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What Is a Home Equity Investment? Unlock Cash With No Monthly Payments
HomeLight
Real Estate
8 months ago
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When a homeowner needs fast access to cash for a life change or opportunity, their first thought may be to tap into their equity. But what if you can’t afford to make additional monthly payments on a traditional home equity loan, or your credit score won’t qualify for a cash-out refinance or line of credit? You may find the solution is a home equity investment.

A home equity investment (HEI) is a flexible alternative gaining traction among U.S. homeowners. It’s a creative option to battle high interest rates, monthly income limitations, or hurdles like low credit scores and stringent lending criteria.

HEIs can open a window to tap into your home’s value without the stress of monthly payments, but they come with some risks you’ll want to understand and weigh.

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Understanding home equity investment

Home equity investment is a financial arrangement where, instead of borrowing against your home’s equity, you partner with an investment company. In this partnership, the company provides you with a lump sum of cash in exchange for a percentage of your home’s future value. This is notably different from traditional home equity loans or home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), where you borrow money and pay it back with interest.

The key aspect of HEI is that it’s not a loan. There are no monthly payments or interest rates. Instead, when you decide to sell your home, or at the end of the agreed term (usually 10 to 30 years), the company receives its share of the home’s appreciated value along with the original investment. This can be particularly beneficial if you’re seeking immediate liquidity but are not in a position to handle additional monthly payments.

HEIs are especially attractive to homeowners who have significant equity in their homes but might struggle to secure traditional loans. Let’s look at some specific situations where an HEI might be helpful. We’ll also provide a dollar-amount example later in this post.

Why homeowners choose home equity investments

Homeowners are increasingly turning to home equity investments (HEIs) as a viable alternative to customary borrowing methods for several compelling reasons. Here’s why:

  1. Avoiding high interest rates and closing costs: Traditional home equity loans and lines of credit come with interest rates and closing costs that can significantly increase the overall repayment amount. HEIs, on the other hand, do not have these additional costs, making them a more economical option in the long run.
  2. Overcoming credit challenges: For homeowners with low credit scores or a less-than-ideal credit history, securing a traditional loan can be challenging. HEIs offer a solution as they focus more on the home’s equity value rather than the individual’s creditworthiness.
  3. High debt-to-income ratio: Traditional lenders often shy away from borrowers with high debt-to-income ratios. HEIs provide an alternative for homeowners who may not qualify for traditional loans due to this financial metric.
  4. Solutions for the self-employed: Self-employed individuals often face hurdles in proving consistent income, a requirement for traditional loans. HEIs cater to this group by offering a more flexible qualification process, based on home equity rather than income verification.
  5. House-rich, cash-poor dilemma: Many homeowners have built substantial equity in their homes over time but lack liquid assets. HEIs allow these homeowners to convert part of their equity into cash, providing financial relief without the need for monthly loan repayments.

These factors make home equity investments an attractive option for a wide range of homeowners, especially those looking for financial flexibility and those who may not fit the traditional lending mold. In the next section, we’ll unravel how HEIs work so you’ll know what strings are attached — some can be binding and others liberating.


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