Unison
Cash from your home equity with no monthly payments
Updated October 6, 2026 · By the MoneyAtlas Editorial Team
on Unison's site
Pros
Shares the downside: If your home loses value, Unison takes part of the loss, so you can repay less than you received.
Low upfront fee: A one-time 3.9% transaction fee, with no interest and no monthly payment for up to 30 years.
Exit on your schedule: You can buy out the contract or sell the home at any point in the term.
Cons
Stricter qualification: You need a 620 credit score, 35% equity, and a clean five-year record with no disqualifying liens.
Limited footprint: Unison invests in only 22 states plus Washington, DC.
Gains are shared: In a strong market, Unison's share of appreciation can cost more than a loan's interest would have.
Why we rate it 4.2/5
Worth it if you have 620+ credit, real equity, and want cash with no monthly payment. Skip it if you live outside its 22 states or expect big appreciation.
A 3.9% one-time fee with no interest undercuts most HEI fees, though you still give up part of any appreciation.
$30,000 to $500,000 covers most needs, capped at 15% of the home's value.
A 620 credit floor, 35% equity minimum, strict lien rules, and 22 states plus DC narrow the pool.
A 30-year term with buyout or sale allowed at any time and no monthly payments.
Unison shares in losses as well as gains, and eligibility rules are published plainly upfront.
At a Glance
How Unison Works
Unison calls its product an equity sharing agreement. It is a home equity investment, not a loan: Unison pays you a lump sum today and, when the agreement ends, you pay back the original amount plus or minus a portion of the change in your home's value.
How to Get Cash From Unison
- 1
Check if you prequalify
You answer a short form about your home, your mortgage, and your credit score. Unison tells you right away whether you prequalify for its equity sharing agreement.
- 2
Apply and send documents
If you prequalify, you complete the full application and upload supporting documents. Your file then moves into underwriting, which includes a review of title, liens, and property value.
- 3
Accept the offer and get funded
Unison sends a final offer. Once you accept, the 3.9% transaction fee comes out of the funding and the rest is paid to you. You can use the money for any purpose.
- 4
Settle the agreement
You can buy out the contract or sell the home at any point in the 30-year term. At settlement you return the amount you received, adjusted up or down by Unison's share of the change in your home's value.
What Unison Costs
Unison charges no interest and no monthly payment. The two real costs are the upfront fee and the share of your home's value change that goes to Unison when you settle.
Worked example: Say your home is worth $500,000 and Unison invests 10%, or $50,000. The 3.9% transaction fee is $1,950, so you net about $48,050. Years later you sell. If the home has gained value, you repay the $50,000 plus Unison's agreed share of the gain. If it has lost value, Unison absorbs part of the loss and you repay less than $50,000.
That downside sharing is the main difference from a HELOC, where you owe the balance plus interest no matter what the market does. In a strong market, though, sharing the gain can cost more than a loan's interest would have. Your contract spells out the exact share, so read that figure before you sign.
Eligibility and Where Unison Operates
Borrower and property requirements
- Credit score of 620 or higher
- No bankruptcy, foreclosure, or unpaid public records in the last five years
- At least 35% equity before funding, and 30% after Unison's investment
- All mortgage payments current
- Valid Social Security number or U.S. green card
- Primary residence; second homes and rentals may qualify at different pricing
Liens Unison will not fund around
Unison declines homes with private liens, judgment liens, property tax in arrears at closing, a reverse mortgage, or another equity sharing agreement already recorded.
States where Unison invests
Who Unison Is For
Good fit: Homeowners with fair-to-good credit and plenty of equity who want a large lump sum without adding a monthly bill. It also suits people who are wary of a falling local market, since Unison shares in losses as well as gains.
Look elsewhere: If your credit is under 620 or you live outside Unison's states, compare Hometap and Point, which serve different markets. If you expect fast appreciation and can afford a payment, a HELOC will likely cost less over time.