Guild Mortgage is one of the largest mortgage lenders in the country. But unlike many on that list, it also offers a full suite of reverse mortgage products.
CNBC Select likes that Guild ranks above average on J.D. Power’s customer service surveys and that it has physical locations, a rarity in the reverse mortgage space. Additionally, Guild offers a second reverse mortgage product that provides borrowers with a smaller loan amount.
However, it does not offer weekend hours for the customer service phone line and does not lend in New York. Read on for our full review of Guild’s reverse mortgage products.
Guild Mortgage Reverse Mortgage
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Loan types
Flex Payment HECM, Flex Payment jumbo reverse, reverse for purchase, refinancing
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Minimum equity
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Maximum loan
Up to $4 million for Flex Payment jumbo mortgages
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Age requirement
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Availability
Guild Mortgage lends nationwide except for New York.
Pros
- Available in 49 states
- Provides detailed explanation of loan options on website
Cons
- Doesn’t outline fees and rates on website
- There is no online application option
Guild Mortgage reverse mortgage review
You can borrow against the equity accrued in your home with a reverse mortgage
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
Flex Payment HECM, Flex Payment jumbo reverse, reverse for purchase, refinancing
Up to $4 million for Flex Payment jumbo mortgages
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Guild Mortgage reverse mortgage types
Guild Mortgage offers reverse mortgages in 49 states and Washington D.C. Flex Payment is the title of Guild’s suite of reverse mortgage products.
Flex Payment HECM for purchasing
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) backs all home equity conversion mortgages (HECM). Guild’s Flex Payment HECM for purchasing is a reverse mortgage for those who are buying a home.
- Loan limit: $1.2 million
- Disbursement options: Lump sum payment or line of credit
- Rates: Fixed or adjustable
- Fees: Lenders typically charge a monthly fee of $30 to $35
- Insurance: Annual mortgage insurance premium of 0.50% of the outstanding loan balance.
- Age limit: 62 and older
Flex Payment HECM for refinancing
Guild’s Flex Payment HECM for refinancing can be used to refinance an existing home loan.
- Loan limit: $1.2 million
- Rates: Fixed or adjustable
- Disbursement options: Lump sum payment or line of credit
- Fees: Lenders typically charge a monthly fee of $30 to $35
- Insurance: Annual mortgage insurance premium of 0.50% of the outstanding loan balance.
- Age limit: 62 and older
Flex Payment jumbo reverse mortgage
Guild offers a jumbo loan product for those with a high-value home who need to borrow more than the government will back.
- Loan maximum: $4 million
- Rates: Fixed or adjustable
- Disbursement options: Lump sum payment or line of credit
- Insurance: Guild does not charge a mortgage insurance premium on this product
- Age limit: 55 and older
HomeSafe second mortgage
Guild offers a second mortgage product up to $500,000.
- Loan maximum: $500,000
- Fees: Guild does not charge monthly fees on this product
- Distribution method and rate: Lump sum, fixed-rate
- Age limit: 55 and older
Guild Mortgage reverse mortgage requirements
Here are the requirements for Guild Mortgage’s reverse mortgage products. Guild Mortgage does not provide any information about its minimum equity threshold online.
- Age minimum: 62 for HECM and all products in Texas; 55 for non-HECM products
- Credit requirements: None
- Minimum home equity: Typically, reverse mortgage lenders require 50% equity. Guild does not post its minimum online.
- Debt: Can’t be behind on any federal debt payments, including student loans; must be up-to-date on mortgage payments if taking out the second mortgage product
- Property: The loan must be taken out against your primary residence, which is maintained to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development standards
- Other requirements: Counseling from a HUD-approved reverse mortgage counselor for all HECM loans in all states; counseling for other types of mortgages is required in most states.
Guild Mortgage customer service
Guild Mortgage ranked above average on J.D. Power’s 2025 mortgage servicer and mortgage origination customer satisfaction surveys and came in second in the servicer surveys. Guild also received an A+ from the Better Business Bureau.
Guild has hundreds of retail locations, but its customer service phone line is limited to weekdays — many of its competitors have weekend hours. Customers can call 800.971.3864 from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. PT/11 a.m. ET to 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET.
It also has an easy-to-use website with a customer portal and robust information about its loans and rates.
How does Guild Mortgage reverse mortgage compare?
Here’s how Guild Mortgage stands up to two major players in the reverse mortgage market.
Guild Mortgage vs. Longbridge
Guild Mortgage and Longbridge Financial both offer HECMs, jumbo reverse mortgages, and second reverse mortgages. Additionally, both have stellar customer service records, though neither offers weekend customer service hours. The difference between the two comes down to availability, business focus, and in-person vs. online offerings.
While Guild Mortgage offers a full suite of mortgage products, Longbridge Financial specifically focuses on reverse mortgages. Longbridge is also available in all 50 states. However, Longbridge doesn’t have in-person locations.
Longbridge Financial Reverse Mortgage
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Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
Apply for personalized rates
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Types of reverse mortgages
HECM reverse, HECM for purchase, Platinum Mortgage (proprietary loan with larger limits and a low age requirement of over 55)
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Minimum equity
No specific minimum equity listed, but generally 50%
Pros
- Proprietary loan allows those as young as 55 to access a reverse mortgage, lower than the 62 that HECM reverse mortgages require.
- Accredited by the BBB with an A+ rating
- Available in all 50 states
- Provides a “scenario calculator,” on website that can help estimate the cost of a reverse mortgage
Cons
- Can’t complete application online
Guild Mortgage vs. Fairway Mortgage Corporation
Guild and Fairway have a lot in common: Unlike many reverse mortgage lenders, both offer a full suite of mortgage products. They also offer a robust selection of reverse mortgage products, including HECMs, jumbo mortgages, and second reverse mortgages.
But when it comes to speed, Fairway takes the cake: It claims to close in as little as 17 days, much shorter than the typical one to two months most lenders take.
Guild Mortgage, however, ranks higher on J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction surveys.
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation
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Loan type
HECM, Signature Reverse LOC, Signature Advantage, Signature Select
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Minimum equity
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Maximum loan
$4 million for Signature line
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Age requirement
62 for HECM, 55 for Signature line
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Availability
Fairway Independent operates nationwide except for New York
Pros
- Closes on some loans in as little as 17 days
- Partners with financial advisors and real estate professionals
Cons
- Information on rates and fees not online
- Not available in New York
How do I apply for a Guild reverse mortgage?
To apply for a Guild reverse mortgage, fill out an inquiry form on their website. A loan officer will contact you to begin the process.
Next, you need to complete a session with an HUD-approved housing counselor, like with all reverse mortgages.
To complete the application, you’ll need a portfolio of financial documents, information about your home, and identification. Here are some of the most common documents lenders typically require:
- Photo ID
- Social Security number
- Deed
- Mortgage statements
- Proof of property tax payments
- Proof of insurance and maintenance documents
- Other
The lender will conduct an appraisal and a title search, which will be included in the closing costs.
Is a Guild Mortgage reverse mortgage right for me?
Guild Mortgage is a great choice for reverse mortgage borrowers seeking a lender with extensive experience in financing various types of home loans and a record of excellent customer service.
This is also a great option for those looking for a second reverse mortgage instead of a more common purchase or refinance reverse mortgage.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to deliver high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice to our readers, enabling them to make informed financial decisions. Every mortgage review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of financial products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content independently of our commercial team and any outside third parties. We pride ourselves on maintaining high journalistic standards and ethics.
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Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
