If you’re a homeowner in the Las Vegas area, you’ve likely seen your home’s value fluctuate over the years — sometimes quickly, sometimes unpredictably. Many homeowners have built meaningful equity by holding on through those cycles, improving their homes steadily, and staying rooted while the city evolved.
But unless you’re ready to sell, putting that hard-earned equity to good use isn’t always straightforward.
Between rising living costs, higher insurance premiums, energy bills in extreme heat, and a strong desire to avoid adding fixed monthly payments, traditional ways of accessing equity don’t always align with what Las Vegas homeowners actually need right now.
From Summerlin and Henderson to Spring Valley, North Las Vegas, and the communities stretching along the valley’s edges, many homeowners find themselves in a similar position: equity-rich on paper, but cautious about taking on new debt. That’s why more Southern Nevada homeowners are starting to explore alternatives like Unison’s equity sharing agreement — a way to put home equity to work without refinancing into a higher rate or committing to steep monthly payments.
Why Las Vegas Homeowners Are Looking to Access Equity
Here’s why more Las Vegas homeowners are taking a closer look at using their equity:
The cost of living feels less manageable
While Nevada’s lack of state income tax remains a benefit, everyday costs in the Las Vegas metro have risen. Utilities (especially summer electricity), insurance, HOA dues, childcare, healthcare, and basic expenses add up quickly.
Homes in the desert need some TLC
Extreme heat is hard on homes. HVAC systems, roofs, insulation, windows, and pools need maintenance and replacement more often than many homeowners expect. Energy efficiency upgrades can make a big difference, but affording them isn’t always easy to budget for.
Income is not always steady or predictable
Las Vegas has a large population of homeowners whose income includes bonuses, tips, commissions, hospitality work, or self-employment. When it comes to using equity for big goals or consolidating debt, even financially healthy households may prefer to avoid fixed obligations when income isn’t perfectly predictable month to month.
Life transitions aren’t always expected
Home equity often comes into play during moments like:
- Job changes or gaps between roles
- Supporting family or helping with education costs
- Medical expenses or caregiving responsibilities
- Consolidating higher-interest debt
- Funding a business, side venture, or major life reset
In those moments, the key concern is more than just accessing cash. It’s about creating genuine breathing room –– not just another stressful payment.
What Is Unison’s Equity Sharing Agreement?
Unison’s equity sharing agreement allows you to access a portion of your home’s equity today, without adding a monthly payment.
Here’s the basic structure:
- You receive upfront funds (up to $500,000)
- In return, Unison shares in a percentage of your home’s future change in value.
- Settlement happens when you sell, refinance, buy out the agreement, or after 30 years.
There is:
- No interest
- No monthly payments
- No new debt added to your credit profile
Instead of acting like a lender, Unison becomes a long-term partner in your home’s value. When the agreement ends, Unison shares in the appreciation — or in certain cases, the loss, if the home’s value declines.
It’s a way to unlock equity now, while preserving cash flow when you need it most.
What About More Traditional Equity Options?
For many Las Vegas homeowners, qualifying for a loan isn’t the main issue. It’s locking themselves into steep payments for months and years to come, which is especially tough in an uncertain economy.
Here’s why some of the more traditional equity options are falling out of favor:
HELOCs
HELOCs offer flexibility, but variable rates create a certain payment risk. When your insurance, utilities, and maintenance costs already fluctuate unpredictably, the idea of another cost that can suddenly jump often feels uncomfortable.
Home Equity Loans
Fixed-rate loans offer a sense of predictability, but payments begin immediately and don’t adjust if your situation changes. That can be a tough commitment if short-term breathing room and flexibility matter most.
Cash-Out Refinancing
Refinancing can unlock cash, but often requires giving up a low mortgage rate secured years ago. For many Vegas homeowners, that tradeoff ends up costing them more than the short-term benefit was actually worth.
In short: traditional options often solve the cash problem today, but create a payment problem tomorrow.
Why Equity Sharing Makes Sense For Nevada Homeowners
1. Cash-flow stability often matters more than lowest long-term cost
Many Las Vegas homeowners are prioritizing flexibility and stability today, especially in households where income can fluctuate. Equity sharing unlocks funds without increasing monthly obligations.
2. People want options that work across market cycles
Las Vegas homeowners know markets move in phases. Solutions that don’t force immediate repayment or refinancing can feel like a better fit for a long-term, adaptable mindset.
3. It supports practical, real-life goals
Homeowners using equity sharing commonly apply funds toward:
- Home repairs or energy upgrades
- Debt consolidation
- Education or family support
- Bridging income gaps
- Avoiding high-interest or short-term loans
When Unison’s Equity Sharing Agreement Makes Sense — and When It Doesn’t
It may be a good fit if you:
- Want access to equity without monthly payments
- Have a low mortgage rate you want to protect
- Need financial breathing room now
- Are funding meaningful improvements or life needs
- Prefer flexibility over immediate repayment
It may not be the right fit if you:
- Plan to sell in the near future
- Prefer traditional debt-based financing
- Want to minimize total long-term cost, even if payments are higher today
- Only need a small, short-term loan
Equity sharing trades payment relief today for a share of future equity later. Whether that’s a worthwhile tradeoff depends on your unique goals, timeline, and priorities.
What About Unison’s Equity Sharing Home Loan?
Some Las Vegas homeowners want a more familiar loan structure — just with less pressure on their monthly budget.
Unison’s Equity Sharing Home Loan combines:
- A traditional loan structure, with an equity sharing component
- Below-market interest rates
- Significantly lower monthly payments
- A 10-year interest-only period
It’s designed specifically for homeowners who like the idea of making predictable monthly payments, but are open to using a share of home equity to make those payments smaller than usual.
How to Think Through Your Options as a Las Vegas Homeowner
When comparing equity options, it helps to ask:
- Do I want to make monthly payments — or avoid them?
- Is my current mortgage rate worth protecting?
- How much flexibility do I need right now?
- Is this about short-term breathing room, long-term planning, or both?
- Can I comfortably manage this option if circumstances change?
There’s no right answer that works for everyone, which is exactly why multiple options exist.
Final Thoughts: More Control for Las Vegas Homeowners
Las Vegas homeowners have built equity through ownership, resilience, and patience — often across multiple market cycles. But equity can only help if it’s accessible in a way that supports your life today.
Unison’s equity sharing agreement exists for homeowners who want to use their home’s value now, without adding immediate financial strain. For many households, it’s a way to manage real-world needs today, stay rooted in their home, and address the tradeoff further down the road — when they’re in a stronger position.
If you’re exploring ways to tap your home’s equity in Nevada, it may be worth understanding how equity sharing compares to the traditional options you already know.
When you work with Unison, you gain a transparent, supportive partner — one that understands the Las Vegas market and aligns with long-term homeownership goals. To see if equity sharing could work for you, you can start with a quick eligibility check (with no impact on your credit) or learn more at Unison.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About Equity Sharing in Nevada
- How does equity sharing work in Nevada?
Equity sharing lets homeowners access a portion of their equity today without new monthly payments or interest-bearing debt. With Unison’s equity sharing agreement, you share a portion of future appreciation (or, in certain cases, depreciation) when the agreement ends. - Is equity sharing available to Las Vegas homeowners?
Yes. Equity sharing is available throughout Nevada and is especially relevant in markets like Las Vegas where living costs have grown and income may be less predictable than in other regions. - How is an equity sharing agreement different from a HELOC or home equity loan?
Traditional options come at the fixed cost of interest and monthly payments. Equity sharing does not. Instead, the cost is a share of the change in value of your home, which can vary widely. The obvious, instant benefit is relief from monthly payments and steep borrowing costs. - Does Unison take ownership of my home?
Nope –– you own your home! You control the property and receive the benefits of home ownership, such as occupancy rights and income tax deductions. Unison is not an owner and has no rights of occupancy. Rather, we share a portion of the future change in value of the home, as an investor.
We secure our investment –– without becoming in any way co-owners of your home –– by placing a lien on your property, similarly to a mortgage lender. If you currently have a mortgage, our lien will be in second position. We also record a “Memorandum of Agreement” which serves as public notice of our interest in your property. - Does equity sharing affect property taxes in Nevada?
Equity sharing does not change ownership or independently trigger a reassessment. Local tax rules vary by jurisdiction. - Is the Equity Sharing Home Loan available in Nevada?
Yes. It’s another alternative that does include monthly payments, but at a much lower interest rate; offset by an appreciation sharing component that’s settled at the end of the loan.
Disclaimer: This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as financial, investment, legal, tax, or lending advice. The information presented is general in nature, may not apply to your specific situation, and actual outcomes can vary based on individual circumstances, market conditions, and applicable laws. Home equity sharing agreements and related products involve significant risks, including the potential to owe more than the amount received, loss of future home appreciation, restrictions on selling or refinancing your home, and other financial implications. Terms, availability, eligibility, and costs for any products or options discussed may vary by state and other factors. We strongly recommend consulting with qualified independent financial advisors, attorneys, tax professionals, or other licensed experts before making any decisions or entering into any agreements. This article discusses options offered by Unison and is not a guarantee of approval or specific results. For traditional lending products, see Unison Mortgage Corp., NMLS #2574289.