Home equity agreement companies give you a lump sum of cash today in exchange for a share of what your home is worth later, with no monthly payments along the way. This page compares six of them on the things that decide whether you qualify and what it could cost you: minimum credit score, states served, how much you could get, the term, how the company’s share is worked out, fees and property rules.
Every figure below was read on the company’s own website on October 6, 2026, and where a company does not publish one, we say so. Your state and your credit score will usually rule out most of the list before price does. You will also see these products called home equity investments or equity sharing agreements, and we use each company’s own name for its product.
Best home equity agreement companies by situation
There are no scores or star ratings here. Each label is a fact from the company’s own pages, and the tables below show how the other five compare on it.
Hometap could invest $15,000 to $600,000, the lowest published minimum here paired with the highest maximum. The minimum varies by state.
Get an Estimate at Hometap
Unlock invests in second homes and rental properties with a 500 minimum credit score. Pricing is typically higher for a rental.
Get an Estimate at Unlock
Point is available in select regions of 29 states and Washington, D.C. No monthly payments. No income requirements.
See My Offer at Point
Splitero has a 500 minimum credit score and says it will not ask for income or employment documents. Terms run 10 to 30 years.
Get an Estimate at Splitero
With Unison you return what you received, plus or minus its share of the change in your home’s value. Generally needs a 620 mid-FICO score.
See Cash Estimate at Unison
Nada goes up to 30% of your home’s value, to a maximum of $600,000, in the 12 states we list for it.
Get Cash Estimate at NadaWhere companies tie: Unlock, Point, Splitero and Nada each publish a 500 minimum credit score. Four companies reach a $600,000 maximum. Point and Unison both have a 30-year term, and a Splitero term could run that long.
Home equity agreement companies compared
These are the published starting points. Meeting them does not mean you will be approved, and each company sets your final amount after it values the home.
| Company | Minimum credit score | States | Amount | Term | Company fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hometap | 575 FICO | 27 | $15,000 to $600,000, up to 27% of home value | 10 years | 4.5%, up to $20,000 |
| Unlock | 500 | 26 | $15,000 to $500,000 | 10 years | 4.9% |
| Point | 500 | 29 plus D.C. (select regions) | $30,000 to $600,000, generally up to 20% of home value | 30 years | Up to 3.9% ($2,000 minimum) |
| Splitero | 500 | 17 | $50,000 to $600,000, up to 25% of home value | 10 to 30 years | 4.99% |
| Unison | 620 mid-FICO, generally | 22 plus D.C. | $30,000 to $500,000, up to 15% of home value | 30 years | 3.9% |
| Nada | 500 (720 for an investment property) | 12 (see note) | $20,000 to $600,000, up to 30% of home value | 10 years | 4.9% in total |
The fee column is the company’s own fee. Appraisal, title, escrow and recording costs are extra, and all of it comes out of the cash you receive. Hometap’s minimum varies by state. Unlock does not publish a share-of-home-value limit for the cash amount. Nada’s fee is 3% origination plus 1.5% underwriting and 0.4% processing. For Nada we list 12 states, and the state section below explains why.
More: Home equity options by credit score
This is where the cost sits. Four of the six earn a percentage of the whole home’s value when you settle, and two share only in how much the value changes. The examples are each company’s own and use different assumptions, so read them as illustrations of the method, not as quotes you can line up against each other.
| Company | What it shares in | Published example | Cap on the cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hometap | A share of the home’s value on the day you settle | In Hometap’s example, receiving 10% of your home’s value means a Hometap Percentage of 16.5% if you settle in years 0 to 5 and 18% in years 6 to 10. | 18.5% a year, compounded monthly, or lower where state law requires. You pay the lesser of the cap and the percentage. |
| Unlock | A share of the home’s value when the agreement ends | Unlock’s cost page example gives it 17% of the ending value for 10% of today’s value. Its estimator uses an exchange rate of 1.8. | Annualized Cost Limit of 19.9% a year, or lower where state law requires. |
| Point | A portion of the home’s future appreciation, counted from a risk-adjusted starting value | In Point’s example, a $500,000 home receiving $50,000 is given a starting value of $365,000, a 27% risk adjustment. | A Homeowner Protection Cap based on a fixed annual rate, compounded monthly. Point does not publish the rate. |
| Splitero | A share of the home’s value at repurchase | In Splitero’s example, 10% of the home’s value in cash carries a 20% split percentage. | Safety Cap of 17.99% a year, compounded monthly. |
| Unison | The amount you received, plus or minus a share of the change in value | Typically four times the percentage invested: receive 10% and Unison shares in 40% of the change, counted from a starting value 5% below the appraisal. | No overall cap published. An Equity Appreciation Limit applies only if you end the agreement in the first five years, when Unison does not share in a loss. |
| Nada | A share of the home’s value at payoff | An equity multiple of 1.85: receive 10% and Nada’s share is 18.5%, up to a maximum share of 49.99%. | Annualized cost limit of 19.99% a year, or the state maximum if lower. |
Your own percentage is set in your offer and depends on your home, your state and how much cash you take.
Property types, lien position and rentals
All six secure their interest with a lien on the home. They differ on how far back in line they will sit and on homes you do not live in.
| Company | Property types | Lien position | Second homes and rentals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hometap | Single-family homes, condos, multi-family homes (1 to 4 units) and manufactured homes | Second lien allowed. Hometap says it will not go lower than third lien position. | Vacation and rental properties are on its eligible list. |
| Unlock | Single-family homes, condos, townhomes and 2 to 4 unit properties. Not co-ops, mobile or manufactured homes. | No lower than second lien position. | Yes, second homes and rental properties. Pricing is typically higher for a rental, and rental income has to be verified. |
| Point | Single-family homes, condos, townhomes and 1 to 4 unit properties, including modular homes. Not manufactured or mobile homes, co-ops or property held in an LLC. | Prefers first or second lien position and must be at least third. | Yes, investment properties and second homes, under different underwriting criteria. |
| Splitero | Single-family homes, condos, townhomes and 2 to 4 unit properties, including homes held by a trust or LLC. Not modular or manufactured homes. | Junior to your mortgage, or first position if you have none. In Missouri, second or third lien only. | In some cases. One Splitero answer says a second home or investment property may be eligible, and another says the home must be owner-occupied at origination. |
| Unison | Single-family homes, townhouses and condos that are your primary residence | Second position if you have a mortgage. | In some cases. Unison says it does not generally invest in rental properties. |
| Nada | Single-family homes, PUDs, site condos, townhomes and multi-family homes of up to 4 units. Not traditional condos, co-ops or manufactured homes. | Junior lien behind your mortgage, or first position if you have none. | Yes. Second homes at a 500 score. Investment properties need a 720 score and are capped at $100,000. |
The six companies, one by one
The numbers are for reference only. They are not scores, and the companies are not ranked against each other. Each card says who the company fits and what to know before you apply.
Why it is here: Hometap could invest $15,000 to $600,000, up to 27% of your home’s value, with no monthly payments during the 10-year term. Its published starting points are a minimum FICO score of 575 and at least 25% equity in your home, with a property located in an eligible state, among other qualifying criteria. It has no income or employment requirements.
Worth knowing: You settle once, at or before year 10, for an agreed percentage of what the home is worth at that time, limited by a cap of 18.5% a year, compounded monthly. Hometap’s fee is 4.5% of the investment, up to $20,000. Fees are deducted from your investment proceeds rather than paid upfront.
Why it is here: Unlock pays $15,000 to $500,000 for a share of your home’s future value, with a minimum credit score of 500 and no income requirement. It invests in primary residences, second homes and rental properties, and it lets you buy out its share in partial payments during the term.
Worth knowing: You need at least 30% home equity and a home worth $175,000 or more, and Unlock must be in no lower than second lien position. The origination fee is 4.9%, and an Annualized Cost Limit holds Unlock’s return to 19.9% a year. On a rental, pricing is typically higher and the rental income has to be verified.
Why it is here: No monthly payments. No income requirements. No need for perfect credit. Point’s Home Equity Investment has a 30-year term, and you can buy back your equity at any time within it with no penalty. Point is available in select regions of 29 states and Washington, D.C., and requires a minimum credit score of 500.
Worth knowing: Point shares in your home’s future appreciation, counted from a risk-adjusted starting value that is lower than the appraisal. A Homeowner Protection Cap limits what you owe, but Point does not publish the rate. The processing fee is up to 3.9% with a $2,000 minimum, and the home must be worth at least $155,000.
Why it is here: Splitero requires a 500 minimum credit score and says it will not ask for income or employment documents. You could get $50,000 to $600,000, up to 25% of your home’s value, and the term runs as long as your first mortgage, from 10 to 30 years.
Worth knowing: Splitero operates in eligible areas of 17 states, and the home must appraise between $200,000 and $5,000,000. The origination fee is 4.99%, and a Safety Cap of 17.99% a year, compounded monthly, limits the repurchase amount. Prequalifying uses a soft credit pull and the full application a hard one.
Why it is here: Unison’s agreement runs for 30 years. You receive $30,000 to $500,000, up to 15% of your home’s value, and when you sell or buy Unison out you return that amount plus or minus its share of the change in your home’s value.
Worth knowing: Unison says applicants generally need a mid-FICO score of at least 620, and it reviews income as well as credit. Its agreements are typically for homes you live in, and for the first five years Unison does not share in a loss. The transaction fee is 3.9%, and you also pay for a home inspection, which Unison puts at $650 to $1,050.
Why it is here: Nada goes up to 30% of your home’s value, to a maximum of $600,000 on a primary or second home, for a 10-year term with a 500 minimum credit score. Among the six companies here, it is the only one that lists Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
Worth knowing: Nada asks for proof of employment but sets no minimum income. Its fees add up to 4.9% of the investment, and its annualized cost limit is 19.99% a year. Investment properties need a 720 score and are capped at $100,000, and traditional condos are not eligible.
Which states each company serves
These are the lists on each company’s own site today. Several say they serve only parts of a state, so a listed state is a starting point, and the estimate form will tell you whether your address is eligible.
| Hometap (27) | Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. |
|---|---|
| Unlock (26) | Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. |
| Point (29 plus D.C.) | Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. Select regions only, and availability may vary by county. |
| Splitero (17) | Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming. Eligible areas only. Wyoming has a $75,000 minimum. |
| Unison (22 plus D.C.) | Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. |
| Nada (12) | Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Washington. |
Some states are on only one of the six lists: Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma (Nada), Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa and Maryland (Point), Rhode Island (Unison) and Vermont (Unlock). Arizona, California, Florida and South Carolina are on all six.
If you click a company that does not serve your state, our link may open another company from this page that does.
States with no home equity agreement company
None of the six lists Alaska, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Dakota, South Dakota or West Virginia. Texas appears only on Nada’s own eligibility page. It is not one of the 12 states we list for Nada, so treat it as unconfirmed and ask Nada directly.
In those states the realistic ways to use your equity are a HELOC, a home equity loan, a cash-out refinance or, from age 62, a reverse mortgage. Each of those is a loan, so approval rests more on your credit and income than an agreement does. Figure lists its HELOC as available in all seven of those states, and the next section covers it.
If you would rather borrow: Figure’s HELOC
A home equity line of credit is a different product from everything above. It is a loan secured by your home, with interest and a monthly payment, and you keep all of your home’s future value. It also asks more of your credit and income.
Figure is the HELOC lender on this page. These are the terms on its HELOC page as of October 6, 2026.
| Product | Home equity line of credit, with fixed and variable rate options |
|---|---|
| Line amount | $15,000 to $750,000. The minimum is $25,001 in Alaska and $35,000 in Texas. |
| APR | Available initial APRs range from 7.35% to 14.85%. Figure says that range includes paying a higher origination fee in exchange for a reduced rate, and that the lowest APRs are only for the most qualified applicants who choose a 10-year term. |
| Origination fee | Up to 4.99% of the initial draw |
| Terms | 10, 15, 20 or 30 years |
| How the draw works | On the fixed rate line the full amount, minus the origination fee, is drawn at origination. As you repay the balance you may draw again. |
| Speed | Approval may come in five minutes and funding in as few as five days for qualifying loans. Figure says that timeline assumes a loan under $400,000 closed with its online notary. |
| Credit and income | Figure asks for a strong credit score, a consistent payment history and a manageable debt-to-income ratio, and it verifies income and employment. It does not publish a minimum score on that page. The lowest band in its rate calculator is 640 to 659. |
| Property | Its rate calculator offers primary, secondary and investment property types. |
| States | 48 states and Washington, D.C. Hawaii and New York are not on its list, and the variable rate option is not offered in every state. |
A HELOC fits a homeowner whose credit is in or above that calculator band, who has room in the budget for a monthly payment and who wants to keep all of the home’s future value. Checking your rate with Figure does not affect your credit score, according to its site.
Read the full Figure HELOC review
More: HEI vs HELOC: costs, requirements and how to choose
What you give up with a home equity agreement
A home equity agreement swaps a monthly payment for a share of your home. That swap has a price, and the price arrives at the end.
What you get
- No monthly payments. Nothing is due to the company until you sell, refinance, buy it out or reach the end of the term.
- Lower credit minimums. Four of the six publish a 500 minimum credit score.
- Income matters less. Hometap, Unlock, Point and Splitero publish no income requirement. Nada asks for proof of employment with no minimum income.
- Large lump sums. Published maximums are $500,000 or $600,000, depending on the company.
What you give up
- You give up part of the home’s future value. If the home gains value the company’s share grows with it, and the total could exceed what a HELOC or home equity loan would have cost over the same years.
- It could cost you even if the home does not gain value. In the share-of-value examples above, 10% of the home in cash becomes 16.5% to 20% of the home at the end.
- There is a deadline. Terms run from 10 to 30 years, and you settle in one payment through a sale, a refinance or savings.
- Fees come out of your cash. Company fees here run from 3.9% to 4.99%, before appraisal, title and recording costs.
The company also records a lien on the home, and you stay responsible for your mortgage, property taxes, insurance and upkeep for the whole term. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s January 2025 report on home equity contracts warns that homeowners who cannot pay the full settlement amount might be forced to sell, so decide how you expect to settle before you sign.
How to choose a home equity agreement company
- Start with your state. Find it in the state table above. If only one company lists it, most of the choice is already made.
- Check your credit score against the minimums. 500 at Unlock, Point, Splitero and Nada, a FICO score of 575 at Hometap, and generally a mid-FICO score of 620 at Unison.
- Decide how long you need. 10 years at Hometap, Unlock and Nada, 30 years at Point and Unison, and 10 to 30 years at Splitero. A longer term gives you more time to settle and gives the company’s share more time to grow.
- Compare how the share is worked out. A share of the whole home’s value costs something even if the price never moves. A share of the change in value costs less when the home gains little and more when it gains a lot. Ask for the cap in writing.
- Subtract the fees. Take the company fee and the third-party costs off the offer to see the cash you would actually receive.
- Get more than one estimate. Ask each company for the same cash amount and compare the percentage it wants in return. Unlock, Point, Unison, Splitero and Nada each say the first estimate or prequalification does not affect your credit score.
Estimate what you could get with the Smarts home equity calculator, then take that number to two or three of the companies above.
More: How to get equity out of your home without refinancing
Home equity agreement FAQ
It depends on the company and on your home. Published maximums are $600,000 at Hometap, Point, Splitero and Nada, and $500,000 at Unlock and Unison. Most also limit the cash to a share of your home’s value, from 15% at Unison to 30% at Nada. The quickest way to see a number for your own home is to get an estimate from Hometap.
Unlock, Point, Splitero and Nada each publish a minimum credit score of 500. Hometap‘s published minimum is a FICO score of 575, and Unison says applicants generally need a mid-FICO score of at least 620. Nada requires a 720 score for an investment property.
You give up a share of your home’s future value, and the cost comes due in one payment when you sell, refinance or reach the end of the term. If the home gains value, that share could cost more than a HELOC would have, and fees of 3.9% to 4.99% come out of the cash you receive.
None of the six companies on this page lists Alaska, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Dakota, South Dakota or West Virginia. Texas appears only on Nada’s own eligibility page. In those states a HELOC or a home equity loan is the usual route.
Yes, at some companies. Unlock invests in second homes and rental properties, Point accepts investment properties and second homes under different underwriting criteria, and Hometap lists vacation and rental properties as eligible. Nada accepts investment properties with a 720 credit score, capped at $100,000. Unison and Splitero say only in some cases.
Neither is better for everyone. An agreement has no monthly payments and lower credit minimums, but you give up part of your home’s future value. A HELOC is a loan with interest and a monthly payment, and you keep all of the home’s future value. If you could qualify for a HELOC and afford the payment, price one first. Figure is the HELOC lender covered on this page.
How we compared these companies
This comparison is the editorial work of Smarts. On October 6, 2026 we read each company’s own product, eligibility, pricing and FAQ pages and recorded what it publishes for every point in the tables. We also opened each company’s application page to see where it leads.
We did not score or rank the companies, and there are no star ratings on this page. The picks are labels tied to a published fact. This page covers six companies. Others offer similar agreements and are not compared here. Terms change, so confirm them with the company before you sign.
Sources
- Hometap: FAQs, How It Works, the pricing guide “How Hometap’s Home Equity Investment Pricing Model Works” (updated June 18, 2026) and “Refinancing with an Active Home Equity Investment” (hometap.com)
- Unlock: FAQs and What It Costs (unlock.com)
- Point: Home Equity Investment page and help center articles on eligibility, availability, home types, fees, amounts and the Homeowner Protection Cap (point.com, help.point.com)
- Splitero: How It Works, Eligibility, Pricing and FAQs (splitero.com)
- Unison: Equity Sharing Agreement page and FAQs (unison.com)
- Nada: Eligibility, Pricing and FAQs (nada.co)
- Figure: Home Equity Line of Credit page and its disclosures (figure.com)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Issue Spotlight, Home Equity Contracts: Market Overview (January 15, 2025)
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Terms, pricing and availability change. Confirm the current terms on the company’s site before you apply.
