How it Works

The smart way to access
home equity.

An Unlock HEA gives you cash in exchange for a portion of your home’s future value.
Unlock’s home equity agreement (HEA) has a simple approval process.
An Unlock HEA is not a loan. There’s no interest rate uncertainty and no monthly payments.
It’s available to property owners of all ages—unlike reverse mortgages.
You don’t need perfect credit to qualify.

With an Unlock HEA, you receive cash up front in exchange for a portion of your home’s future value.

Easy. Fair. Transparent.

01
01

Get your estimate.

See how much equity you can unlock in less than a minute. No credit score impact. No strings attached.
02
02

Apply.

A dedicated home equity consultant (HEC) will guide you through the process after you apply online.
03
03

Receive an offer.

After reviewing an independent third-party appraisal and title report, an offer will be prepared for you.
04
04

Get funded.

After signing the closing documents, you should receive a secure wire transfer within a few days.

The Unlock Difference

Home Equity Loan
HELOC
Cash-Out Refinance
Reverse Mortgage
MinimumCredit Score
500
700
680
580
None
Debt-to-Income
N/A
43%
43%
50%
N/A
Loan-to-Value
80%
90%
85%
80%
60%
Fine Print
Must maintain property, pay taxes, home insurance and first lien mortgage (if applicable)
Monthly payments can fluctuate, home value could put owner under water
Penalties for inactivity, required balance
30 to 60 days to close, interest rates higher
Must pay taxes, insurance and live in the home. Age restrictions
MinimumCredit Score 500
Debt-to-Income N/A
Loan-to-Value 80%
Fine Print Must maintain property, pay taxes, home insurance and first lien mortgage (if applicable)
Home Equity Loan
MinimumCredit Score 700
Debt-to-Income 43%
Loan-to-Value 90%
Fine Print Monthly payments can fluctuate, home value could put owner under water
HELOC
MinimumCredit Score 680
Debt-to-Income 43%
Loan-to-Value 85%
Fine Print Penalties for inactivity, required balance
Cash-Out Refinance
MinimumCredit Score 580
Debt-to-Income 50%
Loan-to-Value 80%
Fine Print 30 to 60 days to close, interest rates higher
Reverse Mortgage
MinimumCredit Score None
Debt-to-Income N/A
Loan-to-Value 60%
Fine Print Must pay taxes, insurance and live in the home. Age restrictions
Chart for informational purposes only. Information sourced from Unlock, Bankrate and Credible. Terms and conditions apply.

Unlock has helped more than 3,000 homeowners

to access their home equity

Hear from our Customers

See All Stories
This was a life changing experience. It was a simple and fast process. I appreciate being able to stay in my home and tap into my equity. Highly recommend.”
Carrie
Florida
I looked at just a couple of other companies online, and Unlock’s terms were the best. Moreover, the people I talked to – all the way through the process – were competent, and explained everything perfectly. I’ve paid off all my debts, including every credit card and all medical expenses. I’ve rebuilt the nest egg and invested some of the funds. My credit score is coming back up. Now I’m in really good financial shape, and have much less stress.”
Drew
North Carolina
My financial stress burden has been lifted, and I now have ‘reserve funding’ to use for debt reduction and unexpected business expenses. I can once again sleep well at night!”
John
California
I was looking for a way to get out of the credit card debt I had – not shift it around, but get rid of it. The Unlock HEA is not a loan – it doesn’t show up on my credit report. I’m no longer worried. I have no stress. Now my debt is gone, and since I have not added any debt, my debt-to-income ratio is much better.”
Dawn
Arizona

Questions?

We Have Answers

How is Unlock different from a reverse mortgage?
An Unlock Agreement has no age requirements and can yield similar cash to a homeowner as a reverse mortgage. Unlike a typical reverse mortgage, you can take out an Unlock Agreement in addition to your first mortgage. In addition, a reverse mortgage is a loan and has an interest rate which increases the balance owed regardless of the home’s value. Over time it is possible for a reverse mortgage to consume all your home equity. An Unlock agreement is not a loan, is impacted by home value and does not consume all your home equity.
How much can I get from Unlock?
Once you create an account, we’ll provide an estimate of the maximum cash available. In general, the maximum amount of cash available from Unlock is $500,000.  The specific amount we can offer you depends on four things:
  • Your home’s current value. In general, the more your home is worth, the more cash is available.
  • Pre-existing housing debt. This includes all mortgages and credit lines secured by your home.  In general, the less housing debt you have, the more cash is available.
  • Your credit history. A good credit track record may qualify for more cash.
  • The use of the property. We can typically offer more cash when the home is your primary residence.
Note that these factors can affect each other.  For instance, an expensive home with a lot of debt may qualify for less cash than a less expensive home with no debt. See the Unlock Product Guide for more details.
Who owns the home?
You do!  Unlock secures its interest by placing a lien on the property but has no rights of occupancy.  We do not go on title except in rare circumstances. See the Unlock Product Guide for more details.
Which states are you available in?
We are currently helping homeowners access their equity in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Washington state.  

How much can you Unlock?

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