How Unison works out what you owe
- How you repay: the investment back, plus 4× your share of the change in value above a starting value set 5% below today's value.
- Fee: 3.9% of the investment, taken from the cash you receive, plus third-party closing costs (we use $1,500).
- Cost cap: none published.
- Term: settle within 30 years.
- Limits: up to $500,000; at most 15% of your home's value; mortgage plus investment under 80% of home value (our assumption; not published).
Worked example. $750,000 home, $300,000 mortgage, $100,000 investment, 4% yearly growth, settled after 7 years: you'd receive $94,600 after fees and repay $246,373, a total cost of $151,773, or 14.7% a year.
Things to know about these terms
- The 4× multiplier and 5% starting-value reduction come from Unison's materials and a Finder review.
- Unison publishes no cost cap, so none is applied, and no leverage limit, so we assume your mortgage plus the investment must stay under 80% of your home's value.
Sources for every term: Unison on our provider terms page. Real offers are set after underwriting and can differ; always check your written offer.
What Unison costs as home prices change
Same example, settled after 7 years. Unlike a loan, an HEI costs more the faster your home grows.
| Home growth | You repay | Total cost | Effective annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| -2% a year | $67,250 | -$27,350 | -4.8% |
| 0% a year | $120,000 | $25,400 | 3.5% |
| 2% a year | $179,474 | $84,874 | 9.6% |
| 4% a year | $246,373 | $151,773 | 14.7% |
| 6% a year | $321,452 | $226,852 | 19.1% |
| 8% a year | $405,530 | $310,930 | 23.1% |
Unison vs the other providers
In the standard example ($750,000 home, $100,000 investment, 4% growth, 7 years), Unison ranks 4 of 6 by effective annual cost.
| Provider | Effective annual cost | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|
| CHEIFS | 13.7% | Unison vs CHEIFS |
| Hometap | 14.1% | Unison vs Hometap |
| Point | 14.3% | Unison vs Point |
| Unison | 14.7% | This calculator |
| Unlock | 15.9% | Unison vs Unlock |
| Splitero | 15.9% | Unison vs Splitero |
Read the full Unison review on HEI Compare, check whether you meet Unison's requirements on HEI Offers, or compare all six providers on your numbers.
Frequently asked questions
How much will I owe Unison?
It depends on your home's value when you settle. In our example ($750,000 home, $300,000 mortgage, $100,000 investment, 4% yearly growth, settled after 7 years), you'd repay $246,373 for $94,600 received. Enter your own numbers above to see yours.
Does Unison cap what I owe?
Unison doesn't publish a cost cap, so what you repay rises with your home's value without a ceiling. That makes it the most exposed to fast growth.
When do I have to settle with Unison?
Within 30 years of funding, or sooner if you sell or refinance. If you plan to stay longer than 30 years, Unison isn't an option for that plan.
Is this calculator from Unison?
No. HEI Calculator is independent. We apply Unison's published terms, last verified September 23, 2026, to your numbers. Your actual offer is set by Unison after underwriting.