Best Home Equity Investment (HEI) Companies for March 2026

Get a cash lump sum today by unlocking a portion of your home’s future value. With no monthly payments and more flexible qualification than traditional loans, a home equity investment can be a simple way to access cash. Compare offers from multiple providers for free, with no impact on your credit score.

Trusted picks · May include partner links
✓ No monthly payments
✓ No interest charges
✓ Keep your mortgage
✓ Up to $600K available
✓ No income requirements
Our top pick: Hometap — Best for large payment amounts

Over $2 billion invested, 22,000+ homeowners served, and up to $600K available with zero monthly payments. The most trusted name in home equity investments with a 4.8/5 customer rating.

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Quick comparison

Side-by-side look at the top HEI companies for 2026.

Company Max investment Equity share Term Min. credit
Hometap
Our Pick
$600K 10–25% 10 years 500+ Get Estimate →
Unison
Longest term
$500K Variable* 30 years 620+ Get Estimate →

*Unison's equity share is proportional to investment amount and varies by individual circumstances. Rates and terms accurate as of March 2026.

In-depth reviews

Our editors spent 40+ hours evaluating terms, transparency, customer experience, and long-term value.

Unison

4.5 / 5.0 — Expert rating

Industry pioneer since 2004 — the longest 30-year term and widest coverage across 29 states and D.C.

30-Year Term
Max investment
$500K
Up to 15%
Equity share
Variable
Proportional
Term length
30 yrs
Industry max
Min. credit
620
Accessible
Monthly payments
$0
Ever
Pros
  • Longest 30-year term in the industry
  • Most states — 29 plus D.C.
  • Industry pioneer since 2004 with 20+ years of history
  • Up to $500K available
  • No monthly payments or interest
  • Shares in depreciation — protection in down markets
  • Lower minimum credit score at 620
Cons
  • Higher origination fees at 3.9%
  • Complex equity share formula
  • 5% discount applied to home value at start
  • Mixed reviews on long-term settlement costs
  • May complicate future refinancing
Our verdict

Unison pioneered the HEI category in 2004 and offers unmatched flexibility with its 30-year term — you're never rushed to sell or refinance. With the widest state availability and a lower 620 credit bar, they're the best option for homeowners planning to stay long-term.

How we evaluated HEI companies

With over 10 years of personal finance experience, we spent 40+ hours researching and stress-testing HEI providers — analyzing terms, fee structures, customer satisfaction, and real settlement outcomes.

💰
Investment terms
Maximums, equity share ranges, and settlement flexibility
📋
Transparency
Clear pricing, no hidden fees, plain-English terms
Speed
Application process, approval timeline, and funding speed
Customer reviews
Real homeowner experiences across review platforms
📱
Service quality
Support responsiveness and settlement assistance
🗺️
Availability
States served and eligibility requirements

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know before applying.

What is a Home Equity Investment (HEI)?+
A Home Equity Investment lets you access cash from your home's equity without taking out a loan. You receive a lump sum in exchange for sharing a percentage of your home's future appreciation — no monthly payments, no interest, and you keep your existing mortgage. When you sell or reach the end of the term, you settle by repaying the original investment plus your share of any appreciation.
How much money can I get from an HEI?+
Most HEI companies offer between $25,000 and $600,000 depending on your home's value, location, and the company's limits. Generally you can access 10–30% of your home's equity. Hometap offers the highest maximum at $600K.
HEI vs HELOC vs home equity loan — what's the difference?+
Unlike a HELOC or home equity loan, an HEI requires no monthly payments and charges no interest — you're sharing future appreciation rather than borrowing. HEIs are ideal if you want to avoid added monthly obligations or don't qualify for traditional lending. The trade-off: if your home appreciates significantly, your settlement cost will be higher than a fixed-rate loan.
How does HEI settlement work?+
Settlement happens when you sell, refinance, or reach the end of your term. You repay the original investment plus your share of appreciation. Hometap allows early settlement at any time with no prepayment penalties. Unison allows the same over their 30-year term.
Which HEI company is right for me?+
Hometap is the best choice for most homeowners — highest maximum ($600K), transparent pricing, lowest credit bar (500), and an industry-leading track record. If you plan to stay many years and need maximum settlement flexibility, Unison's 30-year term is unmatched.
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Brian Meiggs
Brian Meiggs is the founder of My Millennial Guide, where he’s been helping readers take control of their money for over a decade. As a seasoned personal finance writer and entrepreneur, Brian shares practical strategies on saving, investing, and building wealth through side hustles and smart financial habits. His work and insights have been featured in Business Insider, Entrepreneur, Yahoo Finance, and other major publications. Brian’s mission is simple — to help everyday people make smarter money decisions and create financial freedom for themselves.