Home equity sharing agreements involve selling a percentage of your home's value or appreciation to an investor in exchange for a lump sum upfront. The agreement typically is settled, with the homeowner paying back the investor, after the home is sold or at the end of a 10- to 30-year period.
The Close's top picks for the best home equity sharing companies Home Equity Sharing CompanyHome Equity Investment (HEI) Terms Visit Splitero Get between $30,000-500,000 or up to 15% of your home's value 10-30 year term Visit Unison Get up to $500,000 10-year term Receive funding in two to six weeks8 more rows •
As of 2024, the market is dominated by four companies: Unison, Point, Hometap, and Unlock.
Term length. Point offers a much longer term than Unlock—30 years compared to 10, respectively. Those two extra decades could prove invaluable if you don't intend to sell your home and need to save up for a buyout. But with Point, what you'll gain in time you'll lose in flexibility.
Home equity sharing may also be wise if you don't want extra debt reflected on your credit profile. "These agreements allow homeowners to access their home equity without incurring additional debt," says Michael Crute, a real estate agent and operations strategist with Keller Williams in Atlanta.
Equity agreements commonly contain the following components: Equity program. This section outlines the details of the investment plan, including its purpose, conditions, and objectives. It also serves as a statement of intention to create a legal relationship between both parties.
Home equity sharing may also be wise if you don't want extra debt reflected on your credit profile. "These agreements allow homeowners to access their home equity without incurring additional debt," says Michael Crute, a real estate agent and operations strategist with Keller Williams in Atlanta.
Taking equity out of your home can be risky because it involves borrowing against the value of your property. This means you are increasing your debt and potentially putting your home at risk if you are unable to repay the borrowed amount.