Point vs. Unlock: Costs, Structure, and Key Trade-Offs
Point’s pricing depends on how much your home grows above a discounted baseline, while Unlock locks in a fixed share of future value. The better option depends on timing and exit plans.
About R.J. Weiss
Founder of The Ways to Wealth
R.J. Weiss is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with over a decade of experience in financial planning, and founder of The Ways To Wealth.
Expert reviewer for BestColleges.com and has been quoted in publications like Business Insider, Yahoo, Mint, USA Today, CNET, the New York Times and Forbes.
Holds a B.A. in finance from Eastern Illinois University and completed the CFP® Certification curriculum program at The American College. Additionally, he has earned the Personal Lines Coverage Specialist (PLCS) and Small Business Coverage Specialist (SBCS) designations.
Experience
R.J. Weiss is not just a financial planner but a trusted voice in the realm of financial content. At The Ways To Wealth, R.J. and his team are dedicated to publishing a wide range of content in the financial space, from fair and unbiased assessments of financial products and services to insightful articles, guides and resources. Their commitment to accuracy and relevance ensures that readers get the most up-to-date and reliable information.
R.J.'s unique approach to content creation is based on experience, research, and a deep understanding of the financial industry. He believes in the power of firsthand experience and combines this with extensive research and expert insights to provide valuable content to his readers.
Outside of his professional life, R.J. is an avid traveler, a husband, and a proud father of three. He resides just outside of Chicago, IL.
Education
R.J. Weiss holds a B.A. in finance from Eastern Illinois University. He became a Certified Financial Planner® on December 10, 2010, after completing the CFP® Certification curriculum program at The American College. Further enhancing his credentials, R.J. has earned the Personal Lines Coverage Specialist (PLCS) and Small Business Coverage Specialist (SBCS) designation.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
-
-
18 Ways to Get Paid to Take Pictures with Your Phone
You don’t need pro gear to make money with photography. Smartphones are good enough for stock sites, merchandise, freelance work, and even paid in-store photo tasks.
-
Unison Review Home Equity Loan Review: Better Than a HELOC?
Unison offers an alternative to refinancing by pairing interest-only payments with equity sharing. The structure favors disciplined borrowers who want liquidity without disturbing a low-rate first mortgage.
-
Home Equity Agreement vs. Reverse Mortgages: What To Choose?
Reverse mortgages grow slowly over time with legal safeguards, while home equity agreements can become costly if home values rise. Choosing between them hinges on how long you plan to stay put.
-
Home Equity Agreement Pros and Cons: Is It Worth It for You?
Home equity agreements can help in emergencies, but they reduce future net worth, complicate refinancing, and create estate planning risks that traditional loans don’t.
-
Home Equity Agreements Explained: Costs, Risks, and What Most Homeowners Miss
Home equity agreements can unlock cash without monthly payments, but the long-term cost is easy to underestimate. Structure, fees, and appreciation share rules can make them far more expensive than they appear.
