# Frequently Asked Questions

## Do you have to check my credit? When does that happen?

Yes. However, this does not impact your credit score. As part of our qualification process, we use what's known as a "soft" credit pull to access your credit report. It does not affect your credit score. This usually happens when you submit the application. If you don’t qualify for a Unison equity sharing agreement you will receive an “adverse action” letter from us explaining that decision, and that letter may reference information found in your credit report. However, this never means that we have used a “hard” credit pull, and your credit will not be affected.

Also, over the lifetime of our agreement, we will use soft credit pulls to ensure that you are continuing to meet the terms of our agreement. Again, this will not affect your credit score.

## [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)

## [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)

## [What is Unison’s business model?](/content/faqs/question/esa-business-model/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)