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Home Equity

Home equity agreement (HEA).

A Home Equity Agreement is a contract with a third-party investor. You receive cash today in exchange for a share of your home's future value or future appreciation. Like a Home Equity Investment, it is not a loan and typically carries no monthly payment.

How an HEA is structured

The investor takes a defined share of the home, often expressed as a percentage of value or a percentage of appreciation. When the agreement ends through a sale, refinance, or buyout, you pay back the original advance plus the agreed share.

Common reasons people consider one

HEAs appeal to homeowners with significant equity but limited income for traditional loan qualification, or to homeowners who specifically want to avoid adding a monthly payment.

Important trade-offs

Effective cost depends entirely on what your home does over the term. In strong markets, the investor's share can become expensive relative to a traditional loan. Terms, fees, buyout formulas, and exit conditions vary by company. Read carefully.

Mortgage Today is an educational brand and does not originate, broker, or fund loans of any kind, including Home Equity Agreements. Inquiries are forwarded to a licensed loan officer in our network. The information above is provided for education only. For a side-by-side comparison against a HELOC, home equity loan, or cash-out refinance, book a call below.

Frequently asked questions

Is a home equity agreement the same as an HEI?
Yes, different brand names for the same idea. You get cash today in exchange for a share of the home's future value, with no monthly payment.
What does it cost compared to a HELOC?
If your home appreciates significantly, an agreement can cost more than a HELOC because you're sharing upside. If appreciation is flat, costs can look comparable. Always model both side by side.
What happens at the end of the term?
You typically settle by selling the home or refinancing/buying the investor out at the home's current appraised value times the agreed share.
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