If you want to tap into your home’s equity but are having trouble getting approved for a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC). Or maybe you’re seeking a way to cash in on your equity but you do not want to add your existing debt load. Either way, the Shared Equity Product by Unlock is worth considering. It’s a personalized solution that gets you the cash you need fast without jumping through hoops or being stuck with steep monthly payments.
About Unlock
Unlock is a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited platform that offers innovative funding solutions to homeowners. You can convert your home’s equity to cash by selling a percentage of your home’s future value to Unlock today.
You won’t ever make monthly payments or pay fees and interest. Even better, the initial investment made in your home isn’t payable to Unlock until you sell your home or buy out your contract.
At the moment of writing, they offer investments in properties located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Washington state. However, they are adding more states, so it is best to check if you are eligible by entering your address in the online form here.
How Does Unlock Shared Home Equity Work?
Below, you’ll find a step-by-step process that details how Unlock’s shared home equity program works:
- Step 1: Get an estimate of your potential cash offer from Unlock by entering your address, the value of your home, and any debt attached to the property into the online tool.
- Step 2: Submit a formal application and authorize a soft credit check.
- Step 3: Review the investment offer and select the amount of equity you want to sell to Unlock.
- Step 4: Sign your closing documents and get funds deposited into your bank account.
- Step 5: Enjoy your cash for the ten-year contract term. You can buy out the agreement or sell your home once six or more months have passed.
Should You Use Unlock to Access Home Equity?
There are many reasons why Unlock may be a viable option to access home equity. For starters, if you were denied home equity loans and HELOCs due to past credit issues, you could get approved with Unlock. The minimum required FICO score is 500, and Unlock performs a soft credit check when you apply. So, there won’t be an impact on your credit score.
Unlock is also worth considering if you’re self-employed, have high levels of debt, or irregular income that would make it challenging to qualify for a traditional home equity product. There’s no maximum debt-to-income (DTI) requirement, and Unlock won’t verify your income unless your transaction is deemed risky or you’re seeking property for a rental property.
Most transactions process within 30 days and funds disburse shortly after that. Homeowners also enjoy zero payments during the ten-year contract period.
Unlock Shared Home Equity vs. Home Equity Loans and HELOCs
Unlock’s shared home equity program isn’t a loan. Instead, you get cash today in exchange for a portion of your home’s future value, and there are no monthly payments like you’d have with home equity loan products.
By contrast, home equity loans allow you to borrow up to 80 percent of your home’s equity. The funds you borrow are payable over a five to 30-year period in equal monthly installments for principal and interest, and your property is used as collateral to secure the loan. If you default, the lender can foreclose and sell the property to recoup their losses.
The Unlock Agreement
How Much Home Equity You Can Unlock
Unlock provides investments from $30,000 to $500,000. Your home’s current value, existing mortgage debt, and creditworthiness determines how much you qualify for. Unlock will also consider how you use the property when calculating an offer.
Terms
Most shared equity agreements come with a ten-year term. You can choose to end the contract early by buying it out or selling your home. But when the contract ends, you must buy out Unlock or sell your home.
Costs and Fees
Unlock charges an origination fee equal to 3 percent of the investment at closing. No other fees apply during the ten-year contract term.
What You Can Use the Cash for
There are no restrictions on how you can use the funds. However, many homeowners use the cash to pay for financial emergencies, eliminate high-interest debts, cover the costs associated with divorce proceedings, build their retirement fund, complete home improvements and diversify their rental holdings.
How to Qualify for Unlock Home Equity Program
Here’s how to qualify for the Unlock Home Equity Program:
Homeowner Requirements
Unlock requires all homeowners to have a FICO score of at least 500 and 20 percent equity in their home to qualify for funding. You don’t need a set amount of income to be eligible, but Unlock may verify your earnings if you seek funding for a rental property or if your transaction is labeled as high risk.
Here are the additional qualification criteria:
- Own a single-family home, condominium, townhome, or two to four-unit property (both owner and non-owner occupied residential real estate properties are eligible)
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien with a Green Card
- Have a valid Social Security number
- Have no more than one 90-day mortgage delinquency in the past two years
- Have no pending litigation or judgments related to the property
There’s no income requirement to use the program, unlike what you’ll find with other home equity products. However, Unlock may require income verification for risky transactions. If you plan to use the program for a rental property, Unlock will likely verify the rental income.
Property Requirements
You may be eligible to participate in the program if you own residential real estate property. These include single-family homes, condominiums, townhomes, and two to four-unit properties. (Note: Non-owner-occupied properties are also permitted).
How to Get Started with Unlock Shared Home Equity Agreement
To move forward with Unlock, start by gathering the following documents:
- A copy of your government-issued identification
- Mortgage statement(s)
- Homeowners insurance declaration page(s)
- Lease agreement or proof of rental income (if applicable)
- Trust documents (if applicable)
The next step is to check your eligibility by answering some questions on this form. It only takes five to ten minutes of your time, and Unlock will promptly review your application and documents. If an offer is available, the Unlock team will order an appraisal and inspection of your home and send you a finalized Investment Closing Statement with the terms and conditions of the shared home equity agreement. The final step is to sign on the dotted line and receive your funds.
Get the cash you deserve by exploring what Unlock has to offer. You can unlock debt-free equity of up to $500,000 and get back on track.
