Understanding down payments makes all the difference for first-time home buyers. The down payment influences many aspects of the process, including loan eligibility and the overall cost of that loan.
You'll repeatedly hear that it's bes...
Some things we take for granted now seemed absolutely bizarre just a few years ago. Take Turo, for example: a decade ago, the concept of tapping a button on your phone to rent someone else’s car for the day—well, that would have seemed wild. But now ...
The Welcome Tower, a temporary public art installation, is a 30-foot tall reconceptualization of one of the most iconic symbols of San Francisco, Coit Tower. The Welcome Tower explores the relationship between the historic identity of San Francisco as ...
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a real-life Unison customer? Well, wonder no more because we’ve put together the most real, most raw, look at the lifestyles and cribs of Unison customers.
That’s why we are proud to present: Real People ...
The Winners Are In!
We’re excited to announce the official winners of the Unison Dream Home Contest! Our Dream Home Contest asked potential homebuyers to share their stories with the world to compete for a $25,000 prize to be used toward...
Whenever interest rates fluctuate, it’s news. And inevitably, a stern-looking financial analyst will be given a guest spot on the news to talk about how interest rates impact the country at large. But the bigger question is, how do changing interest ...
With the American Dream of owning a home more challenging than ever to achieve, aspiring homeowners are asking themselves if it’s worth it to buy or is it better to just rent?
Here’s our analysis on the current state of renting vs. buyin...
Buying your first home is an exciting time packed with fun decisions and new experiences. Our homebuyer glossary is here to help you feel confident and empowered by defining common real estate terms you’re likely to encounter as you navigate the home bu...
As the familiar saying goes, “Good things come to those who wait.” But how about waiting 14 years to be able to put a down payment on your first home. According to the Unison Home Affordability Report, that’s the average length of time it takes someone ...
Life can be expensive. And unpredictable. We all find ourselves short on funds for something sooner or later.
Instead of taking out a loan or loading up your credit cards, if you’re already a homeowner with equity in your home, you have some opt...
In the U.S., we generally consider homes a bedrock investment. They’re a key anchor of many Americans' financial portfolios - and, increasingly, their retirement plans. But is that wise?
Today Unison I...
A visit to an open house can be intoxicating. Your anticipation builds with each step toward the door. This is the home that could realize your dreams — or dash them. And part of the thrill is not knowing which it will be.
Emotions can swell as y...
If America is the land of opportunity, then everybody should have an opportunity to own a home. If only that opportunity were equally accessible.
Why isn’t it equal? Home prices are rising. Wages are stagnant. Personal debt is often stagg...
There’s an avalanche of conflicting information out there about millennials and the American dream of homeownership. So, we recently checked in with a bunch of them to see how they really feel about buying a place to call their own.
...
Saving money for anything—especially a down payment on a house—is the ultimate in adulting. It’s challenging, it’s daunting, and it’s definitely not fun.
But if you can save for a home down payment, you’ll be making one of the best investments o...
Welcome to Unison, Together You Can.
Home co-investing is based on a straightforward yet radical idea: with a partner in home ownership, you can go further than you can go alone.
Welcome to Unison, the world’s first home co-investing...
Lately, big things have been happening here at Unison. We’re excited about expanding into new states and reaching more and more consumers who are interested in using a home ownership investment.
As we continue to grow and as more people ...
Buying a home is tough, owning one is a big responsibility, and all of it is part of the American Dream. At Unison, we believe we can go further together than alone by being partners on your homeownership journey.
That’s why we’re ple...
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
We don’t have to tell you how tough it is to buy your own home. Stagnant wages, mountainous student debt, insane home prices th...
HomeBuyer and HomeOwner Agreements are structured as Option Contracts. This is the legal framework that allows us to give you long-term cash without monthly payments or interest. An option contract gives the buyer of the option the right to buy a spe...
A question we often get at Unison is "where do you get your funds?" People want to have confidence our investment in their home is coming from someone focused on the long-term.
At a fundamental level, Unison connects homeowners and home...
Many people looking at Unison HomeOwner also check out HELOCs and other traditional options. Because no two individuals or situations are exactly the same, you need to know your options and make the decision that best fits you and your needs.
A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, is a financial product that allows you to tap into your home equity. You can use the money to fund home repairs, pay for large expenses, or whatever else you like. However, you need to make monthly payments to ...
Owning a home is a great way to plant roots and build wealth. If you have sizable equity in your home, you might consider using that equity for re-modeling your home or paying off medical or credit card debt. One way to do that is with a home equity ...
When people think about buying a home, one of the first places they often look is Zillow.com. It’s a very helpful website that lists homes for sale in cities and towns all across the U.S. One usef...
If you put down less than 20 percent in cash on your conventional mortgage loan, chances are that you should plan to pay private mortgage insurance.
Private mortgage insurance, or PMI, sounds like it might be a helpful protection agains...
PMI stands for private mortgage insurance. It’s an insurance policy your lender will take out to cover a portion of the amount you borrow in case you ever default on your loan.
This means if you stop paying what you owe on your mortgage and t...
For those who are at least 62 years old, taking out a reverse mortgage is one way to supplement your income in your retirement years. As long as you live in the home and have a decent amount of home equity, you are likely to be eligible.
Howe...
Imagine you want to buy a home priced at $500,000. That may sound like a lot of money — and it is! — but in many real estate markets, it’s only an average price tag.
That makes it tough for the average buyer to save up the recommended 20% dow...
A cash out refinance has become a popular way to tap into your home’s equity in recent years. In fact, more than 50% of homeowners used this method in 2017, according to a report conducted by Black Knight Financial Services. The process of getting ap...
Getting ready to buy a home? Then you’ve probably heard that you need to save for a down payment. When it comes to figuring out how much your down payment should be, most people advise 20% of a home's purchase price.
But when you want t...
We’re only human—sometimes we miss our bill due dates, possibly get charged a late fee, and then are more careful to pay it on time the next month. But what happens if you’re delinquent in paying something big, like your mortgage?
While ...
If you ask people what is necessary to buy a home, most experts will tell you a cash down payment of at least 20% is a key factor. Lenders will see you as a stronger borrower who brings less risk to the table, and that can increase your chances of ge...
If you’re looking at buying a home, there are three little letters you’ll probably hear a lot about in the process: PMI.
PMI is private mortgage insurance, which lenders use when borrowers request a loan but look risky due to their low down p...
In determining the price of a home, many people only consider the listing price of a home, without considering the cost of interest on a loan used to finance the home. The truth is that you will probably pay a significant amount of interest over the ...
If you’re looking to use the equity in your home through a home equity loan or HELOC, you probably want to get the money fast. Whether you’re doing a home remodel, paying for a college education, or using the money for something else, you don’t want ...
The 3 best ways to buy a home in 2019 – from Grant Sabatier, founder of Millennial Money. Grant says that Unison is a great alternative for those who cannot afford a 20% down payment and don’t want PMI.
“If you want to best set yourself ...
Imagine a world where millennials didn’t have their beloved iPhones, Instagram or Chipotle…
Despite popular opinion that millennials can’t live without technology, about 29% would be willing to give up their iPhone forever, nearl...