Reverse mortgages give homeowners aged 62 and older the opportunity to get tax-free cash payments while remaining in their home. This income can serve as a much-needed source of funds to pay for retirement expenses. The most common type of reverse mortgage is a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM).
Reverse mortgages can be complicated and expensive, however, so it’s best to shop around for a reverse mortgage lender. Because they are a relatively niche product, there are only some major players in the reverse mortgage space compared to other types of mortgages.
Methodology
To determine the best reverse mortgage lenders, Bankrate evaluated lenders based on several criteria, including availability, customer experience and loan options.
Best lenders for reverse mortgages
Reverse mortgage options | HECM, lump sum, line of credit, jumbo, reverse for purchase |
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Highlight | AAG is by far the largest reverse mortgage lender in the U.S. |
Reverse mortgage options | HECM, lump sum, line of credit, jumbo, reverse for purchase, EquityAvail, HomeSafe |
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Highlight | Finance of America Reverse’s reverse mortgage packages include unique options for different types of borrowers. |
Reverse mortgage options | HECM, lump sum, line of credit, reverse for purchase, Equity Elite |
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Highlight | Like those of some other reverse mortgage lenders, Reverse Mortgage Funding’s proprietary product is available to younger borrowers. |
Reverse mortgage options | HECM, lump sum, line of credit, jumbo, reverse for purchase, HomeSafe |
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Highlight | Mutual of Omaha’s HomeSafe allows borrowers access to up to $4 million, which is higher than the HECM limit. |
Reverse mortgage options | HECM, lump sum, line of credit, jumbo, reverse for purchase, Platinum |
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Highlight | Longbridge Financial was one of the top 10 reverse mortgage lenders in the U.S. in 2021. |
How to choose a reverse mortgage lender
When comparing reverse mortgage lenders, consider what’s most important to you: your bottom line (the cost), the convenience of the experience and service, or a combination:
- Costs – While there are no monthly payments with a HECM, it’ll still cost you money to obtain via the interest rate and fees. The closing costs for a HECM are fairly standard across the board, but there are some services that cost more or less depending on lender.
- Customer service – Reverse mortgages have a complicated set of rules, and if you don’t adhere to them, you could lose your home. Pay attention to how responsive the lender is to your queries and customer reviews and testimonials.
While reverse mortgages are generally a safe product, you’ll also want to be wary of the signs of a reverse mortgage scam.
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