The best home equity investment company for you depends on your credit, home value, and how much cash you need: Hometap and Unlock lead for flexible qualification, Point is best for larger homes and longer terms, Unison offers the longest 30-year term, (learn more about can i refinance with negative equity?) (learn more about how to refinance with negative equity?) (learn more about getting a business line of credit with bad credit: options and guidance) and Splitero is best for lower credit scores. A home equity investment (HEI) — also called a home equity agreement — gives you a lump sum today in exchange for a share of your home's future value, with no monthly payments (learn more about what is coldesina capital? mortgage lender overview | rateroots) (learn more about conventional loan requirements 2025) (learn more about what is velocity? mortgage lender overview | rateroots) and no interest.
Last updated: August 2026 | By the RateRoots Home Equity Editorial Team | Reviewed against current provider disclosures.
Home equity investments have moved from a niche product to a mainstream alternative to the HELOC and cash-out refinance, especially while mortgage rates keep second-lien borrowing expensive. Instead of a loan, an HEI is a shared-equity contract: the investor pays you cash now and collects an agreed percentage of your home's value when you sell, refinance, or reach the end of the term (typically 10–30 years).
Below are seven of the most established providers in 2026, what each does best, and who should look elsewhere.
How we compared them
We weighted five factors that matter most to homeowners: minimum credit score, maximum cash available, term length, typical share of appreciation taken, and state availability. HEIs are not regulated identically to mortgages, so terms vary widely — always read the individual offer's effective cost cap and settlement math before signing.
1. Hometap — Best overall for flexible qualification
Hometap is one of the largest and longest-running HEI providers. It offers up to roughly $600,000 in cash, accepts credit scores as low as 500 in many states, and uses a 10-year term. Its calculator-first process and no-monthly-payment structure make it a strong default for homeowners with equity but tight cash flow. The trade-off: the 10-year window is shorter than some competitors, so you need a clear exit plan.
2. Unlock — Best for partial buybacks
Unlock stands out by letting you buy back your equity in pieces rather than all at once, which can lower your total settlement cost if your home appreciates quickly. It accepts scores around 500, funds up to about $500,000, and works well for homeowners who expect to refinance or sell within the term.
3. Point — Best for higher-value homes
Point offers some of the highest funding amounts in the category (up to roughly $500,000+) and a 30-year term, giving homeowners a long runway before settlement is due. It tends to favor homes with substantial equity and is a good fit for owners who want maximum flexibility on timing.
4. Unison — Best for the longest term
Unison pioneered the shared-equity model for consumers and offers a 30-year term, the longest widely available. That extended horizon reduces pressure to settle early. Unison typically looks for stronger equity positions and mid-600s credit, so it suits more established homeowners.
5. Splitero — Best for lower credit scores
Splitero focuses on homeowners who may not qualify elsewhere, accepting scores in the low 500s and moving quickly on funding. Availability is more limited by state, but for credit-challenged owners with real equity, it is often the most accessible option.
6. Aspire (formerly HomeEQ) — Best for fast closings
Aspire emphasizes speed, with funding timelines that can beat the category average. It is a reasonable pick when you need cash on a deadline, though you should compare its appreciation share carefully against Hometap and Point.
7. HomePace — Best for straightforward terms
HomePace keeps its structure simple and transparent, which appeals to first-time HEI users who want to understand exactly what they are signing. Funding amounts and availability are more modest, so it fits smaller equity draws.
HEI vs. HELOC vs. cash-out refinance
An HEI is not always cheaper — if your home appreciates sharply, the investor's share can cost more than HELOC interest would have. The advantage is cash flow: no monthly payment and no interest accrual, which helps homeowners with irregular income or high existing debt. A HELOC or cash-out refinance makes more sense when you can comfortably afford monthly payments and want to keep 100% of your future appreciation.
Run the numbers both ways. Ask each provider for the effective annual cost under a low-, medium-, and high-appreciation scenario, and confirm the settlement cap.
Frequently asked questions
Do home equity investments require monthly payments? No. You receive a lump sum and settle once — when you sell, refinance, or reach the end of the term.
What credit score do I need? Several providers (Hometap, Unlock, Splitero) accept scores in the 500s. Better scores can improve your offer terms.
Is an HEI a loan? No. It is a shared-equity contract, not debt, so it does not appear as a loan on your credit report — though it does place a lien on your home.
How much can I get? Typically 10%–30% of your home's current value, up to provider caps that range from about $400,000 to $600,000.
This article is educational and not financial advice. Compare full contract terms and consider speaking with a licensed advisor before entering any home equity agreement.
