5 Best Home Equity Sharing Companies of October 2026
Our top picks for the best home equity sharing companies of October 2026
- Point: Best overall
- Hometap: Best for large payment amounts
- Unlock: Best for flexible buyout options
- Unison: Best for flexible terms
- Splitero: Best perks
- Low credit score minimum
- Upfront fee on the lower side of companies analyzed
- 30-year payoff term
- Fairly wide availability
- Requires 30% equity
- No mobile or manufactured homes allowed
- Upfront fee:
- 3.9% of payment amount
- Availability:
- 30 states, plus Washington, D.C.
- Investment amounts:
- Up to 20% of the home’s value, minimum $30,000 up to $600,000
- Minimum credit score:
- 500
- Payoff term:
- 30 years
- Property types allowed:
- Single-family residences, condos, one- to four-unit multifamily properties, townhomes, investment properties and second homes
Why we chose this company: Based on our analysis, Point is the top home equity-sharing company. Its wider availability, fairly low upfront fee, low credit score requirements and flexibility regarding property type make it a good choice for a broad swath of homeowners and investors looking to access their equity. Its long payoff term is also notable, giving you a full three decades before repayment comes due.
- Can access up to 27% of your home equity
- Low credit score minimum
- No prepayment penalty
- Multiple property types allowed
- Only a 10-year payoff term
- Limited availability
- Upfront fee:
- 4.5% of payment amount
- Availability:
- 27 states
- Investment amounts:
- Up to 27% of the home’s value, maximum $600,000
- Minimum credit score:
- 585
- Payoff term:
- 10 years
- Property types allowed:
- Single-family homes, condos, vacation properties, rental properties, one- to four-unit multifamily homes and manufactured homes
Why we chose this company: If you’re looking for a lot of cash or to access a sizable portion of your home’s equity, Hometap is likely your best bet. With Hometap, you can access up to 27% of your home equity, the highest percentage among the companies we reviewed. The investment company offers $15,000 to $600,000 — tied for the highest investment amount we found. You can even cash in on the equity in your vacation home, rental property or multifamily property. You must have a minimum credit score of 585, among other requirements, to qualify.
- Low minimum credit score
- Multiple property types allowed
- High upfront fee
- Only a 10-year payoff term
- 30% equity required
- Upfront fee:
- 4.9% of payment amount
- Availability:
- 26 states
- Investment amounts:
- up to 19.9% of home value, minimum $15,000 up to $500,000
- Minimum credit score:
- 500
- Payoff term:
- 10 years
- Property types allowed:
- Single-family homes, condos, two- to four-unit multifamily properties, townhomes, primary residences, second homes and rental properties
Why we chose this company: Unlock doesn't charge a prepayment penalty if you buy out your agreement before it ends. It also lets you make partial payments throughout the term, making it easier to buy back your equity over time — an option few other companies offer. Unlock not only invests in single-family homes but also in a variety of property types that other companies don't accept, such as multi-unit properties, townhomes, second homes and rentals. This variety of properties and buyout options gives homeowners the flexibility few other investment companies offer.
- Lower upfront fee compared to other options
- Deep experience in home equity investing
- Limited availability
- Second homes and rentals aren’t eligible
- Upfront fee:
- 3% origination fee
- Availability:
- 23 states and Washington, D.C.
- Investment amounts:
- 15% of home value, minimum $30,000 up to $500,000
- Minimum credit score:
- 680
- Payoff term:
- 30 years
- Property types allowed:
- Owner-occupied primary residences, including single-family homes, townhouses and condos.
Why we chose this company: Unison can be a smart choice for a homeowner looking to access their home equity. The company can purchase up to 15% of a home's value, investing from $30,000 to $500,000. Unison will share in your home's appreciation in value, as well as any loss of value. The company applies a 5% risk adjustment to your home's starting value and offers one of the longest buyback terms we found in our analysis — 30 years.
- Allows repurchase terms as long as your main mortgage lasts
- Low minimum credit score
- Has an affiliated brokerage that will help you sell your house when it’s time
- Highest upfront fee of companies analyzed
- Limited availability
- Upfront fee:
- 4.99% of payment amount
- Availability:
- 17 states
- Investment amounts:
- Up to 25% of the home’s value, up to $600,000
- Minimum credit score:
- 500
- Payoff term:
- Up to your main mortgage’s term
- Property types allowed:
- Owner-occupied single-family homes, condos, townhomes, two- to four-unit multifamily properties
Why we chose this company: Although Splitero's fees are slightly higher than those of other equity sharing options we analyzed, it can give you a pre-approval decision within one to two business days — one of the fastest approvals we found in our analysis. It also offers features that consumers may find appealing. Its investment terms range from 10 to 30 years. With Maturity Match, if you have a first-lien mortgage on your property, you won’t have to pay Splitero back until the remaining senior mortgage term is up. If you want to sell your house and reinvest your equity, the company offers a brokerage service that handles the heavy lifting.
Other companies we considered
There are fewer equity-sharing companies than traditional home equity lenders, but the number is growing. The following company is relatively new to the market and didn't make our top picks, but could be worth considering.
Bonus Homes
Bonus Homes offers what it calls a Home Appreciation Partnership. With this agreement, you receive a payout of all your home equity. Bonus then converts your home into a rental property and takes over its management, including finding tenants, paying the mortgage and providing all maintenance. You retain ownership of the property, and when the home sells, you'll receive a percentage of the home's appraised value.
Why we didn't choose it: The company currently limits qualifying homes to single-family homes valued at less than $550,000. The mortgage rate on the current loan must also be less than 4%, which may limit who can benefit from the agreement.
What you need to know about home equity sharing
Home equity sharing agreements, also known as home equity investments, allow you to sell a portion of your home’s future equity to an investor in exchange for a lump sum payment. You can then use the money for any purpose you’d like.
According to Kenon Chen, executive vice president of strategy and growth at property analytics firm Clear Capital, home equity sharing can help borrowers who may not meet the eligibility requirements for more conventional home equity products.
"For certain folks, that might be a really helpful option if your cash is tied up in your home," Chen says. It could also help improve your current financial circumstances.
Only a few home equity sharing options are on the market, and each is geographically limited. Even the most accessible company on our list offers agreements in just 30 states. To choose the right home equity sharing company, start by checking your location to see which options are available in your area.
Read more about how equity sharing works, who qualifies and the pros and cons of entering into this type of agreement. There are also other alternatives to consider if home equity investments aren't right for you.
How does home equity sharing work?
Equity sharing is an alternative way to access the cash value of your home's equity. It’s not a loan in any traditional or legal sense. Instead, you sell a portion of your home’s equity to an investor, who will generally allow you to buy that equity back after a specific number of years. So, if your home has $100,000 in equity, you may be able to sell up to 27% to an investor, who will give you cash for that share in exchange for an agreement that you will repay their investment in your home at the end of the agreed-upon term.
You’ll also be on the hook for a percentage of your home’s appreciation when the investment is over. You typically pay this percentage at a set interval, such as five years, when you sell your home or when your first mortgage is paid in full, depending on the agreement terms.
Cliff Andrews, president of the Coalition for Home Equity Partnership, says that home equity sharing agreements are directly associated with the future value of your home. If your house appreciates, you will need to pay the difference to the investor; however, a depreciation in your home's value could reduce your obligation to the investor.
“This built-in risk-sharing helps protect homeowners from market downturns and sets shared equity products apart from traditional debt-based financing options,” Andrews says.
Although you don’t have a payment to make and don’t take on any new debt, home equity sharing is not an easy way to access your equity, and you should consider this option very carefully. If you are unable to repay the investor at the end of the term, you may need to sell your home to fulfill this obligation.
Most investors allow you to repurchase your equity early without penalty. If you pursue one of these equity sharing options, you should be putting money back at a rate that will allow you to reclaim your home’s equity so you can choose what happens at the end of your mortgage. Although they can be risky for homeowners, home equity sharing has a place in the real estate ecosystem. Be sure you fully understand the agreement before signing.
Who is eligible for home equity sharing?
Although specific eligibility requirements vary by company, homeowners generally need to meet the following criteria:
- Credit: Credit score and income requirements are more lenient than those for traditional loans. Typically, companies require a credit score of at least 500.
- Loan-to-value ratio (LTV): The LTV is the current loan balance, plus the new loan or home equity share agreement, divided by the home's current value. The resulting number reflects how much you owe; generally, you need an LTV below 70%. If you owe more money, you may not qualify.
- Investment amount: The amount you can receive depends on your home's value, your credit, and the company's eligibility criteria.
- Property use: Some companies limit the types of property eligible for home equity share agreements. For example, some only accept single-family, single-owner primary residences.
What are the pros and cons of home equity sharing?
As with any type of loan, there are benefits and risks when you enter into an equity sharing agreement. A full understanding of the pros and cons will help you determine whether a home equity investment is the right choice for you.
Pros:
- Access cash without incurring debt: Home equity sharing lets you tap into your property's increased value without taking on a traditional loan. However, this doesn't mean you’re not responsible for repayment. You can buy back the equity you sold before the end of your agreement, or you may have to sell your home to repay your investor when the agreement term ends.
- No monthly payments: Because you’re not taking out a loan, you won’t have any monthly payments that can strain your budget or accumulate interest that will increase the borrowed balance.
- Flexibility: You can use the money you get any way you like, from making home repairs to paying off high-interest debt. This flexibility lets you make financial decisions that prioritize your needs and fit your current circumstances.
- Easier qualification requirements: Home equity sharing companies tend to have lower credit score minimums, so you can qualify even if your credit score is below 600.
Cons:
- Loss of full ownership: When you enter an equity-sharing agreement, the investment company becomes a secondary lien holder, much like a traditional mortgage lender would.
- Risks associated with both appreciation and depreciation: If your property appreciates, you'll have to share that appreciation with the investor based on their equity percentage. A significant increase in value can mean parting with a substantial sum at the end of the agreement. Conversely, if your property decreases in value, the investor may still be entitled to a return on their investment, meaning you may owe more than anticipated.
- Lump-sum payment: At the end of the equity sharing agreement, you will likely have to make a large balloon payment to the investor. This payment can be substantial, particularly if the property has appreciated significantly in value. If you don't have the funds readily available, you may need to sell your home or take out a loan to repay the investor.
- Possible loss of a tax deduction for mortgage interest: If you typically take a mortgage interest deduction, you’ll not be able to deduct anything to do with your equity sharing agreement, since it’s not a mortgage, and no interest accumulates.
Alternatives to home equity sharing
Home equity sharing can be a useful way to tap your home's value without taking on new debt. But it isn't the right move for everyone.
It can be especially risky if you expect to sell or refinance your home soon, since you'll need to repay the share agreement. If you decide against home equity sharing but need access to cash, here are several alternatives:
Cash-out refinance
A cash-out refinance replaces your existing mortgage with a new, larger loan. The difference between your old balance and the new loan amount is paid out to you in cash, which you can use for home improvements, medical bills or other expenses.
Home equity loan
If you need a large lump sum and have good credit, a home equity loan allows you to borrow against the equity you've already built. These loans typically have fixed interest rates, fixed terms, and predictable monthly payments, making them a good option if you need a sizable amount upfront and have strong credit.
Home equity line of credit (HELOC)
A HELOC is similar to a home equity loan, except it gives you a revolving line of credit instead of a lump sum. You pay interest only on the amount you draw, and you can borrow, repay and borrow again during the draw period (similar to a credit card). HELOCs help if you have an ongoing project or aren't sure how much it will ultimately cost.
Personal loan
A personal loan can be a helpful alternative if you need a smaller sum or haven't yet built enough equity in your house. Personal loan lenders offer loans between $1,000 and $100,000, and you usually have two to seven years to repay the loan. Just keep in mind that these loans typically carry higher interest rates than home equity loans because they're unsecured and don't require collateral.
Latest news in home equity sharing
Home equity remains a source of cash for homeowners. According to the latest data from analytics firm Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), American homeowners held $11.4 trillion in tappable equity at the start of the third quarter.
So far this year, more than half a million homeowners have accessed a combined $54 billion in equity, primarily through second mortgages. Other popular options include home equity lines of credit and cash-out refinancing.
Home equity investments occupy a small but growing share of the market. The interest in this type of product has led several states, including Connecticut, Maryland and Maine, to regulate these contracts as if they were consumer loans.
At the federal level, Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Home Equity Lending Integrity Act (S. 4803) on June 17, 2026. The legislation would amend the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) to treat home equity investments as residential mortgages, extending the consumer protections federal law provides. Equity sharing agreements currently operate without a regulatory framework.
How we chose the best home equity sharing companies
To select our top home equity sharing picks, we conducted extensive research to identify five key data points to assess companies. We then scored each company across those categories, resulting in an overall weighted score. Our weightings were as follows: Geographic availability (25%), payoff term (20%), maximum loan amount (20%), minimum credit score (20%) and eligible property types (15%). We favored companies with wide availability, long payoff terms, high loan amounts and low credit score requirements.
Below are the details for each data point we reviewed.
- Geographic availability: We assessed the availability of equity-sharing agreements and weighted companies licensed to operate in more states more heavily.
- Payoff terms: We evaluated each company on how long clients had to repay the investment, placing greater emphasis on longer terms.
- Maximum loan amount: We prioritized companies that offered higher maximum investment amounts over those with lower caps.
- Credit score minimum: Home equity investments work differently from traditional loans. Although most will accept lower-than-usual credit scores, we prioritized those that had the lowest minimums.
- Eligible property types: Companies with more options were ranked higher than those with fewer options.
Aside from the above winners, other companies we considered included EquiFi, QuantumRE and HomePace.
We verified company terms against provider disclosure pages on August 31, 2026. Sources: CFPB Issue Spotlight: Home Equity Contracts: Market Overview, Point, Hometap, Unlock, Unison, Splitero.
Summary of our top picks for the 5 best home equity sharing companies of October 2026
- Point: Best overall
- Hometap: Best for large payment amounts
- Unlock: Best for flexible buyout options
- Unison: Best for flexible terms
- Splitero: Best perks