Unlock your home equity without monthly payments or interest. Home Equity Investment agreements give you 10-30% of your home's value as cash today—no loan required.
Hometap
Industry leader with over $1 billion invested in homeowners. Hometap offers up to $600K with zero monthly payments and flexible settlement options. The most trusted name in home equity investments.
Quick Comparison: Top 3 HEI Companies
| Company | Max Investment | Equity Share | Term Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hometap
Large Payments
|
$600K | 10-30% | 10 years | Get Quote → |
|
Aspire HEI
Lower Fees
|
$250K | Complex* | 15 years | Get Quote → |
|
Unison
Longest Term
|
$500K | Variable* | 30 years | Get Quote → |
*Complex formulas: Aspire calculates share as 3.25× your initial payment percentage. Unison's share is proportional to investment amount and varies by individual circumstances.
In-Depth Reviews
With 10+ years of financial expertise, we spent 40+ hours testing these companies. Ratings reflect our independent analysis of terms, transparency, customer service, and overall value.
Hometap
Industry leader with over $1 billion invested, serving 10,000+ homeowners across 20+ states.
Pros
- Largest investment amounts up to $600K
- Available in 20+ states nationwide
- No monthly payments or interest charges
- Can settle anytime within 10 years
- Transparent pricing and terms
- Excellent customer reviews (4.8/5)
Cons
- Minimum $600K home value required
- Not available in all states
- Share in appreciation can be significant
Hometap is the gold standard for home equity investments. With over $1 billion deployed to homeowners and a proven 10-year track record, they offer the best combination of generous terms, nationwide availability, and transparent pricing. Perfect for homeowners needing substantial cash without monthly payments.
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Aspire HEI
Newer entrant with consumer protections and lower fees, though with higher credit requirements and limited availability.
Pros
- Lowest fees at just 3% (vs 4.5-4.9% competitors)
- Built-in consumer protections with cost caps
- Shares only in change in value, not full property
- No monthly payments or interest
- Backed by publicly traded Redwood Trust
- Remodeling adjustment protects your improvements
Cons
- Highest credit requirement at 660+ minimum
- Lowest maximum investment at $250K
- Complex equity share calculation (3.25× formula)
- Limited to just 11 states plus D.C.
- Higher minimum at $35K vs $15K competitors
- Newer company with limited track record (2023)
Aspire HEI offers the lowest fees in the industry at 3%, making it attractive for cost-conscious homeowners with good credit (660+). However, the complex equity share formula (3.25× your initial payment percentage) can result in higher costs at settlement, and the $250K maximum is significantly lower than competitors. Best for homeowners with strong credit who prioritize low upfront fees and don't need large amounts.
Lowest Fees in the Industry
Just 3% origination with consumer protections
Unison
Industry pioneer with the longest 30-year term and widest availability across 29 states.
Pros
- Longest 30-year term in the industry
- Most widely available (29 states + D.C.)
- Industry pioneer since 2004 with proven track record
- Up to $500K available (15% of home value)
- No monthly payments or interest
- Shares in depreciation too (protects in down markets)
- Lower credit requirement at 620 minimum
- Over 12,000 homeowners served
Cons
- Higher fees at 3.9% (vs 3% competitors)
- Complex share calculation (proportional to investment)
- 5% discount applied to home value at start
- Mixed customer reviews on long-term costs
- May complicate future refinancing
Unison pioneered the HEI industry in 2004 and offers the longest 30-year term available, making it ideal for homeowners planning to stay long-term who want maximum flexibility. With availability in 29 states (more than any competitor) and a lower 620 credit requirement, they're highly accessible. The 30-year timeline means you're never rushed to sell or refinance. Best for homeowners who prioritize flexibility and don't plan to move for many years.
Maximum Flexibility with 30-Year Terms
Longest timeline and widest availability
How We Evaluated HEI Companies
With over 10 years of experience in personal finance, we spent 40+ hours researching and evaluating home equity investment companies. We analyzed dozens of options based on the following criteria:
Investment Terms
Maximum amounts, equity shares, and settlement flexibility
Transparency
Clear pricing, no hidden fees, straightforward terms
Speed
Application time, approval process, and funding timeline
Customer Reviews
Real homeowner feedback and satisfaction ratings
Service
Customer support quality and settlement assistance
Availability
Number of states served and eligibility requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Home Equity Investment (HEI)?
A Home Equity Investment allows you to access cash from your home's value without taking out a loan. You receive a lump sum payment in exchange for sharing a percentage of your home's future appreciation. There are no monthly payments, no interest charges, and you keep your existing mortgage. When you sell your home or reach the end of the term, you settle by paying back the original investment plus a share of the appreciation.
How much money can I get from an HEI?
Most HEI companies like Hometap offer between $25,000 and $600,000, depending on your home's current value, location, and the company's maximum investment limits. Generally, you can access 10-30% of your home's equity. The exact amount depends on factors like your home's appraised value, how much equity you have, and your creditworthiness.
What are the advantages of an HEI vs a HELOC or home equity loan?
Unlike traditional home equity loans or HELOCs, HEIs require no monthly payments and charge no interest. You're not adding to your debt—instead, you're sharing future appreciation. HEIs are ideal if you're cash-strapped, want to avoid monthly payments, or don't qualify for traditional lending due to credit or income issues. The trade-off is that if your home appreciates significantly, you'll pay more than you would have with a fixed-rate loan.
How do I settle or pay back an HEI?
Settlement typically happens when you sell your home, refinance, or reach the end of your agreement term (usually 5-30 years). You repay the original investment amount plus or minus your agreed-upon percentage of the home's appreciation or depreciation. Hometap and other top providers allow early settlement with no penalties, giving you flexibility to pay off the investment whenever you want.
Which HEI company is the best?
It depends on your priorities. Hometap is our top pick for homeowners needing large payment amounts (up to $600K) with transparent pricing and a proven 10-year track record. Unison offers the longest 30-year term and widest availability (29 states), making it ideal for homeowners planning to stay long-term. Aspire HEI has the lowest fees at just 3% but requires higher credit (660+) and has lower maximums ($250K). Your best choice depends on how much you need, how long you plan to stay, and your credit profile.
Access Your Home Equity Without Monthly Payments
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