This post is sponsored and contributed by Unison, a Patch Brand Partner.

Personal Finance

How To Make Sure Your Renovations Pay Off in the Long Run

A smarter loan option helps you lower payments today and keep the full value of your upgrades tomorrow.

Unison’s Equity Sharing Home Loan helps you lower payments now while keeping full credit for the value of your renovations — making sure your upgrades truly pay off in the long run.
Unison’s Equity Sharing Home Loan helps you lower payments now while keeping full credit for the value of your renovations — making sure your upgrades truly pay off in the long run. (Shutterstock)

Home improvements are one of the most common reasons homeowners tap into their equity. Whether it’s a remodeled kitchen, a finished basement, or new energy-efficient windows, the right upgrades can boost comfort, increase resale value and make daily life easier. The challenge? Most borrowing options don’t reward you for those investments.

With a traditional loan or refinance, you take on higher monthly payments and add more debt — and when it’s time to settle up, the lender benefits from the higher value of your home just as much as you do. That’s where Unison’s Equity Sharing Home Loan stands apart.


A Loan Built With Homeowners in Mind

Unison’s Equity Sharing Home Loan isn’t your typical second mortgage. It’s designed to keep monthly payments lower while giving you access to your equity today:

  • It’s a 10-year, fixed-rate interest-only loan. You pay up to 75% of the interest each month, while the other 25% is deferred until the end of the loan term.
  • At the end of the loan — or sooner, if you sell or refinance — you repay the original loan amount, any deferred interest, and a fixed share of your home’s appreciation.
  • Example: Borrow 10% of your home’s value, and you’ll typically share 15% of its future appreciation.

That structure can reduce second-mortgage payments by as much as 50 to 70% compared to traditional options, leaving more money in your pocket for projects that matter.


Keep 100% of the Value You Create

Unison goes a step further with its Capital Improvement Adjustment — a feature designed specifically for homeowners who invest in renovations.

Here’s how it works:

  • After three years, if you’ve hired licensed contractors and kept records of the work, an independent appraiser determines how much value your improvements added.
  • That increase is excluded from Unison’s shared appreciation calculation.

In other words, if you spent $50,000 remodeling your kitchen and it boosted your home’s value by $75,000, that added equity is fully yours to keep.


Why This Matters for Homeowners

This adjustment means you don’t just get lower payments now — you also protect the long-term value of the improvements you’ve made. It’s especially helpful if you’re planning major projects like:

  • A kitchen or bathroom remodel
  • A finished basement or attic
  • Energy-efficient upgrades like windows, insulation, or solar panels
  • Structural fixes such as a new roof or foundation repair

By keeping full credit for those investments, you’re not giving away the equity you worked hard (and paid dearly) to create.


Making Renovations Work for You

Unison’s Equity Sharing Home Loan may be a smart choice if you want to make renovations without adding large monthly payments, prefer not to refinance your first mortgage, or value keeping the equity from your improvements. It’s also a flexible option for homeowners who need more breathing room than traditional second-mortgage products allow.

Home improvements should pay off — not just for your lender, but for you. With Unison’s Equity Sharing Home Loan, you can enjoy lower payments today and the confidence that the value of your upgrades will remain fully yours in the future.



Discover how Unison’s Equity Sharing Home Loan can help you invest in your home and keep more of the value you create.


Disclaimer: This article is sponsored by Unison and provides general consumer information only. It is not financial, legal, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions about home equity products. Borrowing against home equity involves risks, including increased debt, potential loss of equity if property values decline, and foreclosure if payments are not made. Unison’s Equity Sharing Home Loan requires a minimum FICO score of 680, at least 30% home equity, and other eligibility criteria; repayment includes the original amount, deferred interest, and a share of future home appreciation. Terms and availability vary by location. Contact Unison for details. This article contains links to third-party websites, which we do not endorse or control. Access these links at your own risk. Statements about home value appreciation are forward-looking and based on assumptions; actual results may vary.

This post is sponsored and contributed by Unison, a Patch Brand Partner.