Homeowner

American homeowners are sitting on a remarkable amount of wealth that most of them are not using. As of the August 2026 Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) Mortgage Monitor, U.S. mortgage holders held about $11.7 trillion in tappable home equity, roughly $212,000 per borrower on average. Yet much of that value stays locked in place, because the traditional ways to reach it, such as home equity lines of credit, cash-out refinances, and home equity loans, do not fit every situation. Unison offers another path: an Equity Sharing Agreement (ESA) that lets homeowners access a portion of their equity without taking on new monthly payments. It is one option among several, not the right fit for everyone, but for many homeowners it fills a real gap.

How Much Home Equity Are Americans Sitting On?

Home equity has quietly become one of the largest stores of household wealth in the country, and homeowners are using only a small share of it. "Tappable equity" is ICE Mortgage Monitor's term for the portion of home equity an owner could access while still keeping at least 20 percent equity in the home. It is not the same as total home equity, which the Mortgage Monitor tracks separately at a much larger figure that includes the equity owners are expected to retain. As of the August 2026 ICE Mortgage Monitor, that tappable pool stood at about $11.7 trillion held by roughly 47.5 million mortgage holders with accessible equity.

Even with that much value available, homeowners are converting only a small share of it into cash. In the first quarter of 2026, they withdrew about $47 billion in equity, according to the ICE Mortgage Monitor. That was the highest first-quarter total since 2021, yet still a small fraction of the roughly $11.7 trillion available.

A major reason so much stays put is rate lock-in: many homeowners secured very low first-mortgage rates in earlier years and are reluctant to disturb them by refinancing into today's higher rates. The result is a large group of homeowners who are rich in home equity but still juggling tight monthly budgets, holding wealth on paper that they cannot easily put to use.

How Unison Helps Homeowners Access Their Home Equity

Traditionally, reaching the value in your home has meant taking on debt. Unison approaches it differently, with an equity-based option built around flexibility rather than a one-size-fits-all product, so a homeowner can access a portion of their equity and settle up later instead of adding another monthly payment.

No New Monthly Payments Ever

With a Unison Equity Sharing Agreement, you receive cash upfront and make no new monthly payments and pay no interest on the agreement itself, for as long as you choose, up to 30 years. Accessing your equity this way does not add a new bill to your budget. If you have a mortgage, you keep it and its rate, and the agreement does not create a payment on top of it. How that is possible comes down to the structure of the agreement, which is explained in "How an Equity Sharing Agreement Works" below. You can also see how it works on Unison's site.

Access Equity With a Term That Fits Your Timeline

A Unison agreement is designed to flex around your plans. Homeowners can access up to 15 percent of their home's value, to a maximum of $500,000, and the agreement can run for up to 30 years. Both are ceilings rather than guarantees: the amount you can actually access and the terms you are offered depend on your home's value, your location, and underwriting.

Early and Partial Buyout Options

You are not locked into waiting out the full term. You can settle the agreement early, in part or in full, whenever it suits your circumstances, typically by selling your home. If you settle early through a buyout instead, known as a Special Termination, Unison does not share in any decline in your home's value. See the Equity Sharing Agreement guide or the FAQs for details.

Support From a Dedicated Team

An Equity Sharing Agreement is a significant decision. With Unison, you work with a real person, not just a self-service dashboard. A knowledgeable representative can walk you through your options, the terms, and how settlement works, before you decide and for as long as the agreement lasts. You can learn more about Unison and its team.

How an Equity Sharing Agreement Works

An Equity Sharing Agreement is not a loan. There is no interest, no new monthly payment, and no principal balance. Instead, Unison becomes a partner that shares in your home's future change in value.

Here is the structure. At the start, you and Unison agree on your home's value, and a 5 percent Risk Adjustment is applied to set what is called the Original Agreed Value. For example, on a home appraised at $500,000, the Original Agreed Value would be $475,000. From that point forward, every gain or loss is measured against the Original Agreed Value, not the original appraisal.

This is the heart of what makes Unison different: Unison shares only in the change in your home's value from the Original Agreed Value, not in the home's total value. If your home is worth more when the agreement ends, Unison shares in a portion of that increase. If it is worth less, Unison can share in a portion of that decrease, which reduces the amount you settle for.

Two features are designed to protect homeowners. The first is the Equity Appreciation Limit, which caps Unison's share of your home's early gains: for the first 12 months it limits Unison's share of your home's increase in value to 20 percent, then adjusts on a set monthly schedule after that. This works in your favor if your home's value climbs quickly early on. The second is the restriction period. Unison shares in a decline only after that period, which is typically three years (and up to five in less common cases, such as a non-owner-occupied property), and only if you sell your home rather than buy Unison out. There is no cap on the share of a decline Unison can absorb, and the amount you owe Unison is never less than $0, so Unison never pays you, but a meaningful drop in your home's value can substantially reduce what you owe when you settle.

*Figures above are for illustration purposes only. They are not based on a real agreement, and terms and conditions apply.

Who Qualifies for a Unison Equity Sharing Agreement

Qualifying for an Equity Sharing Agreement involves more than a home appraisal. Unison reviews your credit, verifies your income, and underwrites the agreement alongside an assessment of your home's value, so approval and terms depend on your full financial picture. Availability is also limited to participating states. Because underwriting is a real part of the process, approval isn't automatic, and Unison doesn't promise a specific amount up front.

Deciding if an Equity Sharing Agreement Fits Your Goals

An Equity Sharing Agreement is one of several ways to access home equity, not a universal fit. It tends to suit homeowners who want to access equity without taking on a new monthly payment, who are comfortable sharing in their home's future change in value in exchange for that flexibility, and who want the option to settle anytime for up to 30 years. It may not be a fit for homeowners who expect to move very soon, who would prefer not to share in future changes in value, or who want the lowest possible long-term cost regardless of monthly payments.

The right choice depends on your timeline, your budget, and how you weigh those trade-offs. Before deciding, review your own numbers, read the full program terms, and consider speaking with a financial advisor about what makes sense for your situation.

About Unison

Unison is a legitimate home equity company based in San Francisco. Through a product called an Equity Sharing Agreement, it gives homeowners cash today in exchange for a share of their home's future change in value, with no monthly payments and no interest. An Equity Sharing Agreement is offered through Unison Agreement Corporation and is not a loan.

Disclaimer: This sponsored content is for informational purposes only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Unison's Equity Sharing Agreement (ESA), offered through Unison Agreement Corp., provides cash upfront with no monthly payments or interest charges. In exchange, you share a percentage of your home's future appreciation (or a limited portion of any depreciation) when the agreement ends (upon sale, refinance, buyout after 5 years, 30-year term, or death/default). If your home depreciates, Unison typically shares in a portion of the loss, subject to program limits—you may still owe the full advance amount. A lien is placed on your property, which may limit future refinancing options. There may be tax implications (e.g., potential recognition of income on forgiveness of advance if the home depreciates). No guarantees are made regarding home value changes or outcomes. For complete terms, eligibility, and details, visit unison.com. Always consult your own financial, legal, and tax professionals before proceeding. Unless otherwise indicated, the information contained in this article is current as of August 26, 2026.