If you're looking for a reverse mortgage lender with top-notch customer service, GoodLife Home Loans should be on your list of prospective options.
The Bellevue, Washington-based company was one of the largest reverse mortgage lenders in the U.S. in 2025. We love that this lender has a record of strong customer service, with top marks on third-party rating platforms like the Better Business Bureau and customer review sites like Trustpilot.
However, it doesn't operate in every state.
GoodLife Home Loans Reverse Mortgage
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
Apply for personalized rates
Types of reverse mortgages
HECM reverse, reverse refinance loan, jumbo reverse loan, purchase reverse loan
Minimum equity
Typically 50%
Pros
- Lower-than-average rates
- Lowest adjustable rates on average in 2021, per the US Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Provides online educational articles and guides on reverse mortgages and finances for retirees
- Accredited by the BBB with an A+ rating
Cons
- Doesn't lend reverse mortgages in Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wyoming
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GoodLife Home Loans reverse mortgage review
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
HECM, HECM for purchase, Longbridge Platinum
$4 million for Longbridge Platinum
GoodLife reverse mortgage types
GoodLife Home Loans offers reverse mortgages in 40 states and Washington D.C. It does not lend in Alaska, Hawaii, New York, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont or Wyoming.
HECM
A home equity conversion mortgage (HECM) is the most common type of reverse mortgage. It's available to homeowners 62 and older and backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
- Loan limit: $1.2 million
- Disbursement options: Monthly payment, 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.
Meridian: GoodLife's jumbo loan product
GoodLife also offers a jumbo loan product called Meridian for those who need more than the FHA will back.
- Loan maximum: $4 million
- Insurance: GoodLife does not charge a mortgage insurance premium
GoodLife reverse mortgage requirements
GoodLife does not provide many details about its reverse mortgage requirements online. However, these are the typical requirements for reverse mortgages:
- Age minimum: 62 for HECM.
- Minimum home equity: Typically 50%
- Debt: Can't be behind on any federal debt payments, including student loans
- 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
GoodLife customer service
GoodLife has exceptional customer satisfaction reviews.
It received an A+ from the Better Business Bureau, a grade given based on transparency, truthful advertising, and response time to consumer complaints.
It also received an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars — across more than 400 reviews — on Trustpilot. Ninety-seven percent of mortgage applicants gave the company five stars, with many reviewers citing the mortgage counselors as a key reason for the grade. GoodLife also responded to each review, which not every lender does. Lastly, it is listed on SeniorSite — a comprehensive resource site for older adults — as one of the 10 most trusted reverse mortgage lenders.
GoodLife Home Loans does not list its phone line hours on its website, but it offers several ways for customers to get in touch. Customers and prospective customers can call 1-866-945-1710, email the company at info@goodlifehomeloans.com or fill out a contact form on their website.
How does GoodLife compare?
Here's how GoodLife stands up to two major players in the market.
GoodLife vs. Longbridge
GoodLife and Longbridge are similar in two key ways — both offer HECM and jumbo loans that cap at $4 million.
However, Longbridge also offers a hybrid HELOC for older people. With that product, you can open a $50,000 and $400,000 line of credit during a 10-year draw period. GoodLife does not have information about any home equity reverse mortgage product on its website.
Longbridge also offers an online application. While GoodLife offers a partially online application, you still need to work with a loan officer to complete the process. Plus, Longbridge operates in all 50 states.
Longbridge Financial Reverse Mortgage
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
Apply for personalized rates
Types of reverse mortgages
HECM reverse, HECM for purchase, Platinum Mortgage (proprietary loan with larger limits and a low age requirement of over 55)
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
But when it comes to customer reviews, GoodLife has a slightly better record. Ninety percent of Longbridge reviewers gave the lender five stars on Trustpilot.
GoodLife vs. Finance of America
In a head-to-head matchup between these two lenders, Finance of America comes out ahead in terms of availability and loan options.
Finance of America is available in all 50 states, while GoodLife is only available in 38 states and offers a second mortgage product, while GoodLife does not.
But GoodLife has higher customer service ratings: Seventy-three percent of reviewers gave Finance of America five stars.
Finance of America
Loan types
HECM, HomeSafe Standard, HomeSafe Second
Minimum equity
50%
Maximum loan
Up to $4 million (HomeSafe), $50,000 and $1 million (HomeSafe Second),
Age limit
62 for HECM, 55 for HomeSafe Second, 60 for EquityAvail, 55 for HomeSafe (60 in Massachusetts, New York and Washington, 62 in North Carolina and Texas),
Availability
Finance of America is a division of Finance of America Reverse which is licensed nationwide. In CA, NM, and OK, it does business as Finance of America Reverse. In NY, it does business as FAReverse, LLC
Pros
- Jumbo reverse mortgages are available up to $4 million
- Doesn't require mortgage insurance premiums or origination fees on HomeSafe
Cons
- No online application
- Not transparent about rates or fees
How do I apply for a GoodLife reverse mortgage?
First, go to GoodLife's website and fill out an inquiry or estimate form. You'll be matched with a team member who will guide you through the process.
As with any reverse mortgage, you need to go to a counseling session with an HUD-approved housing counselor.
To complete the application, you'll need the following paperwork (plus any more the lender requires):
- Photo ID
- Social Security number
- Deed
- Mortgage statements
- Proof of property tax payments
- Proof of insurance and maintenance documents.
As part of the underwriting process, the lender will likely conduct an appraisal and a title search, which will be added to the closing costs.
Is a GoodLife reverse mortgage right for me?
GoodLife is an excellent choice for people looking for stellar customer service and a standard HECM loan or a jumbo loan. Additionally, if you're looking for a reverse HELOC or a more uncommon type of mortgage, you will have to look elsewhere.
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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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Our methodology
CNBC Select reviews mortgage products using a variety of criteria, including reverse mortgage loan types offered, average rates, terms, fees, down payment options, availability, online experience and customer satisfaction.
In addition, we incorporate findings from independent sources, including lender scores from the J.D. Power U.S. Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study and ratings from the Better Business Bureau and Morningstar.
