Home equity

Is Hometap legit?

★★★★4.0 · our rating · illustrative
The short answer

Yes — Hometap is an established, legitimate home equity investment company.

  • Its offer: a lump sum now for a share of your home's future value, with no monthly payment.
  • Hometap's term is typically 10 years — shorter than some rivals, so the settlement deadline comes sooner.
  • You settle by selling, refinancing, or buying Hometap out with savings.
  • The catch: legitimate doesn't mean cheap. Rule out a HELOC first and model the buyout.
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Is Hometap a real company?

Yes. Hometap is an established home equity investment company that has funded homeowners for years. Here's how the product works: Hometap hands you a lump sum now, with no monthly payment and no interest. In exchange, it takes a share of what your home is worth when the term ends. The process runs online, and funds usually arrive in a few weeks.

The key thing to note plainly is the term. Hometap's is typically 10 years — shorter than a rival like Point, which can run up to 30. A shorter horizon means the settlement deadline arrives sooner, so your exit plan matters more, not less.

What Hometap costs

10 yr
Typical term — the shorter horizon
settlement comes sooner
~500+
Typical minimum credit score
lighter bar than a HELOC
share of value
The real cost you trade away
where the price hides

Illustrative and typical — terms vary by home, state, and offer. Model your buyout →

See the full cost breakdown → Compare the companies →

✓ Hometap fits if

  • You're equity-rich but short on income or credit, and can't get a HELOC.
  • You expect flat-to-modest appreciation over the term.
  • You have a realistic plan to exit within 10 years.

✕ Skip it if

  • You can qualify for a HELOC, which is usually cheaper.
  • You expect strong appreciation, which makes the share costly.
  • You lack a plan to settle within the 10-year term.
⚠ The catch

The 10-year clock is shorter than it sounds. Have your exit — a sale, a refinance, or savings — mapped before you sign. A settlement you can't fund can force a sale.

Rule out a HELOC first. If you can qualify, it usually costs less, and it doesn't hand over a share of your home's future value.

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