4 Best Home Equity Sharing Companies for 2025

If you’re interested in a home equity sharing agreement, also called home equity investments, the list below will help you choose the best provider for your unique financial situation. Our top picks include options for homeowners with a low credit score, those with no income, those looking to finance a remodel and more.

You’ll also find links to our in-depth reviews of each company mentioned.

Home equity sharing agreements are complex contracts, and it’s important that you go in with some knowledge of how each company operates. As such, we strongly recommend referring to our detailed reviews before applying.

What Is Home Equity Sharing?

A home equity share agreement allows you to access your home’s equity today with no monthly payments. In exchange, depending on the company’s model, the investment company either takes a percentage of your home’s total future value or shares in the appreciation above a set baseline. Some companies may also share in any potential loss if your home decreases in value.

The investment company receives its payback when you sell your home, refinance, buy out the agreement early, or reach the end of the contract term (typically 10-30 years depending on the company). The amount you owe is based on your home’s value at the time of settlement.

Overall, home equity sharing is most attractive for homeowners who have at least 30% equity in their property but don’t qualify for traditional HELOCs or home equity loans due to credit or income limitations. This option makes the most financial sense when the funds will be used for high-ROI purposes specific to your financial situation, such as eliminating high-interest credit card debt.

Best Home Equity Sharing Companies

#1. Point

Point allows for agreements up to 30 years in length. It allows for a loan-to-value ratio of up to 73% and you can buy back your equity at any time without repayment penalties. 

With home equity sharing agreements, one of the biggest risks is forced sale at the end of the contract term. While many competitors have 10-year terms, Point’s 30-year agreement reduces this risk. Another key advantage of Point is their appreciation-only model – they only take a share of your home’s appreciation above a risk-adjusted baseline value, rather than a percentage of your entire home value. This structure can reduce your costs if your home appreciates significantly.

Key Facts:

• Offers contracts as long as 30 years in length. 
• Provides investments between $30,000 and $500,000.
• The minimum credit score required is 500, but applicants with higher credit scores and lower debt-to-income ratios will likely qualify for more favorable terms.
• Point allows for a maximum combined loan-to-value (CLTV) ratio of 73%.
• There are no requirements for income or liquid assets, but your financial profile—including your debt-to-income ratio—can impact the terms you receive.
• Homeowners with rental properties are eligible for a Point home equity investment, but a rental premium is charged at payoff.
• Point charges a processing fee of up to 3.9%, with a minimum of $2,000, plus appraisal, escrow, and government fees.

Point Review

Visit Point

#2. Unlock

Unlock stands out among home equity sharing companies because of its flexibility. While contract lengths are a maximum of 10 years, Unlock is the only company that allows for a partial buyback of your home equity agreement. For example, you can buy back 50% of your investment at any time once you enter the agreement. 

Key Facts:

• Agreements are a maximum of 10 years in length.
• Offers agreements ranging from $30,000 to $500,000.
• The minimum required credit score is just 500.
• Doesn’t share in the appreciation of your home due to renovations (appraisals are required).
• There is no standard income requirement, though income is a factor in determining how much of an investment Unlock will make in your home.
• Your combined mortgage balance and Unlock’s investment cannot exceed 80% of your home’s value.
• Only available in 13 states (see our review for complete list).
• Unlock charges an origination fee of up to 4.9% plus other third-party closing costs.

Unlock Review

Visit Unlock

#3. Hometap

Hometap is ideal for those with average credit (minimum 600 score) and is particularly well-suited for remodels and house flips where you can achieve a high ROI on a shorter timeline. For example, if Hometap invests 10% of your home’s value upfront, they may take approximately 15% if you settle in 0-3 years, 17.8% if you settle in 4-6 years, and 20% if you settle in 7-10 years (though your specific terms may vary). This increasing percentage structure makes it most cost-effective when used for shorter-term projects where you plan to sell or refinance quickly.

Key Facts:

• Hometap allows homeowners to access up to 30% of their home’s value, with a maximum investment of $600,000.
• Offers renovation adjustments, so improvements to your home are not included in the calculation of the home’s appreciated value.
• There’s no firm income or credit score requirements (although most applicants have scores of at least 600 and hold 25% or more equity in their property).
• There’s a forced sale risk if you’re unable to pay Hometap after 10 years when Hometap’s repayment is due.
• Hometap charges a 3.5% closing fee, which is deducted from your funding amount at the time of investment.

Hometap Review

Visit Hometap

#4. Unison

Unison offers a unique hybrid product called the Equity Sharing Home Loan, which differs from other home equity sharing options by requiring monthly payments. It’s structured as an interest-only, second-lien mortgage with fixed payments for 10 years, where you pay 75% of the interest monthly while 25% is deferred until the end of the term.

Key Facts:

• 10-year term with low, interest-only monthly payments (partial deferred interest).
• Can provide up to 20% of your home’s value with a maximum of $500,000
• Maximum combined loan-to-value ratio of 70%
• Requires a minimum FICO score of 620
• Available in 30 states including DC
• Unison typically takes a percentage of the home’s appreciation that is greater than the initial funding percentage, often around 1.5x the amount borrowed, but this can vary based on contract terms.
• No sharing of depreciation if your home’s value decreases
• Provisions for home improvements allow credit for added value after three years
• Unison charges a 3.9% transaction fee, plus third-party closing costs such as appraisals and government fees.

Unison Review

Visit Unison

Comparison of Key Facts and Information

Company	Max Funding Amount	Credit Score Requirement	Max Loan to Value Ratio	Terms	Availability
Unlock	$500,000	500	80%	10 years	AZ, CA, FL, MI, NJ, NC, OR, PA, SC, TN, UT, VA, WA
Point	$500,000	500	73%	Up to 30 years	AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, MO, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, UT, VA, WA, DC
Hometap	$600,000	500	75%	10 years	AZ, CA, FL, MA, MI, MN, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, UT, VA, WA
Unison	$500,000	620	80%	Up to 30 years	AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, UT, VA, WA, DC, WI

4 Tips to Consider Before Choosing a Home Equity Sharing Company

1. Thoroughly review the contract, and (ideally) have a third-party review it as well. It’s not that home equity share companies are trying to scam you; these are legitimate companies that provide a valuable service. It’s more so that these contracts are complex and you don’t want to be surprised when payment comes due.
2. Pay close attention to fees both at origination and upon the completion of agreement. Pay close attention to fees both at origination and upon completing the agreement. Expect to pay the majority of fees upfront, but there may also be minor fees, such as appraisal costs, when exiting the agreement. These fees are typically deducted from the cash you receive upfront, minimizing out-of-pocket expenses.
3. Compare at least two home equity providers. You won’t find out a lot of important variables with each company until well into the underwriting process. In other words, what you see upfront may be different from what you’re offered in the end.
4. Know your exit strategy. Have a plan for how (and when) you will buy out the investment company. Calculate the associated costs using a good, better, best scenario (an example of which can be found in our Point Review).

Pros and Cons of Home Equity Sharing

You can read our dedicated guide to the pros and cons of home equity sharing to take a deep dive into the benefits and drawbacks.

Here’s an overview of some of the key points to consider.

Pros:

• Home equity sharing provides equity-rich homeowners with low incomes and/or bad credit an option for getting up-front cash.
• The lack of monthly payments can help improve your existing cash flow.

Cons:

• An equity sharing agreement is not as simple to understand as a HELOC or home equity loan. They’re complex contracts and each company’s agreement is different.
• You lose some of the upside if your home appreciates.
• Similar to a refinance, there are a number of associated fees.
• These agreements are not available in every state.

Home Equity Sharing vs. HELOC/Home Equity Loan vs. Reverse Mortgage

Two alternatives to home equity sharing are:

1. Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) and home equity loans. 
2. Reverse mortgages. 

Traditional financing options like HELOCs and home equity loans are typically more favorable for homeowners than home equity sharing agreements. 

Not only can you lock in a guaranteed interest rate with these loans, and thereby reduce your risk, the fees are typically a lot less.

As an example, Hometap charges 3.5% of your investment amount — taken out of your initial proceeds — as a closing fee. This is separate from the appreciation you’ll pay back if your home increases in value. 

As of March 2025, you can get a home equity line of credit with minimal fees in the range of 7.5% to 10%.

The caveat is that the lending guidelines for these types of loans are strict. In most cases, qualifying means having at least an average credit score and sufficient cash flow to pay back the loan. 

A reverse mortgage is an agreement that allows homeowners aged 62 years and older to borrow money upfront using their existing equity. Similar to home equity share agreements, no monthly payments are due. 

The big difference is that the money borrowed via a reverse mortgage is a loan. That means interest and fees are added to the loan balance each month. The balance then grows the longer you keep the reverse mortgage agreement in place, and is paid back once you sell the home.  

Best Home Equity Sharing Companies: Final Thoughts

Home equity sharing companies enable home-equity-rich homeowners with bad credit or low incomes to get their hands on some of their home’s value today, in the form of a lump sum payment, in exchange for giving up some of the home’s future upside.

If you qualify for a traditional home equity loan or HELOC, it’s likely to be a better (and lower-cost) option long-term. 

But for equity-rich homeowners who can’t take on the monthly payments or don’t qualify, home equity sharing agreements are a reasonable alternative.