# Frequently Asked Questions

## How does Unison secure its interest in the property?

We place a lien on your property. If you currently have a mortgage, our lien will be in second position.. The document we use for this lien is very similar to what a mortgage lender would use to secure its investment in your home. We also record what’s called a Memorandum of Agreement which gives public notice of our interest in the property.

## What is an Equity Sharing Agreement?

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

## How much funding is available?

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

## How long is the term and what happens at the end?

[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?

[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?

[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?

[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?

[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?

[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?

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

## What is the Owner Occupancy Requirement?

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

## What kind of properties are eligible?

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

## Am I allowed to rent my property in the future?

[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?

[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?

[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?

[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?

[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?

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

## How does Unison store and protect my information?

[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?

[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?

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

## Will Unison share in the value of my home improvements?

[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?

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

## What happens if there is a foreclosure?

[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?

[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?

[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?

[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?

[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?

[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?

[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?

[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?

[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?

[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?

[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?

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

## What is a Deferred Maintenance Adjustment?

[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?

[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?

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

## What is Unison’s business model?

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

## How do I know if I can trust Unison?

[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?

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