Last Updated: 02/19/2026
Aspire HEI
Claimed
Last Updated: 02/19/2026
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Highlights
Community Rating
Strongly recommended
Credit Score Range
Starting at 660
Funding Range $
$35,000 - $250,000
Funding Range %
Up to 15%
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Contract Term
15
Number of Reviews
Aspire HEI Review
Aspire is offered by Redwood Trust, a nonbank financial services provider focused on housing accessibility. Founded in 1994 and based in Mill Valley, CA, Aspire is currently available in 9 states and Washington DC.
Key Takeaways
- Fair credit accepted. If you have a credit score of 660 or higher, you may qualify for a home equity agreement with Aspire HEI.
- Share of the home's change in value. Aspire gets paid a share of the home's ‘change in value’ at the end of the agreement. Aspire is only participating in the amount that the home goes up (or down) from the starting value of the home when the agreement is signed.
- Access existing equity only. Existing homeowners can access up to 15% of their property's value. Funds can be used for anything, from paying off debt to renovating or retirement.
- No income requirements. Income and debt-to-income ratio (DTI) are not considered during the Home Equity Investment application process.
- Maximum investment of $250,000. Your actual offer will depend on your home's value and how much equity you have in the property.
- Long contract terms. Aspire HEI offers contract terms of up to 15 years, which provides homeowners with plenty of flexibility.
- Home improvement credit. Redwood Trust recognizes money you invest in eligible home improvements and adjusts the ending value so it doesn’t take a share of the value you added.
- Cash-out only. Existing homeowners can access up to 15% of their property's value.
- Only available in select states. Aspire HEI is currently available in a limited number of states.
Aspire HEI Pros & Cons
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Aspire HEI FAQ
How does the Aspire HEI product work?
A home equity agreement, also known as a home equity investment or HEI, is essentially a way to sell a portion of the equity in your home to an investment company.The Aspire HEI allows you to tap into the equity in your home without the monthly payments that come from a traditional home equity loan or line of credit. This product is designed for homeowners who need cash for reasons such as home improvement project or to eliminate debt, but don’t want the associated monthly payment which comes along with it.
Aspire HEI will have a lien on the property (just like a mortgage does), but since it's not a loan you won't be paying Aspire HEI a monthly payment. Instead Aspire HEI gets paid a share of your home's change in value when the contract ends, which typically occurs when you decide to sell your home or buy Aspire HEI out through a refinance or another source of fund. For example, Aspire HEI might provide you with a cash investment today equal to 10% of your home's current value in exchange for 30% of your home's change in value (the difference between the value of your home when you signed the agreement and the value of your home when you end the agreement. Actual share amount will depend on the % of your home’s value you receive in funding, when you terminate the agreement.
How much will Redwood Trust invest?
Redwood Trust offers equity investments of up to 15% of a property's value. The maximum investment in a single home is $250,000.
While Aspire HEI is not a loan, the maximum lien-to-value ratio is 75%. This means the total of the investment return plus any existing mortgage balance cannot exceed that percentage of the property’s value.
| Term | Amount |
| Investment Amount | $35,000 – $250,000 |
What are the costs associated with Aspire HEI?
Unlike loans, the cost associated with an Aspire HEI is not based on an interest rate. There are no monthly payments or accrued interest. Instead, Aspire shares in the change in value of your property. Unlike lenders, who typically receive monthly principal and interest payments in return for the money they provide up front in order to make a return on the money they gave the homeowner, Aspire receives a share of the change in value of your property at the end of the agreement. It’s this share of the change in value at the end of the agreement which allows them to make a return on their funding provided to the homeowner.
The percentage of your home’s value that Redwood Trust shares when the contract ends is larger than the percentage of Redwood Trust 's investment in your home. Therefore, Redwood Trust will make a profit if your home’s value does not change. If your home’s value increases, Redwood Trust will make a larger profit. If the value drops, Redwood Trust will make a smaller profit, or might incur a loss.
The Aspire program includes a closing fee equal to 3% of their investment, and is taken out of the funding amount at closing.
| Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Closing Costs (%) | 3.25% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share of Home Appreciation | Up to 48.75% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
What are the terms for a shared equity agreement?
You can use the funds for up to 15 years.
When the term ends, you must settle the agreement by returning the investment, selling the home, refinancing, or partnering with the investor for another term.
Settlement is based on the original investment plus or minus the investor’s share of the home’s change in value.
How long does it take to close?
Funding typically occurs within 14 days.
What types of property are eligible?
Intended Use- Primary home
- Secondary home
Is Redwood Trust a legit company?
Redwood Trust was founded in 1994, it is a well-established company that has been in business for 32 years. Based on their "strongly recommended" SuperMoney community rating, they appear to be a very reputable company.
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Editorial Disclaimer: Editorial and user-generated content on this page is not provided or commissioned by the issuer. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone and have not been approved or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution, including those that are advertising partners.
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