To help our members get to know one another, NRMLA publishes periodic member spotlights featuring professionals from across the reverse mortgage ecosystem.
Meet Kevin Guttman, CRMP, a loan officer with C2 Financial, based in Colorado Springs, CO.
Kevin has been around real estate his whole life. His parents were realtors and investors in southern California.
He spent several years in the ministry traveling the country to raise money for projects in the developing world, helping people have clean water, medical clinics, schools, and enterprise loans to build businesses.
How did you get into the reverse mortgage world?
I was first trained to originate reverse mortgages in 2007. In 2015, when HUD introduced significant changes to the program — such as protections for non-borrowing spouses and the implementation of financial assessments — I decided to get retrained and began originating reverse mortgages again. During that time, I recognized a growing need among baby boomers, who were the first generation largely responsible for funding their own retirements and, in many cases, had underfunded them. I realized that helping seniors access their home equity could significantly improve their quality of life during retirement. I was drawn to the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping people live more comfortably in their golden years.
What has been your biggest professional challenge/obstacle thus far? How did you overcome/handle it?
One of the biggest challenges in my career has been overcoming the widespread misinformation and negative perception surrounding reverse mortgages. There are many myths about the product that create unnecessary fear and hesitation for homeowners. To combat this, I wrote a book sharing real stories from my clients about how a reverse mortgage positively transformed their lives. By educating the public and shifting the conversation from fear to empowerment, I’ve been able to help more seniors understand how a reverse mortgage can provide financial freedom and security.
What do you consider to be your greatest career accomplishment to date?
My greatest professional accomplishment has been publishing my fourth book, A Reverse Mortgage Changed My Life: Real Stories of Hope, Courage, and Inspiration. In this book, I interviewed several of my clients and asked them to share how a reverse mortgage had impacted their lives. Their stories were incredibly powerful — ranging from being able to stay in their homes, eliminating monthly mortgage payments, affording medical care, or simply living with less financial stress. Documenting their experiences and seeing firsthand how this product improved their quality of life has been deeply fulfilling for me.
If you could offer one piece of advice to someone who wants to get into the reverse mortgage world, what would it be and why?
My best advice would be to truly understand the unique needs of seniors and approach every conversation with empathy and patience. Reverse mortgages are not simply financial products — they are life-changing tools that can provide security, independence, and peace of mind. By taking the time to educate and listen, you’ll build trust and ultimately be able to make a profound difference in people’s lives.
Who has been a mentor to you in your career? How has their work impacted yours?
I’ve been fortunate to have three incredible mentors who have significantly shaped my career. Harlan Accola was instrumental in training me to originate reverse mortgages, which ultimately changed the trajectory of my career. Scott Harmes guided me through the process of becoming a Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional (CRMP), which elevated my expertise and credibility in the industry. Lastly, Shain Urwin challenged me to shift my business model from one-to-one consultations to a one-to-many approach, allowing me to educate and impact a much larger audience through speaking, writing, and educational content. Each of them played a critical role in helping me build a business that is both meaningful and impactful.
What do you love most about working in the reverse mortgage industry?
Without a doubt, the most rewarding part of my job is working with my senior clients. Every day, I have the privilege of helping them stay in their homes, maintain their independence, and live the lifestyle they’ve worked hard for. It’s incredibly fulfilling to witness the peace of mind they experience once their financial burdens are lifted — whether it’s eliminating a monthly mortgage payment, funding long-term care, or simply having more cash flow to enjoy life. Knowing that I’ve played a small part in helping them live out their golden years with dignity and comfort is an honor I never take for granted.
