Unison Review: Equity Sharing With Downside Protection (2026)

Is Unison legit?

Yes. Unison was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in San Francisco, with a second office in Omaha, Nebraska. It’s one of the oldest and largest equity sharing companies — more than 17,000 homeowners served and $8.8 billion in total home value invested in — and has been named to the Forbes Fintech 50. Unison is registered with the NMLS (#2574289) and holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

One thing to know: Unison is facing consumer lawsuits as of 2026. In February 2026, the National Association of Consumer Advocates — with the AARP Foundation — sued Unison in Washington, DC, alleging its “no-debt” marketing disguises what is in substance an unlicensed mortgage loan, and class actions making similar claims have been filed in California and Colorado. Unison continues to operate and the cases are pending — review the current status before applying.

Unison pros and cons

What makes Unison shine?

• True loss sharing. Unison shares in your home’s change in value in both directions — if your home is worth less when you settle, Unison absorbs a proportional share of the decline, and in a significant drop your ending payment can even be $0 beyond the original amount. Most competitors only soften what you owe; Unison’s model is explicitly “we win and lose together.”
• Low risk adjustment. Unison reduces your home’s appraised value by just 5% to set the Original Agreed Value that its share is measured from. Many competitors discount your starting value far more aggressively, which inflates their share of “appreciation” from day one.
• Up to 30 years to settle. Unison’s term is among the longest in the market, giving you far more flexibility on when to sell, refinance or buy out the agreement than 10-year providers.
• Remodeling adjustment. Value you add through documented improvements (licensed contractor plus independent appraisal) is excluded from Unison’s share — though the adjustment doesn’t apply if you end the agreement in the first three years.
• Longevity. Founded in 2006, Unison is the most established name in equity sharing, with institutional backing and a large securitized portfolio.

Where Unison falls short

• Stricter qualification than rivals. Unison requires a mid-FICO of at least 620 and verifies your income — competitors like Unlock and Point accept scores as low as 500 with no income requirements.
• A 4x share multiple. Unison’s share of your home’s future change in value is typically four times the percentage it invests — invest 10% of your home’s value and Unison takes 40% of the future change in value. If your home appreciates strongly, that adds up fast.
• 15% investment cap. Unison invests up to 15% of your home’s current value (max $500,000), less than some competitors offer.
• 5-year restriction period. You can sell anytime, but during the first five years Unison won’t share in value declines, and the remodeling adjustment only kicks in after year three. Early exits also face an Equity Appreciation Limit — check your contract’s terms.
• Pending lawsuits. The DC, California and Colorado suits filed in 2026 allege deceptive marketing and evasion of mortgage laws. Unison disputes the claims, but the regulatory landscape for equity sharing is shifting quickly.

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Unison investment details

How does Unison’s pricing work?

Unlike providers that take a share of your home’s total future value, Unison uses a “share of change in value” model measured against a slightly discounted starting point:

• You receive a lump sum of up to 15% of your home’s current value
• Your starting value is set by reducing the appraised value by 5% — the Original Agreed Value
• Unison receives its original investment back plus a share of the change in value from that starting point — typically 4x the percentage invested (invest 10%, share 40% of the change)
• If your home loses value, Unison shares the loss on a sale — but not during the first five years or on a buyout without a sale

Because the share applies only to the change in value, a flat market keeps Unison’s take close to the original investment — but in a strongly appreciating market, the 4x multiple means Unison’s share grows quickly. Model both scenarios before signing.

Unison’s Equity Sharing Home Loan

Alongside its flagship agreement, Unison offers an Equity Sharing Home Loan — a 10-year, interest-only second mortgage at a below-market rate. You pay a reduced monthly interest payment (with roughly a quarter of the interest deferred to the end), and at payoff you owe the principal, the deferred interest and typically 1.5x the percentage borrowed as a share of appreciation. It’s a hybrid for homeowners who can handle a small payment and want to give up less future value than a full equity sharing agreement demands.

Unison contact info

Costs and fees

Unison doesn’t charge interest or monthly payments on its equity sharing agreement, but you’ll pay costs at both ends:

• Transaction fee. 3.9% of the investment amount, paid at closing.
• Appraisal fee. $450–$1,250, depending on your property.
• Home inspection. $650–$1,050 — Unison requires one, unlike most competitors.
• Settlement costs. $700–$1,750 for title, state taxes and recording. Unison covers credit report costs.
• Unison’s share at settlement. The main cost: your original investment amount plus typically 4x the invested percentage applied to your home’s change in value from the Original Agreed Value. A Deferred Maintenance Adjustment can increase what you owe if the home isn’t kept up.

How do you qualify for a Unison agreement?

Unison underwrites more like a traditional lender than most HEA companies. Here’s what you’ll generally need:

• Mid-FICO credit score of at least 620
• Verifiable income — allowable LTV and DTI tighten as your score drops
• Combined loan-to-value of 70% or less with excellent credit
• An owner-occupied single-family home, townhouse or condo (second homes and rentals considered case by case)
• You live in the home at least 180 days a year and are never away 60 consecutive days
• Property not held in certain trusts or LLCs
• Located in one of the 23 jurisdictions where Unison operates

Required documentation

• Government-issued ID
• Most recent mortgage statement
• Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns or similar)
• Homeowners insurance policy documentation
• Property deed (to confirm ownership and trust/LLC status)
• HOA information, if applicable

How to apply for a Unison agreement

1. Get an estimate. Enter your address at unison.com for a free estimate in minutes, with no impact on your credit score.
2. Complete the application. The online application takes about five minutes, followed by income and credit verification.
3. Get your home appraised and inspected. Unison orders an independent appraisal (and requires a home inspection) to set your Original Agreed Value.
4. Review and sign your final offer. Unison presents the investment amount, share percentage and fee breakdown before a notarized closing.
5. Receive your funds. Funds arrive after closing — typically within two to three weeks of application per third-party reviews, though Unison doesn’t publish a timeline.

Unison reviews and complaints

Unison customer reviews

Unison holds a 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot from roughly 260 reviews, with 72% five-star ratings, and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, where it responds to complaints consistently. Positive reviews highlight helpful, knowledgeable staff, responsive communication, a transparent application process and reliable funding.

Negative reviews cluster around process delays versus initial expectations, communication gaps during underwriting, appraisal disagreements, declined applications and friction at payoff or exit. The bigger cloud is legal: the February 2026 DC lawsuit brought with the AARP Foundation and class actions in California and Colorado allege the product is a deceptively marketed mortgage — one Colorado case cites homeowners who received about $87,000 after fees and faced an estimated payoff of up to $278,618 six years later. Unison disputes the claims and the cases are pending.