Quick Answer: Best HEI by Use Case
- Best overall (longest term + flexible exit): Splitero — up to 30-year term, $50K–$500K funding (up to 25% of home value), 4.99% origination.
- Best for highest funding ceiling: Hometap — payouts up to $600K, 4.5% investment fee, 10-year term standard.
- Best for lower credit scores: Unison — cash up to 15% of home value (capped at $500K), 30-year term, accepts 620+ FICO.
Home Equity Investments (HEIs) let you tap your equity without monthly payments — you sell a percentage of your home's future value in exchange for cash today. Splitero's 30-year term is the longest, Hometap funds the largest single deals, and Unison has more flexible credit standards.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Provider | WG Rating | Best For | Max Funding | Term | Origination/Fee | Min Credit Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Splitero (Editor's Pick) | 4.8/5 | Longest term, flexible exit | $50K–$500K (up to 25% of home value) | Up to 30 years | 4.99% origination (min $1,500) | 500+ |
| Hometap | 4.6/5 | Largest single payouts | Up to $600K (up to 25% of home value) | 10 years standard | 4.5% investment fee | ~600 (likes 585+) |
| Unison | 4.3/5 | Lower credit floor | Up to 15% of home value (cap $500K) | Up to 30 years | 3.9% transaction fee | 620+ |
Splitero: Best Term Length and Exit Flexibility
Splitero is one of the few HEI providers offering up to a 30-year term — most competitors lock you into a 10-year term. The funding range is $50,000 to $500,000, up to 25% of your home's value. Splitero takes a percentage of your home's future appreciation in exchange for the upfront cash, and the term runs as long as your senior mortgage or at least 10 years, with a maximum up to 30 years.
The 4.99% origination fee (minimum $1,500) is in the middle of the HEI pack. You'll also pay escrow, title, and closing fees ($500–$1,500), appraisal ($200–$700), and a state credit report fee. Splitero accepts credit scores as low as 500, which is among the lowest minimums in the category.
Best for: Homeowners who don't want a forced exit at the 10-year mark and want maximum flexibility to time their buyout to a refinance, sale, or appreciation cycle.
Pros: Up to 30-year term (3x most competitors). No monthly payments. Accepts credit scores as low as 500. Funding up to $500K. Disclosure: Splitero is a Fiat Growth portfolio company.
Watch-outs: 4.99% origination fee is the highest of the three providers here. Closing-cost stack ($500–$3,000 total) is meaningful on smaller deals. Like every HEI, you're giving up future appreciation upside in exchange for cash today.
Hometap: Largest Single Payouts
Hometap is one of the most established HEI providers, with payouts up to $600,000 — the highest in this comparison. Like Splitero, you can access up to 25% of your home's value. The investment fee is 4.5%, deducted from your proceeds at closing, plus escrow, attorney/notary, and document recording fees.
Hometap's term is generally 10 years, which is the industry standard but meaningfully shorter than Splitero's 30-year option or Unison's 30-year ESA. The credit requirement is a minimum FICO around 600, though Hometap has been documented as accepting scores down to 585.
One advantage worth noting: because HEIs aren't loans, Hometap doesn't impose DTI or income requirements. That makes them workable for retirees, self-employed homeowners, or anyone whose income would disqualify them from a HELOC.
Best for: Homeowners needing a larger one-time payout and who can plan around the 10-year buyout window.
Pros: Highest single-deal ceiling at $600K. Slightly lower fee (4.5%) than Splitero. No DTI or income requirements. Strong track record (founded 2017).
Watch-outs: 10-year term is meaningfully shorter than Splitero or Unison — you'll need to refinance, sell, or buy out by year 10. Like all HEIs, fast home appreciation in the early years can make the buyout costly.
Unison: Lowest Fee, Flexible Credit Standards
Unison's Equity Sharing Agreement (ESA) caps cash at 15% of your home's value, capped at $500,000 — lower than both Splitero and Hometap on a per-deal basis. The transaction fee is 3.9%, the lowest in this comparison. Appraisal generally runs $650–$1,050 and settlement costs $700–$1,750.
The ESA offers up to 30 years of payment-free flexibility, matching Splitero on term length. Credit minimum is 620, though Unison generally prefers scores above 680 for the best terms. Worth noting: Unison has faced class-action litigation in 2026 related to its equity-sharing practices — prospective customers should review recent court filings before committing.
Best for: Homeowners with 620+ FICO who want the lowest upfront fee structure and don't need the maximum cash payout.
Pros: Lowest transaction fee in the category at 3.9%. Up to 30-year term. Established company (founded 2004) with the longest HEI track record.
Watch-outs: Lower cash-out ratio (15% of home value) versus Splitero and Hometap's 25%. Recent class-action litigation worth reviewing. Credit minimum (620) is higher than Splitero (500) or Hometap (~585).
Model the long-term cost of an HEI
The HEI Tradeoff: Cash Now for Future Appreciation
All three providers operate on the same model: you receive cash today, and at the end of the term (or earlier, if you sell or refinance), you repay the original amount plus an agreed percentage of your home's appreciation. Critically, if your home loses value, you typically still owe the original amount — appreciation sharing is one-directional in most contracts. Read your specific agreement for downside-protection language.
The key cost driver is how much your home appreciates during the term. On a fast-appreciating home, the effective "APR" of an HEI can run 15–25%+. On a stagnant or slow-appreciating home, the effective cost can be much lower than a HELOC. Use a long-term appreciation model before deciding.
Methodology
We weighted each HEI on five factors:
- Term length and exit flexibility (25%) — longer terms reduce the risk of being forced to refinance into a bad rate environment.
- Cost stack: origination + closing fees (25%) — total upfront cost as percentage of payout.
- Funding ceiling and percentage of home value (20%) — how much can you actually access?
- Credit and income requirements (15%) — who qualifies?
- Company stability and regulatory track record (15%) — how confident are we in the company's long-term operations?
All funding limits, fees, terms, and credit floors are verified against each provider's published pricing pages as of May 30, 2026.
Which Should You Pick?
- If you want maximum term flexibility (don't want to refinance in 10 years) → Splitero or Unison (both up to 30 years).
- If you need more than $500K → Hometap (up to $600K is the only path).
- If your credit score is below 600 → Splitero (accepts 500+).
- If you want the lowest upfront fee → Unison (3.9% transaction fee).
- If you have a strong income and good credit, also compare a HELOC — an HEI is most compelling when monthly payments aren't workable or income won't qualify.
What to Do Next
- Compare against HELOCs and cash-out refis via our Mortgages & Home Equity hub.
- Model the long-term cost of giving up appreciation with our Compound Interest Calculator.
- If your goal is debt consolidation, check our Debt Payoff Calculator first — an HEI on top of a fast payoff plan may not be necessary.
FAQ
Is Splitero better than Hometap?
For term flexibility, yes — Splitero offers up to 30 years versus Hometap's 10-year standard. For maximum single payouts, Hometap wins ($600K versus Splitero's $500K). Both are well-established. Pick based on whether you prioritize term length or payout size.
Do HEIs require monthly payments?
No — that's the core appeal. You receive a lump sum and repay (with a share of appreciation) only when you sell, refinance, or hit the end of the term. This is structurally different from a HELOC, which has interest accruing monthly.
What credit score do I need for an HEI?
Splitero accepts scores as low as 500. Hometap typically requires around 600 (likes 585+). Unison requires 620+. None impose DTI or income requirements like a HELOC would.
How much of my home's value can I access?
Splitero and Hometap both go up to 25% of your home's value. Unison's ESA caps at 15%. The actual cash you receive also depends on your existing mortgage balance — HEIs sit behind your primary mortgage in lien priority.
What happens if my home loses value?
In most HEI contracts, you still owe the original amount you received — appreciation sharing is one-directional. Some providers offer downside protection clauses where the provider absorbs some loss, but these vary contract-to-contract. Always read the specific terms before signing.
Updated May 30, 2026 | Verified by the WalletGrower Editorial Team
Disclosure: Splitero is a Fiat Growth portfolio company. WalletGrower may earn a commission when you sign up for products through our links. Our recommendations are based on independent research and the verified pricing of each vendor. HEI terms vary by state and individual property — confirm exact pricing and eligibility with each provider before committing.