A home equity investment, or HEI, hands you a lump sum now. In return the company gets a share of what your home is worth later, when you sell, refinance or reach the end of the term. Nothing is due monthly and no interest builds up.
Most of the six companies below don't ask for income at all, and some will look at a credit score as low as 500. That's why an HEI could work for you when a HELOC turns you down.
Where you live decides more than anything else, so start with the state table. Checking an estimate is free, it's a soft credit pull, and none of it obligates you to anything.
- None of the six charge a monthly payment. You settle when you sell, refinance or the term ends.
- Credit minimums run from 500 at Unlock, Point, Splitero and Nada up to 620 at Unison. Hometap asks for 575.
- The biggest amounts are up to $600K at Hometap, Point, Splitero and Nada. Unlock and Unison top out at $500K.
- Coverage ranges from Point at 29 states plus D.C. down to Nada at 12.
- Unlock is the only company here in Vermont. Nada is the only one in Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
Which companies fund your state
Coverage varies more than pricing does. Find your state here first, then look at credit and term.
| Company | States | Where it funds |
|---|---|---|
| Hometap | 27 | AL, AZ, CA, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, KY, MI, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, UT, VA, WI |
| Unlock | 26 | AL, AZ, CA, FL, HI, ID, IN, KY, MI, MO, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, UT, VT, VA, WI, WY |
| Point | 29 + D.C. | AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, IA, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, UT, VA, WA, WI and DC |
| Unison | 22 + D.C. | AZ, CA, DE, FL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, NV, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, RI, SC, TN, UT, VA, WI and DC |
| Splitero | 17 | AZ, CA, FL, ID, MO, MT, NV, NJ, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, UT, VA, WA, WY |
| Nada | 12 | AR, AZ, CA, FL, KS, LA, MI, OK, OR, PA, SC, WA |
Two-letter postal codes, with DC for Washington, D.C. Point serves select regions, and availability can vary by county.
No company on this page lists Alaska, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas or West Virginia. In Vermont only Unlock does, and in Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma only Nada does.
The six side by side
Every one of them has a $0 monthly payment, so the differences come down to amount, credit minimum, term and reach.
| Company | Funding | Minimum credit | Term | States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hometap | Up to $600K | 575 | 10 years | 27 |
| Unlock | Up to $500K | 500 | 10 years | 26 |
| Point | Up to $600K | 500 | 30 years | 29 + D.C. |
| Unison | Up to $500K | 620 | 30 years | 22 + D.C. |
| Splitero | Up to $600K | 500 | Up to 30 years | 17 |
| Nada | Up to $600K | 500 | 10 years | 12 |
Unison invests a maximum of $500,000 or 15% of your home's current value, whichever is less, with a $30,000 minimum. Its equity share varies by circumstances. Terms as of October 2026.
The six companies
Each company is a little different on credit, amount and term. Read the part that matters to you before you ask for an estimate.
1. Hometap
Hometap could put up to $600K in your hands, the highest cap on this page, with nothing due each month. You settle when you sell or when the 10-year term ends, and you could settle early with no prepayment penalty.
Hometap earns a share of your home's future value. The share comes from a multiplier on the percentage of value you access: 1.65x if you settle in years 0 to 5 and 1.8x in years 6 to 10. Access 10% and that works out to a 16.5% or 18% share of your home's future value.
Credit starts at 575, among other qualifying criteria, and your home has to be located in an eligible state. There's no income requirement, and because it isn't structured as debt, it doesn't affect your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. Investment homes, condos and multi-family homes could qualify.
Hometap says it has invested $2B+ across 25,000+ homeowners. Its home improvement credit also leaves equity you added through upgrades out of its share.
What works
- No payments until you sell or settle
- No income requirement
- Investment homes, condos and multi-family homes could qualify
- Home improvement credit protects equity you built through upgrades
What to weigh
- LTV up to 75%, which is high next to other HEI providers
- Only 27 states
- Funds could take 3+ weeks to arrive
- Settlement is due at a sale or at the end of the 10-year term
Hometap pairs the largest amounts on this page with clear pricing and flexible exit terms. If you want substantial cash without monthly payments and your state is covered, it's a sensible first quote.
2. Unlock
Unlock is the one to try when approval is the sticking point, not the amount. It looks at credit from around 500 and runs no income or employment check at all, on a home you already own.
It reaches 26 states, behind only Point and Hometap here, and it's the only company on this page in Vermont. It will also look at a second home or a rental, which most of this category won't touch.
The floor is $30,000, so it suits mid-sized needs better than small ones. The trade-off is the fixed 10-year window, which means your settlement date is picked for you. If you want a longer runway, price Point or Unison first.
What works
- Credit from around 500, tying the lowest bar here
- No income or employment verification at any point
- 26 states, more than Unison or Splitero
- Primary homes, second homes and investment property are all eligible
What to weigh
- 10-year term, against up to 30 at Point and Unison
- Around 4.9% origination on top of appraisal and closing costs
- Caps at $500,000, below Hometap and Point
- A fixed settlement window could force an exit in a down market
Unlock is the pick when approval is the problem rather than the amount. Credit from about 500, no income or employment check and a second-home option make it the easiest door here.
3. Point
Point is the one to check first if credit or location has ruled the others out. It accepts scores from 500, well under Hometap's 575 and Unison's 620, and it reaches 29 states plus D.C., more than anyone else on this page. Availability varies by county inside those states.
You choose when to exit over a term of up to 30 years, and you can buy back your equity at any time with no prepayment penalty. Nothing is due monthly, and the $600K cap matches the highest here.
Point shares in your home's future appreciation, the same trade all six companies ask for. Compare the offer you actually receive, not the headline terms.
What works
- Accepts credit scores from 500
- No income requirement and no monthly payments
- Up to $600K, matching the highest cap here
- Buy back your equity at any time with no prepayment penalty
What to weigh
- Availability varies by county within listed states
- You share in future appreciation, which costs more if values climb
- An appraisal or automated valuation is required
Point is the strongest all-rounder for borrowers shut out elsewhere. The 500 floor and the 29 states plus D.C. reach homeowners the others can't.
4. Unison
Unison has been in the HEI business since 2006, and its 30-year term means nobody is rushing you to sell or refinance. It invests a maximum of $500,000 or 15% of your home's current value, whichever is less, with a $30,000 minimum.
It also shares in depreciation, so you settle for less if your home loses value. Nothing is due monthly and no interest builds up.
Watch the cost. Unison's origination is about 3.9%, compared with 4.5% at Hometap, but a 5% discount is applied to your home's starting value and the equity share formula is complicated. It may also complicate a future refinance.
The 620 credit minimum is the highest of the six, so check it before you count on Unison. It covers 22 states plus D.C. Where you do qualify, it fits homeowners planning to stay for the long haul.
What works
- Longest-running company, with a 30-year term
- No monthly payments or interest
- Shares in depreciation if values fall
- No prepayment penalty
What to weigh
- Origination of 3.9%
- Complex equity share formula
- 5% discount applied to your starting home value
- May complicate future refinancing
Unison is built for owners who plan to stay put. The 30-year term and the downside sharing are its best features, and the 620 credit bar is its main hurdle.
5. Splitero
Splitero is the easiest of these if income is the sticking point. There's no income or employment check at all, credit starts at 500, and it's the only company here that will look at a home held in a trust or an LLC.
You can get up to 25% of your home's value, capped at $600,000, which is more generous than Unison's 15%. It can sit behind your existing mortgage in a junior position, or in first position if you own outright.
The catch is reach. It serves 17 states, and most of them are Point states too, so compare the two offers side by side. Your home must also appraise between $200,000 and $5,000,000.
What works
- 500 minimum credit score
- No income or employment requirement
- Homes held in a trust or an LLC are eligible
- Junior or first lien position
What to weigh
- Only 17 states, well behind Point and Unison
- Home must appraise at $200,000 to $5,000,000
Splitero is the pick when you can't document income, or when the home sits in a trust or an LLC. Check Point's offer next to it.
6. Nada
Nada is a niche pick, not a headline one. What earns it a place is coverage: in Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma, it's the only company on this page that can fund you at all.
It matches Point's 500 credit floor, has no minimum income and no asset requirements, and caps at $600,000 or 30% of your home value on a 10-year term. It's also the one option here that will look at second homes and investment properties, though investment properties need a 720 score and cap at $100,000.
It can sit behind your existing mortgage as a junior lien, and your home must appraise at $175,000 or more. If you live in a state the others serve, start with them.
What works
- Credit score from 500
- The only option here in Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma
- No minimum income and no asset requirements
- Second homes and investment properties are eligible
What to weigh
- Smallest footprint here, 12 states and no D.C.
- 10-year maximum term, shorter than Point or Unison
- Home must appraise at $175,000 or more
- Investment properties cap at $100,000
Nada matters if you live in Arkansas, Louisiana or Oklahoma, or own a second home. Anywhere else, check the others first.
What is a home equity investment?
An HEI turns some of your home's equity into cash today. It isn't a loan, there are no monthly payments and no interest. The company earns a share of your home's future value when you eventually sell or settle. Your mortgage, your title and your monthly budget stay as they are.
- Get cash. You receive a lump sum up front to use however you like.
- Keep your home. You still own it, and your mortgage and title stay untouched.
- Settle later. You settle when you sell, refinance or the term ends.
HEI, HELOC or home equity loan
| Feature | HEI | HELOC | Home equity loan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly payment | $0 | Yes | Yes |
| Interest charges | None | Yes | Yes |
| The trade-off | A share of future appreciation | Interest cost | Fixed payments |
Can you document income? A HELOC usually costs less than sharing your home's appreciation, and you keep all the upside. Figure funds in as little as five days.
Prefer a HELOC? Look at Figure
Should you consider an HEI?
It could be a good fit if
- You need cash without a new monthly bill.
- You plan to stay in the home 5+ years.
- You want to keep your current mortgage rate.
- Your credit sits below what HELOCs require.
Skip it if
- You plan to sell soon.
- Your home is in a fast-rising market.
- You plan to refinance soon.
- You want to turn the home into a rental.
All six are free to check, with a soft credit check only.
Which one fits you?
Choose Hometap if
- You want the largest payout, up to $600K
- Your credit score is 575 or higher
- You want a company with a long record, $2B+ invested
- You might want to settle early with no prepayment penalty
Choose Unlock if
- You live in Vermont, where it is the only option here
- Your credit is under 620 and lenders keep saying no
- Your income is hard to document, or you have none to show
- The property is a second home or a rental
- You need $30,000 or more and a 10-year window works
Choose Point if
- Your credit score is under 575 and Hometap is out of reach
- Your state is not on Hometap's or Unison's list
- You want a long runway, up to 30 years, with no monthly payments
- You have no regular income to document
Choose Unison if
- You plan to stay in your home for the long term
- You want 30 years to settle instead of 10
- You want protection if home values drop
- You live in one of its 22 states or D.C.
Choose Splitero if
- You can't document income or employment at all
- Your credit is under 575 and you live in one of its 17 states
- Your home is held in a trust or an LLC
- You own outright and want a first-position agreement
Choose Nada if
- You live in Arkansas, Louisiana or Oklahoma, where it is the only option here
- Your credit is under 575 and you need the lowest bar available
- You want to use a second home or an investment property
- You have no regular income to document
How we picked
We compared the six companies on the things that decide whether you get funded: credit minimum, amount, term, number of states and what each one asks for. Every company on this page takes a soft credit check for an estimate.
The figures come from each company's published terms as of October 2026. State counts and credit minimums were checked against the companies' own state lists and FAQs.
We don't score or rate these companies. You get the terms, and you can compare them in the tables above.
Home equity investment FAQ
What is a home equity investment (HEI)?
A home equity investment lets you get cash from your home's equity without taking out a loan. You receive a lump sum and share a percentage of your home's future appreciation. There are no monthly payments and no interest, and you keep your existing mortgage. When you sell or reach the end of the term, you settle the original investment plus your share of any appreciation.
Which of these companies works in my state?
That's the first thing to check, since coverage varies more than pricing does. Point is the broadest at 29 states plus D.C. Hometap covers 27, Unlock 26, Unison 22 plus D.C., Splitero 17 and Nada 12. Nada is the only one here in Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma, and Unlock is the only one in Vermont. The state table near the top lists every state.
What credit score do I need for a home equity investment?
Lower than most people expect. Unlock, Point, Splitero and Nada all start at 500. Hometap needs 575. Unison is the strictest, at a 620 mid-FICO. All six run a soft credit check for your estimate.
Can I get one with no income or proof of employment?
Yes, at five of the six. Hometap, Unlock, Point and Nada have no income requirement, and Splitero asks for no income or employment at all. Unison is the exception and applies debt-to-income guidelines. That's the biggest reason people pick an HEI over a HELOC.
Can I use a rental or a second home?
Mostly no, with a few exceptions. Unlock and Nada will look at second homes and investment properties, though Nada's investment properties need a 720 score and cap at $100,000. Splitero will consider homes held in a trust or an LLC. The rest are aimed at primary residences.
How much money can I get from an HEI?
Most HEI companies offer between $20,000 and $600,000, depending on your home's value, location and the company's limits. Generally you can access 10 to 30% of your home's equity. Hometap offers the highest maximum at $600K, matched by Point, Splitero and Nada. Unison caps lower, at $500,000 or 15% of your home's value, whichever is less.
HEI vs HELOC vs home equity loan: what is the difference?
Unlike a HELOC or home equity loan, an HEI has no monthly payments and no interest. You share future appreciation instead of borrowing. It suits you if you want to avoid new monthly obligations or don't qualify for traditional lending. The trade-off is that your settlement cost climbs if your home appreciates a lot. If you can document income and want the lowest rate, Figure offers a fast, fully digital HELOC.
How does HEI settlement work?
Settlement happens when you sell, refinance or reach the end of your term. You settle the original investment plus your share of appreciation. Hometap allows early settlement at any time with no prepayment penalties. Unison allows the same over its 30-year term, and Point lets you buy back your equity at any point in a term of up to 30 years.
Which HEI company is right for me?
It depends on which of the six can fund your state, then on credit and term. Hometap suits most homeowners who qualify, with the highest maximum at $600K and a 10-year term. Point takes credit from 500 and reaches more states than anyone, so try it if credit or location rules the others out. Unison and Point both offer 30-year terms. Nada is narrow at 12 states, but it's the only option in Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma, and it will look at second homes and investment properties.
JG Wentworth calls it a Home Equity Cashout. Is that the same thing?
Yes. A Home Equity Cashout is a home equity agreement under another name: a lump sum today in exchange for a share of your home's future value, no monthly payments, and settlement within 10 years. JG Wentworth's version takes credit scores from 600, has no income requirement and covers 16 states plus D.C., every one of which Point also serves, so pull both numbers if you live in one.
Sources (7)
We use each company's own published terms. Figures on this page reflect them as of October 2026.
- Hometap. Hometap FAQs. hometap.com.
- Unlock. Unlock FAQs. unlock.com.
- Unison. Where Unison is available. unison.com.
- Splitero. How Splitero works. splitero.com.
- Figure. Figure Home Equity Line. figure.com.
- Point and Nada. Credit minimums, funding amounts and state lists from the companies' published program terms.
- JG Wentworth. Home Equity Cashout terms as published by the company.
