Best Home Equity Investment Companies (2026 Guide)

Being a homeowner comes with many benefits, including building equity you can tap into when you need cash for expenses, major purchases, and other purposes. However, while the Intercontinental Exchange reports that U.S. homeowners are currently sitting on near-record levels of tappable equity (nearly $11 trillion), HELOC rates remain elevated, undermining their appeal. Traditional home equity financing options also require monthly payments that don’t always fit into tight budgets.

Rather than using loans or credit lines, some homeowners are considering a home equity investment (HEI) as a unique alternative for tapping into their equity. Instead of borrowing funds with monthly payments, you sell a share of your home's future appreciation to an investor in exchange for cash today. While an HEI still requires putting your home on the line, qualifying is often much easier and less time-consuming than with other home equity options.

This guide explains how HEIs work, compares 7 major HEI providers, clarifies who qualifies, and helps you decide whether an HEI or an alternative (like a HELOC) is the better fit for your situation.

Key Takeaways

• An HEI is a financial arrangement in which a company provides you with a lump-sum payment in exchange for a share of your home's future appreciation. They differ from loans, which require monthly payments.
• The best HEI companies, such as Point and Splitero, offer generous funding maximums, long terms, and lenient minimum credit score requirements. 
• While HEIs don’t require verifiable income, low debt-to-income ratios, and prime credit scores like HELOCs and home equity loans, you’ll still need to meet various property, mortgage, and location requirements.
• If an HEI isn’t right for you, consider traditional equity financing products, which require monthly payments and interest but don’t involve giving up a stake in your home’s future appreciation.

What To Know Know About HEIs

With an HEI, you enter into a contract with an investor who agrees to give you cash in exchange for a share of your home’s future value. This is very different from taking out a loan, as there's no interest rate, monthly payment, or debt dragging down your debt-to-income ratio.

Here's what the HEI process typically involves:

1. You submit initial details about your property to an HEI company, undergo a soft credit check, and get an initial offer if you qualify.
2. The HEI company appraises your home to determine its current market value and reviews the title for any issues.
3. Upon approval, you’re offered a lump sum — typically $15,000 to $600,000 — in exchange for a defined percentage of any future appreciation above that starting value.
4. You receive the cash, have a lien put on the home, and continue living in it as normal, with no monthly payments required.
5. When you sell your home, refinance, buy out the investor, or reach the end of your term (whichever comes first), you repay the original amount plus the investor's share of appreciation. If the home instead depreciates, this reduces the amount you must pay the investor.

Example of an HEI in action

Imagine your home is worth $500,000, and you take a $100,000 HEI in exchange for a 25% stake in future appreciation. Five years later, you sell the home for $600,000. The investor gets back their $100,000, plus 25% of the $100,000 gain, for a total of $125,000. You keep the rest.

If your home had instead lost value and sold for $460,000, the investor would share in that loss, and you'd repay less than $100,000. The investor's financial interest is aligned with yours.

Not sure if an HEI is right for you? See our full guide on ways to borrow money for a complete overview of your options.

Best Home Equity Investment Companies at a Glance

While there are many HEI companies, choosing the right one aligned with your needs and financial profile is crucial. Use this table to quickly compare all 7 top providers at once before diving into their full profiles below:

Already know what you need? Get pre-qualified at Splitero – our top pick – or Point. Both use a soft credit pull with no commitment.

HEI Providers: Score Summary

Every provider below is scored using Loanfolk's five-dimension HEI model: fee transparency, agreement fairness, accessibility, term flexibility, and state availability. Scores run 1.0–5.0.

HEI Providers: Reviewed and Ranked

1) Splitero – Loanfolk Top Overall Pick

Splitero earns our top spot because it offers a combination of repayment safeguards unmatched by any other mainstream provider. 

First, the Safety Cap limits total repurchase cost to a 19.99% equivalent APR. In a fast-appreciating market, that ceiling defines your worst-case cost from day one. Second, Maturity Match™ ties your HEI repayment term to your existing mortgage's remaining term, eliminating the forced sell-or-refinance pressure that short-term HEIs can create. 

Providing funding in an average of 20 days is also among the fastest on this list. The tradeoff is the higher 4.99% origination fee, which should factor into your cost comparison before applying.

2) Point

Point's combination of a 30-year term, $600K max payout, and one of the lowest credit floors on this list makes it the strongest option for homeowners who need maximum funding with minimal qualification barriers. 

No other mainstream provider gives homeowners this much runway. Regardless of payout size, you're not racing toward a 10-year payback deadline. The long term also means you won’t be pressured to sell or refinance before you’re ready.

The one meaningful gap is transparency: Point doesn't publish what share of your home's future value it will take until you apply. However, pre-qualification is a soft credit pull with no commitment, making it a low-friction way to start.

3) Unison

Unison's combination of 20 years in the HEI market and 29-state availability gives it a credibility and reach advantage no competitor can match. If you're in a state where a newer provider isn't yet operating, Unison is often the answer. 

The 30-year term is also a genuine strength. For homeowners who aren't certain when they'll sell, a 30-year horizon eliminates most end-of-term planning risk. 

There are a few limitations. The company’s minimum credit score requirement of 620 is the highest among mainstream HEI providers. So, homeowners with scores in the 500–619 range will need to look at Point, Splitero, or Unlock instead. Plus, Unison requires you to retain 30% equity in your property, which is higher than some competitors' requirements.

4) Aspire HEI

Aspire is the most homeowner-protective lender on this list. The published cost formula, hard cap on total repayment, and no-penalty buyout all combine in a way no other provider matches. 

If you're in a fast-appreciating market, Aspire's cap puts a ceiling on how much they will collect from your home value in a way that an uncapped HEI does not. This offers predictability and transparency to qualified homeowners. Aspire is also a good choice for flexibility in case of an early exit.

The limitations are real, though. A minimum credit score of 660 and a $250,000 funding maximum mean only a specific segment of HEI-seekers would find value in using it. It’s also available in fewer states than some competitors, like Point and Unison.

5) Unlock

Unlock's partial buyout feature is useful, allowing homeowners to reduce the outstanding balance incrementally before a sale or the end of a term. This matters in practice: if you receive a cash windfall, an inheritance, or a high income in year 5 of a 10-year term, you can buy down the investor's stake rather than leaving it fully intact until the end of the term. 

The practical limitation is the 10-year term. Ten years sounds like a long time, but if your home is a long-term hold and you're not confident you'll sell within that window, the pressure to arrange a refinance or buyout becomes real. The 4.9% fee and 40% equity floor are also the strictest combination on this list.

6) Hometap

Hometap works well for homeowners who need a large payout — potentially up to $600,000 — have a clear plan to sell or refinance within 10 years, and have a credit score of at least 585. 

The fully online process and established brand make the application experience smooth, and you can estimate costs online before you apply. Plus, the 20% annualized capped share offers meaningful consumer protection for larger advances. 

Where Hometap loses points is the combination of a 10-year term and a 4.5% fee. This means you face a shorter runway than Point or Unison and a higher upfront cost than with most competitors. Additionally, the company is subject to multiple pending litigations regarding its business practices, including a 2026 class-action lawsuit and a 2025 Massachusetts lawsuit.

If you have a clear 10-year horizon and need a large payout, Hometap is worth a serious look. However, if your timeline is uncertain, Point or Unison's 30-year terms are safer bets.

7) EquiFi

EquiFi is designed specifically for California homeowners, even those with lower credit scores, who have significant equity and want access to funds without any timeline pressure. 

The absence of a fixed repayment term is genuinely unlike anything else on this list. You don’t have to worry about racing against a clock to sell or refinance by year 10 or 30. For a long-term California homeowner in a high-value market, that flexibility offers real value and makes EquiFi worth considering alongside Hometap and Point. 

However, outside California, EquiFi simply isn't available, so you’ll need to look at other providers right away. Additionally, EquiFi requires contacting the company directly for specific funding details, and it’s less established than some other popular HEI companies.

Pros & Cons of Home Equity Investments

What's included in a home equity sharing agreement?

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a home equity sharing agreement is the legal contract that formalizes an HEI. It defines exactly how much cash you receive, what percentage of your home's future appreciation the investor is entitled to, and the conditions under which repayment is triggered. 

Unlike mortgages or HELOCs, which are standardized and heavily regulated, home equity sharing agreements vary significantly from company to company. Since there’s no universal template, it’s important to read every clause carefully, ideally with a real estate attorney, before signing.

Below are common terms you should understand in your agreement.

Who qualifies for an HEI?

HEI companies look at several factors related to your property, financial situation, and even your location. However, unlike with loans, having poor credit, a low income, or high debt levels typically isn’t a roadblock to approval.

While requirements can vary significantly by company, here's what to expect:

How Does the HEI Payback Process Work?

If approved, you’ll repay your HEI as a single lump sum when one of these events triggers repayment:

1. You sell your home — the most common scenario. At closing, the investor's portion is automatically deducted from your sale proceeds.
2. You reach the end of your agreement term without selling. You'll need to refinance, take out a home equity loan, or arrange another source of funds to buy out the investor.
3. You choose to buy out the investor early. This requires a new independent appraisal to establish the current value, and then you pay the original amount plus the investor's share of any appreciation since signing.

As the scenarios below show, the repayment amount depends on how much your home value has changed:

How does an HEI compare to alternatives?

While an HEI has its benefits, it’s important to compare this option with other financial products tied to your home equity to find the right fit. In some cases, you might prefer a more traditional home financing product that is more widely available and doesn’t require you to give up any appreciation.

Here’s a quick look at how HEIs compare to three alternatives:

HELOC

A HELOC is a flexible option that provides a credit line from which you can borrow funds for a specific period, often 5 to 10 years, and often make interest-only payments at first. After that draw period, you make full payments for the remainder of the term.  

This arrangement can make sense if you need lower payments initially and are willing to accept the risks of variable rates and payments later. It’s also suitable for ongoing funding needs when you have strong financials and don’t want to share your home’s appreciation.

However, since it’s a credit line and not an HEI, the HELOC lender can take your home for default. This makes an HEI still worth considering for less risk and easier qualification.

For a deeper look at the HELOC side before deciding, see our guide: HELOC vs Debt Consolidation Loan →

Home equity loan

Like an HEI, a home equity loan provides all the funds upfront, which is great when you have a certain goal and borrowing amount in mind. There’s a lot of predictability, as the Federal Trade Commission notes that these loans usually have fixed rates, which means stable payments for your budget.

But unlike with a HELOC, you’ll need to begin making full payments soon after receiving funding, which might be a stretch considering your income. You’ll also need a high credit score, a low debt-to-income ratio, and other strong financial indicators to qualify, as well as put your home at risk.

A home equity loan can be a suitable alternative to an HEI if you qualify and can afford the payments, especially if you expect your home to appreciate a lot. However, the long loan terms make HEIs worth considering if you worry about monthly payments or potential home depreciation.

Cash-out refinance

A cash-out refinance differs from these other options since it entirely replaces your mortgage with a new one and provides excess funds based on your home equity. It can be less cumbersome since you avoid making two payments, and you might get a more competitive mortgage rate.

However, cash-out refinance programs vary widely, with both fixed and variable rates and different potential requirements and fees. While the long loan terms are appealing, you’ll need strong financials that HEIs don’t require, and your home is still on the line.

Ultimately, a cash-out refinance might make sense if you’re a creditworthy homeowner and want to refinance your mortgage anyway. In that case, the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance suggests doing a break-even test. But an HEI can be more appealing to avoid a higher monthly payment or a potentially worse mortgage rate than you already have.

When Is an HEI Worth It?

Whether an HEI makes financial sense depends almost entirely on two variables: how much your home appreciates and what alternatives you actually qualify for. 

If you can get a competitive HELOC rate, that will usually cost you less in a rising market, so you keep all the upside. If you can't qualify or can't absorb monthly payments, an HEI may be the only viable path to your equity. These cost scenarios illustrate the range:

If an HEI looks like the right fit, Splitero, Point and Unison are the strongest starting points for most homeowners. Pre-qualification is free, takes a few minutes and won’t impact your credit score.

If an HEI or other home equity products aren’t the right fit, peer-to-peer loans are worth exploring as an alternative lump-sum option that doesn't put your home equity on the line.

How to Apply for an HEI

The HEI application process is more straightforward than many homeowners expect. Here's the typical path from inquiry to funding:

1. Select a provider and get pre-qualified online. Start with Splitero, Point, or Unison: all have quick pre-qualification tools that won't affect your credit score.
2. Complete a home appraisal. An independent appraiser (arranged by the company) determines your home's fair market value. This sets the baseline for your contract.
3. Review and sign the agreement. This is the most important step. Read every clause, particularly around the appreciation share, buyout terms, and what happens if you renovate. Consider having a real estate attorney review it.
4. Have a notary witness the signing. Most HEI companies require in-person notarization — fully remote signings are not yet standard.
5. Receive your funds. After closing, the company will typically wire your cash within a few days.
6. Expect nothing further until repayment. You live in your home normally until you sell, buy out, or reach the end of your term.

The Bottom Line

A home equity investment solves a specific problem: accessing equity without taking on monthly payments. For homeowners who can't qualify for traditional home equity financing, afford a new monthly obligation, or have verifiable income, an HEI may be the only viable path to their equity. Just remember the tradeoff of potentially higher costs if your home appreciates strongly. 

If an HEI seems right for you, carefully compare each provider based on criteria such as credit score requirements, funding limits, appreciation shares, term lengths, funding speed, reputation, and fees. Also, consider speaking with a financial professional before signing any HEI agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions