5 min readUpdated December 8, 2026

California Reverse Mortgage Guide (2026)

Everything California homeowners need to know about accessing equity, state laws, and lending limits.

Avg Home Value

$810,000

Lending Limit

$1,209,750

California Housing Market Analysis

California is considered a high-value market. With average home values exceeding $810,000, many homeowners here find that standard HECM loans cap their proceeds unfairly. If your home is worth over $1.2M, you are likely a candidate for a Jumbo Reverse Mortgage, which allows for loan amounts up to $4 million.

Loan Limits in California

For 2026, the federal lending limit is $1,209,750.

Since the median home value in California is below this cap, your loan amount will be determined strictly by your age and current interest rates, not by the lending cap.

Specific Laws for California

California has specific regulations that go beyond federal HUD guidelines:

California enforces a strict 7-day "cooling-off" period after counseling before a lender can accept a final application or assess fees.

Tax Note: Prop 13 limits property tax increases, making staying in your home financially advantageous for long-time owners.

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Written by the Equity Access Team

Our content is reviewed by licensed mortgage specialists to ensure accuracy with 2025 HUD/FHA guidelines.