In what situations would Unison not be the right option?

A Unison equity sharing agreement is a unique home financing product that presents a great solution for some people, but it is not the right fit for everyone. First and foremost, Unison is designed for long-term use—a Unison agreement is not right for you unless you plan to stay in your home for at least five years. Many of the agreement’s best features, including Unison’s commitment to share in any loss of home value alongside you, only kick in after five years. For more information, please see the FAQ entry on the Unison “Restriction Period.”

Unison equity sharing agreements are typically for homeowners who live in the home. Additionally, though a Unison agreement is not a loan, it is also not compatible with certain kinds of loans. Reverse mortgages, interest-only loans, shared appreciation loans, or any loan with a negative amortization feature won’t work alongside Unison.

How the title to your home is held can also affect your eligibility. Typically, Unison can only offer equity sharing agreements to homeowners who hold their homes as individuals and joint tenants, not tenants-in-common or other forms of holding.

Finally, Unison customers may experience constraints when attempting to refinance their mortgage once they have entered an equity sharing agreement with Unison. We recommend that customers who are interested in refinancing their home loan do so before choosing to work with Unison—please see the FAQ entry on refinancing for more information.

Bottom line: Unison is unique, and so are you. If you're interested in learning whether you and your home qualify, please feel free to apply.