM consideration first for qualifying borrowers. Unlike many competitors who simply resell other people's loans, FAR creates its own products, giving them flexibility that smaller brokers just can't match.

1. Finance of America Reverse (FAR)

Pros

  • High Lending Limits: Their HomeSafe® product allows loan amounts up to $4 million, far exceeding FHA limits.
  • Diverse Options: They offer unique variations, such as the "HomeSafe Second," which lets you keep your low-rate forward mortgage while tapping into equity.
  • Industry Leader: As one of the largest wholesale and retail lenders, they have massive financial backing.
  • Strong Education: Their "Retirement Personality" tools help you decide if a reverse mortgage actually fits your lifestyle.

Cons

  • Strict Credit Requirements: Because they hold their own loans, their underwriting for proprietary products can be stricter than FHA standards.
  • Website Complexity: Their wealth of information can sometimes feel overwhelming for a first-time visitor.
  • Customer Service Wait Times: Due to their size, getting a hold of a specific loan officer can sometimes take longer than with a boutique shop.

2. Longbridge Financial

Best for: Education & Price Match Guarantee
States: 50 States

Longbridge Financial (NMLS #957935) has built its reputation on a simple promise: they won't let you close a loan if they don't think it's right for you. They actively compete to beat competitor quotes, which can save you thousands in closing costs. Their mobile app is also surprisingly intuitive, allowing you (and your adult children, if you wish) to track the loan balance and credit line growth in real-time.

Longbridge Financial

Pros

  • Price Match Guarantee: They promise to beat any competitor's written offer, which is a huge leverage point for you.
  • 45-Day Close Guarantee: In an industry where loans can drag on for months, their commitment to speed is refreshing.
  • Longbridge Platinum: Longbridge offers competitive pricing and the Platinum Preserve proprietary product, which avoids mortgage insurance premiums (MIP).
  • Ethical Focus: Known for turning away business if the loan doesn't financially benefit the senior.

Cons

  • Digital Heavy: They focus heavily on phone and digital interactions, which might not suit those wanting a local branch visit.
  • Jumbo Rates: While their HECM rates are competitive, their proprietary rates can sometimes be slightly higher than FAR's.
  • In-House Servicing: While usually a pro, some users report the transition to their servicing department can be bumpy.

3. Mutual of Omaha

Best for: Brand Trust & Stability
States: 48 States (Excludes WV and NY in some programs)

For many seniors, "Mutual of Omaha" is a name synonymous with safety, thanks to their Wild Kingdom legacy. In the reverse mortgage sector (NMLS #1025894), they are a powerhouse. After acquiring Synergy One Lending in 2024, they combined massive insurance-backed stability with agile mortgage technology. If you are nervous about the volatility of financial markets, choosing a lender with this level of historical stability provides significant peace of mind.

Mutual of Omaha

Pros

  • Household Name: There is a comfort factor in working with a brand that has existed for over a century.
  • Top-Tier Ratings: Consistently holds A+ ratings with the BBB and high customer satisfaction scores.
  • Personalized Service: They employ a large network of loan officers, increasing the chance you can find someone local.
  • No "Hard Sell": Their representatives are generally trained to be consultative rather than pushy.

Cons

  • Brand Premium: You might find slightly lower interest rates with smaller, hungrier brokers.
  • Conservative Underwriting: They tend to be very by-the-book, which is safe, but might be frustrating if you have a unique property issue.
  • Fees: Their origination fees are fair but rarely the absolute lowest on the market without negotiation.

4. Fairway Independent Mortgage

Best for: Homebuyers (HECM for Purchase) & Speedy Closing
States: 50 States

Fairway (NMLS #2289) reorganized its reverse mortgage channel toward decentralized retail operations several years ago. In 2026, they are my top pick if you are using a reverse mortgage to buy a new home (downsizing or moving closer to family). Their operations team has launched initiatives aiming for "15-day closings" on specific products, which is unheard of in this sector. If you need to move fast to secure a new retirement home, Fairway is the engine you want.

Fairway Independent Mortgage

Pros

  • Speed: Their operational efficiency is arguably the best in the business right now.
  • Physical Presence: With hundreds of branches across the US, you can likely sit down with a human being face-to-face.
  • Purchase Specialists: They have a dedicated team for "HECM for Purchase," a complex transaction that many other lenders fumble.
  • High Customer Satisfaction: Consistently ranked #1 in J.D. Power surveys for borrower satisfaction.

Cons

  • Retail Focus: Since they exited wholesale, you can only get their loans directly through their retail officers.
  • Marketing Frequency: Some users report receiving a high volume of marketing mailers after inquiry.
  • Variable Branch Quality: Because they are branch-based, your experience depends heavily on the specific loan officer you get.

5. Guild Mortgage

Best for: Personalized, Local Service
States: 49 States

Guild Mortgage (NMLS #3274) has been quietly growing into a reverse mortgage contender, especially after their strategic acquisition of Cherry Creek Mortgage's reverse division. I like Guild because they maintain a "Main Street" feel despite being a national lender. They are excellent for borrowers who have complicated financial pictures, such as self-employment income or complex trust ownership, because their underwriters take a more manual, human approach to approval.

Guild Mortgage

Pros

  • Human Underwriting: They excel at manual underwriting for unique borrower situations.
  • Community Focus: They are deeply embedded in local real estate markets, which helps with accurate home appraisals.
  • Relationship-Based: You are treated less like a number and more like a neighbor. They rarely sell your servicing rights.
  • Flexible Terms: Good options for both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate HECMs.

Cons

  • Limited Proprietary Products: They rely mostly on the standard FHA HECM, so fewer options for multi-million dollar homes.
  • Tech Lag: Their online portal isn't as flashy or feature-rich as Longbridge or HighTechLending.
  • State Availability: While broad, they may have fewer loan officers in rural areas compared to Mutual of Omaha.

6. Liberty Home Equity Solutions

Best for: Low Cost Guarantee
States: 50 States

Liberty (NMLS #2726), a subsidiary of Ocwen, is one of the volume leaders in the industry. Their Iron Clad Guarantee promises to beat or match a competitor's reverse mortgage quote, or provide a $100 VISA gift card (terms apply). If you are strictly crunching numbers and want to minimize the upfront hit to your equity, Liberty is a mandatory stop on your shopping list. They are efficient, transactional, and focused on volume.

Liberty Home Equity Solutions

Pros

  • Cost Efficiency: Often provides the lowest closing costs and interest rate combinations.
  • Price Match: Their guarantee forces them to stay competitive.
  • 60-Day Satisfaction: They offer a guarantee that if you aren't happy within 60 days, they will attempt to make it right (rare in mortgages).
  • Deep Experience: They have been doing almost exclusively reverse mortgages for decades.

Cons

  • Parent Company Reputation: Ocwen (the parent company) has had regulatory issues in the past, though Liberty operates somewhat independently.
  • Call Center Feel: The experience can feel a bit "corporate" and impersonal compared to Guild or Fairway.
  • Aggressive Follow-up: Expect frequent phone calls once you submit your information.

7. HighTechLending

Best for: Wholesale Connections & Government Expertise
States: Licensed in about 20 states, including CA, AZ, CO, FL, GA, and others (check current licensing)

HighTechLending (NMLS #7147), often operating as AmericanSenior.com, is a heavyweight in the wholesale market. This means many smaller brokers actually use HighTechLending to fund their loans. For you, going direct to them can sometimes cut out the middleman. They specialize in automating the bureaucratic parts of the FHA process, making them a great choice if you want a paperless, efficient experience without the "fluff."

HighTechLending

Pros

  • Technology Driven: Streamlined digital process reduces paperwork errors and delays.
  • Government Specialist: They have a very low error rate with FHA/HUD paperwork.
  • Wholesale Pricing: You can often access wholesale-level rates by going direct.
  • Automated Updates: Great for people who prefer email/text updates over phone calls.

Cons

  • Web Interface: Ironically, for a company named "HighTech," their consumer-facing website can feel a bit dated.
  • Brand Awareness: They don't have the big-name recognition of Mutual of Omaha, which might worry some heirs.
  • Limited Jumbo: Their primary focus is the standard government HECM.

8. GoodLife Home Loans

Best for: White-Glove Service (Premium Experience)
States: 35+ States

GoodLife Home Loans (NMLS #971307) connects borrowers to reverse mortgage lenders and offers competitive rates through partners, rather than originating directly. They aren't trying to be the biggest. They are trying to be the nicest. In my review of their customer feedback, they have some of the highest Trustpilot scores in the industry. They focus on a "White Glove" service model, meaning they will hold your hand through every single document. If you are easily stressed by financial paperwork, GoodLife is worth the potential premium.

GoodLife Home Loans

Pros

  • Exceptional Service: Near-perfect reviews citing patience and kindness from loan officers.
  • Simplicity: They do an excellent job of stripping away industry jargon.
  • Family Inclusion: They actively encourage including adult children in the conversation to ensure everyone is on the same page.
  • Speed: Despite the high touch, they move relatively quickly.

Cons

  • Smaller Footprint: They are not licensed in every single state, so you must check availability.
  • Product Depth: They stick mostly to standard products and may not have the complex portfolio of FAR.
  • Office Hours: Being a smaller company, 24/7 support isn't really their model.

How to Choose the Best Reverse Mortgage Company?

Selecting a lender is not like shopping for a car. It's like choosing a surgeon. You need precision and trust. Here is my checklist for 2026:

  • NRMLA Membership: This is non-negotiable. Ensure the lender is a member of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association. This binds them to a strict Code of Ethics.
  • Product Type: Do you need a HECM (backed by HUD, limits up to $1.25M) or a Proprietary/Jumbo loan (private, limits up to $4M)? Companies like FAR and Longbridge are better for the latter.
  • Fees vs. Rate: Don't just look at the interest rate. Ask for the TALC (Total Annual Loan Cost). Some lenders offer lower rates but charge the maximum Origination Fee ($6,000). Others might waive the fee in exchange for a slightly higher rate.
  • Loan Officer Experience: Ask your officer specifically: "How many reverse mortgages did you close last month?" If the answer is one or two, find a specialist. You want someone who does this daily, not a generalist.

Advice Before Applying for a Reverse Mortgage

I've seen reverse mortgages save retirements, but I've also seen them cause family friction. Before you sign, please consider these points:

  1. The "Heir" Conversation: This is the most important step. When you pass away, the loan becomes due. Your heirs will usually have to sell the house to pay it off. Tell them this now. Do not let them find out after the funeral.

  2. Alternatives First: A reverse mortgage is expensive due to upfront insurance costs. Have you looked into a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) or simply downsizing to a smaller, cheaper home? Use a reverse mortgage only if you plan to stay in your home for at least 5+ years to justify the costs.

  3. Impact on Benefits: The proceeds from a reverse mortgage are loan advances, not income, so they usually don't affect Social Security or Medicare. However, if you pile up cash in a bank account, it could disqualify you from Medicaid. Consult a benefits counselor.

  4. Counseling is Mandatory: You are required by law to undergo HUD counseling. Don't view this as a hurdle, but view it as your protection. Ask the counselor the hard questions that the lender might be glossing over.

Conclusion

The best reverse mortgage company really depends on your specific financial fingerprint.

  • If you have a multi-million dollar home, go with Finance of America Reverse for their Jumbo options.
  • If you are buying a new home for retirement, Fairway Independent Mortgage is the speed leader.
  • If you want the maximum brand safety, Mutual of Omaha is a solid choice.

You should get at least three quotes. Prices can vary wildly on the same day. Take your time, involve your family, and choose the partner that makes you feel secure, not just the one with the flashiest brochure.

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