# Frequently Asked Questions

## What is Unison’s business model?

Unison has pioneered a smarter, better way to own your home with the equity sharing agreement. Until now, the main way to access your equity was to add on more debt. We provide homeowners an alternative by converting a portion of their existing home equity to cash without monthly payments. By sharing in the gains only if the home goes up in value, we strive to align with the interests of our homeowners and win together.

## [What is an Equity Sharing Agreement?](/content/faqs/question/esa-overview/index.html)

## [How much funding is available?](/content/faqs/question/esa-funding-amount/index.html)

## [How long is the term and what happens at the end?](/content/faqs/question/esa-agreement-end/index.html)

## [If I partner with Unison, who owns the home?](/content/faqs/question/esa-home-ownership/index.html)

## [What percentage of the future change in the home’s value will Unison share?](/content/faqs/question/esa-sharing-percentage/index.html)

## [How does Unison secure its interest in the property?](/content/faqs/question/esa-lien/index.html)

## [Does Unison benefit from the equity that is built as I pay down my mortgage?](/content/faqs/question/esa-mortgage-paydown/index.html)

## [What is the Risk Adjustment and how does Unison determine my home’s starting value?](/content/faqs/question/esa-risk-adjustment/index.html)

## [In which states are Equity Sharing Agreements available?](/content/faqs/question/esa-available-states/index.html)

## [What is the Owner Occupancy Requirement?](/content/faqs/question/esa-occupancy/index.html)

## [What kind of properties are eligible?](/content/faqs/question/esa-property-types/index.html)

## [Am I allowed to rent my property in the future?](/content/faqs/question/esa-renting/index.html)

## [What is the "restriction period"? Can I sell my home at any time?](/content/faqs/question/esa-restriction-period/index.html)

## [What does Unison need to know in order to determine whether they will invest in my home?](/content/faqs/question/esa-requirements/index.html)

## [Why does Unison require a home appraisal and is it accurate?](/content/faqs/question/esa-appraisal/index.html)

## [What do I need in order to qualify for a Unison equity sharing agreement?](/content/faqs/question/esa-qualification/index.html)

## [What are the costs associated with Unison?](/content/faqs/question/esa-costs/index.html)

## [How does Unison store and protect my information?](/content/faqs/question/esa-data-security/index.html)

## [Do you have to check my credit? When does that happen?](/content/faqs/question/esa-credit-check/index.html)

## [How does Unison assess my property?](/content/faqs/question/esa-property-assessment/index.html)

## [Will Unison share in the value of my home improvements?](/content/faqs/question/esa-home-improvements/index.html)

## [What happens if I get behind on home maintenance?](/content/faqs/question/esa-maintenance/index.html)

## [What happens if there is a foreclosure?](/content/faqs/question/esa-foreclosure/index.html)

## [What happens if I can't make my mortgage payments and default?](/content/faqs/question/esa-default/index.html)

## [How does Unison affect my taxes?](/content/faqs/question/esa-taxes/index.html)

## [If I choose a Unison equity sharing agreement, can I still refinance in the future?](/content/faqs/question/esa-refinancing/index.html)

## [What if something happens to me during my agreement?](/content/faqs/question/esa-death/index.html)

## [In what situations would Unison not be the right option?](/content/faqs/question/esa-right-fit/index.html)

## [How is Unison's profit or loss calculated upon sale?](/content/faqs/question/esa-profit-calculation/index.html)

## [Can I buy out Unison's investment in my home?](/content/faqs/question/esa-buyout/index.html)

## [What happens when I decide to sell my home?](/content/faqs/question/esa-selling/index.html)

## [Who decides when our partnership ends? Can you force me to sell my house?](/content/faqs/question/esa-partnership-end/index.html)

## [Is it possible I could end up owing Unison back less money at the end than I received at the beginning?](/content/faqs/question/esa-owing-less/index.html)

## [Does Unison share in selling costs?](/content/faqs/question/esa-selling-costs/index.html)

## [What is a Deferred Maintenance Adjustment?](/content/faqs/question/esa-deferred-maintenance/index.html)

## [What is the Equity Appreciation Limit and how does that affect my payment to Unison during the Restriction Period?](/content/faqs/question/esa-appreciation-limit/index.html)

## [Who is Unison?](/content/faqs/question/esa-about-unison/index.html)

## [How do I know if I can trust Unison?](/content/faqs/question/esa-trust/index.html)

## [Where does Unison’s funding come from? Who are your investors?](/content/faqs/question/esa-funding-source/index.html)