In a Nutshell
pros
- Pay only when you settle—no monthly payments or interest
- Complete the online application in under 10 minutes
- Receive up to $400,000
cons
- Must be repaid within 10 years or risk being forced to sell home
Overview
Hometap offers home equity investments as an alternative to conventional home equity loans and HELOCs. Hometap invests alongside you, so that you can access your equity without going into debt.
The process is simple, straightforward, and transparent. When you settle your investment, Hometap receives a portion of your home’s value as payment for its investment.
Because Hometap is an investor, not a lender, you don’t have to deal with interest or monthly payments. Instead, once you’re approved, you can receive cash in as little as three weeks to use it however you’d like.
Suitable For?
Hometap works for homeowners who want a fast, flexible, and transparent way to access their home’s equity. Since Hometap doesn’t require monthly payments or charge interest, it’s ideal for people who need money sooner rather than later. You don’t make any payments until you settle your investment within the 10-year effective period.
Types of Loans/Products
Hometap only offers home equity investments. However, it makes these investments flexible and easy for homeowners to qualify for through its application process.
Hometap will give you up to 30% of your home’s current value in exchange for a percentage of its future value. You’ll get a cash lump sum, and you won’t have to pay it back until you settle the investment.
Throughout the Hometap Investment process, you’ll be paired with a dedicated Investment Manager who will walk you through each step and answer any questions you may have along the way.
The Application Process
Hometap has one of the quickest and easiest application processes available for home equity investments. The application itself only takes about 10 minutes to complete, and once approved, you can receive funding in as little as three weeks.
To apply for a Hometap investment, follow these steps:
- Answer some preliminary questions to find out if you qualify for a home equity investment and how much equity you may be able to access from your home.
- If you qualify, Hometap will walk you step by step through the investment process.
- Your home’s current value will determine how much Hometap will invest.
- Once approved, Hometap will invest up to 30% of your home’s current appraised value in exchange for a percentage of its future value.
- You’ll receive your funds in as little as three weeks, and can use them for whatever you’d like.
Rates and Fees– The Bare Basics
There are no monthly payments or interest to worry about with a Hometap Investment. Hometap does charge a fee equal to 3% of the investment amount that covers the arrangement and funding of the investment. There are no other Hometap fees, however, the appraisal and other third party costs associated with the signing (i.e.: escrow, attorney/notary, and document recording) are deducted from the investment amount when you get your money.
So that there are no hidden fees or surprises, you’ll receive a detailed estimate after you submit an application, including all of the final costs of obtaining the investment.
Repayment Terms
The effective period for a Hometap investment is 10 years, and you settle it all at once, the same way you received it.
When you decide to settle, Hometap may send an outside appraiser to determine your home’s value. Depending on whether its value increased or decreased over the past several years, you may end up paying even less than you borrowed.
Help & Support
Hometap investment managers are available Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In addition to contacting them directly, you can find more information on their Homeowners’ Resources page, which provides guides, videos, and other content to help you understand how a home equity investment can help you.
- Email: hello@hometap.com
- Phone: 1-617-399-024
You can also use Hometap’s online form to send an inquiry, and they will get back to you as soon as possible.
Summary
Hometap can be an excellent option for many homeowners who don’t want the stress of monthly payments that come with a loan. With this investor, you only pay back the loan when you settle or sell your home.
Hometap offers plenty of educational content for homeowners considering taking an investment. Despite its lengthy approval process and many fees, this company offers the advantage of less hassle for your money.
FAQ
How is a Hometap investment different from a HELOC?
A home equity line of credit (HELOC) lets you use your home’s equity when you need to borrow money. Hometap invests in your home based on the amount of equity you’ve already built from paying off your mortgage. Unlike HELOCs, you don’t need to worry about monthly payments with a Hometap investment.
What if my home’s value goes down after ten years?
If your home’s value decreases, Hometap shares the loss. Some homeowners pay less than they borrowed when their home’s value goes down.
What happens if I can’t settle the investment?
One of the risks that comes with a Hometap investment is not being able to pay back the investment when the time comes to settle If you don’t think you’ll be able to settle your investment through a refinance or buyout with savings and plan to stay in your home long term, a Hometap investment might not be the best fit.
Will a Hometap investment affect my credit score?
Because Hometap is not a lender and does not require monthly payments, an investment will not impact your credit score.
Physical Address
800 Boylston St, 16th Floor
Boston, MA 02199
