# Frequently Asked Questions

## About Unison  
[**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)  
[**What is an Equity Sharing Agreement?** 
what is, how it works, equity sharing, overview, home equity, no payments](/content/faqs/question/esa-overview/index.html)  
[**How much funding is available?** 
how much, funding, available, invest, investment, money, amount, maximum, minimum, home equity, access, unlock](/content/faqs/question/esa-funding-amount/index.html)  
[**How long is the term and what happens at the end?** 
term length, how long, duration, 30 years, when does it end, expiration](/content/faqs/question/esa-agreement-end/index.html)  
[**If I partner with Unison, who owns the home?** 
who owns, ownership, title, co-owner, does Unison own my house, deed](/content/faqs/question/esa-home-ownership/index.html)  
[**What percentage of the future change in the home’s value will Unison share?** 
what percentage, how much does Unison get, equity split, Unison share, appreciation split](/content/faqs/question/esa-sharing-percentage/index.html)  
[**How does Unison secure its interest in the property?** 
lien, title, second lien, property record, how Unison secures investment](/content/faqs/question/esa-lien/index.html)  
[**Does Unison benefit from the equity that is built as I pay down my mortgage?** 
mortgage payments, paying down principal, equity buildup, monthly payments, do I keep equity](/content/faqs/question/esa-mortgage-paydown/index.html)  
[**What is the Risk Adjustment and how does Unison determine my home’s starting value?** 
risk adjustment, starting value, 5%, home value discount, original value, how calculated](/content/faqs/question/esa-risk-adjustment/index.html)  
[**In which states are Equity Sharing Agreements available?** 
states, my state, where available, locations, eligible states](/content/faqs/question/esa-available-states/index.html)  
[**What is the Owner Occupancy Requirement?** 
owner occupancy, must I live there, primary residence, travel, vacation home](/content/faqs/question/esa-occupancy/index.html)  
[**What kind of properties are eligible?** 
property types, condo, single family, townhouse, second home, eligible](/content/faqs/question/esa-property-types/index.html)  
[**Am I allowed to rent my property in the future?** 
renting, can I rent, landlord, tenants, rental income, Airbnb, investment property](/content/faqs/question/esa-renting/index.html)  
[**What is the "restriction period"? Can I sell my home at any time?** 
restriction period, early sale, sell early, limitations, five years, early exit](/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?** 
requirements, what do I need, eligibility, credit, income, qualification](/content/faqs/question/esa-requirements/index.html)  
[**Why does Unison require a home appraisal and is it accurate?** 
appraisal, home valuation, appraisal process, home worth, how is value determined](/content/faqs/question/esa-appraisal/index.html)  
[**What do I need in order to qualify for a Unison equity sharing agreement?** 
qualify, eligibility, credit score, LTV, DTI, how to qualify, apply](/content/faqs/question/esa-qualification/index.html)  
[**What are the costs associated with Unison?** 
costs, fees, how much does it cost, upfront costs, closing costs, transaction fee](/content/faqs/question/esa-costs/index.html)  
[**How does Unison store and protect my information?** 
privacy, data security, personal information, protect my data, confidential](/content/faqs/question/esa-data-security/index.html)  
[**Do you have to check my credit? When does that happen?** 
credit check, will this hurt my credit, hard pull, soft pull, credit score impact](/content/faqs/question/esa-credit-check/index.html)  
[**How does Unison assess my property?** 
property assessment, how does Unison value my home, inspection, appraisal](/content/faqs/question/esa-property-assessment/index.html)  
[**Will Unison share in the value of my home improvements?** 
renovations, remodel, upgrades, home improvements, added value](/content/faqs/question/esa-home-improvements/index.html)  
[**What happens if I get behind on home maintenance?** 
maintenance, neglect, upkeep, repairs, not maintaining, behind on maintenance](/content/faqs/question/esa-maintenance/index.html)  
[**What happens if there is a foreclosure?** 
foreclosure, losing home, bank foreclosure, lender, help, hardship](/content/faqs/question/esa-foreclosure/index.html)  
[**What happens if I can't make my mortgage payments and default?** 
default, missed payments, behind on mortgage, financial hardship, late payments](/content/faqs/question/esa-default/index.html)  
[**How does Unison affect my taxes?** 
taxes, tax implications, taxable income, tax deduction, IRS](/content/faqs/question/esa-taxes/index.html)  
[**If I choose a Unison equity sharing agreement, can I still refinance in the future?** 
refinancing, can I refinance, new mortgage, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, restrictions](/content/faqs/question/esa-refinancing/index.html)  
[**What if something happens to me during my agreement?** 
death, what happens if I die, heirs, estate, inheritance, pass away](/content/faqs/question/esa-death/index.html)  
[**In what situations would Unison not be the right option?** 
not right for me, disqualify, reverse mortgage, short-term, moving soon, when to avoid](/content/faqs/question/esa-right-fit/index.html)  
[**How is Unison's profit or loss calculated upon sale?** 
how is payment calculated, how much do I owe, settlement, sale calculation, payoff amount](/content/faqs/question/esa-profit-calculation/index.html)  
[**Can I buy out Unison's investment in my home?** 
buy out Unison, early payoff, exit agreement, pay off, refinance out, end early](/content/faqs/question/esa-buyout/index.html)  
[**What happens when I decide to sell my home?** 
selling, sell my home, selling process, how to sell, notify, settlement](/content/faqs/question/esa-selling/index.html)  
[**Who decides when our partnership ends? Can you force me to sell my house?** 
forced sale, can Unison make me sell, who decides, term end, sole owner](/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?** 
home value drops, depreciation, declining market, lose value, owe less](/content/faqs/question/esa-owing-less/index.html)  
[**Does Unison share in selling costs?** 
selling costs, closing costs, agent fees, commission, who pays fees](/content/faqs/question/esa-selling-costs/index.html)  
[**What is a Deferred Maintenance Adjustment?** 
deferred maintenance, maintenance adjustment, property upkeep, neglect, repairs required](/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?** 
appreciation limit, cap, maximum payout, restriction period, early exit cost](/content/faqs/question/esa-appreciation-limit/index.html)  
[**Who is Unison?** 
about, company background, who is Unison, history, founded](/content/faqs/question/esa-about-unison/index.html)  
[**What is Unison’s business model?** 
how does Unison make money, profit, business model, no debt, equity sharing](/content/faqs/question/esa-business-model/index.html)  
[**How do I know if I can trust Unison?** 
trust, is Unison legit, reviews, BBB, Better Business Bureau, reputation](/content/faqs/question/esa-trust/index.html)  
[**Where does Unison’s funding come from? Who are your investors?** 
investors, where does money come from, funding, institutional investors](/content/faqs/question/esa-funding-source/index.html)