How an Investment Increase from Hometap Works

Last updated May 7, 2025

If you didn’t take your full Investment amount from Hometap the first time around, you may be able to receive a new Investment to access additional equity. We call this an Investment Increase.

Here’s how it works: If you qualify, the funds from your new investment will settle the first investment, and you receive the remaining funds. Since this is a new investment, the effective period resets to ten years.

Homeowners opt to access more home equity for all kinds of reasons: they miscalculate the cost of their home renovation project; their business is growing faster than expected and they need more funding to scale; now that debts are paid off, there are new financial goals to consider — the reasons are virtually limitless. And Investment Increases can help to get you where you want to be.

Below, we answer some common questions you might have before you tap into additional equity with us.

How will I know how much I qualify for?

You may be able to get a very general idea by referencing your first Investment Estimate and subtracting the amount you tapped into. That being said, there are many moving parts and factors that can change quickly in the time that has passed since your initial Investment. It’s not guaranteed that you’ll qualify for an increase, even if you didn’t originally take the maximum you qualified for the first time.

You can log into your Home Equity Dashboard at any time to see your estimated tappable equity and you can use your settlement calculator to see approximately what you owe. This will give you an idea of how much you could access, but ultimately you’ll need to request an estimate.

Will I work with the same Investment Manager?

While we do our best to pair you with the same Investment Manager you worked with the first time around, there are some cases when it’s not possible. However, every one of our Investment Managers is committed to providing our homeowners with the best experience possible, and we’re confident that you’ll be happy with any of our helpful team members!

Will I need another appraisal? Will I have to pay the same closing costs?

Since appraisals typically expire after 90 days, you’ll likely need another appraisal if you’re taking another Investment after that point. You can also expect similar closing costs as you were responsible for with the first Investment. The closing cost fee will only apply to the second Investment amount, and the Hometap fee will be the difference between your original Investment amount and the new Investment amount (rather than the full 3.5%). As with the first Investment, this will be deducted from the funding amount, so you won’t have any out-of-pocket expenses.

Can I expect the process to move faster the second time?

This all depends on the amount of time that’s passed between Investments. While your time frame to receiving your funds may be shortened the second (or third) time around, most of the documentation we require expires after 90 days, so you’ll likely need to provide more recent versions of each document.

Are there any factors that could make me ineligible for an Investment Increase?

Yes, it’s possible that if your financial situation has changed since your first Investment, you may not qualify for a second Investment. It’s also possible that there are changes on our end that no longer make a second investment feasible. That’s why we’ll need to start with a fresh Estimate request.

In what cases might an Investment Increase not be a good idea?

While we don’t offer financial advice and recommend you consult with an advisor before making any decisions, we encourage you to look at what you’d owe today from your Investment, and consider how and when you plan to settle — as well as the factors that are encouraging you to access more of your equity. For example, it might not be a great choice for you if you have less-than-stellar financial health habits that haven’t improved from your first Investment, or if your financial need is one that isn’t likely to appreciate or build wealth.

Your financial health matters, and we want to ensure you’re in the best position to settle your investment in strong financial standing.

If I want to move forward with an Investment Increase, what’s the first step I should take?

To begin the process of an Investment Increase, log into your account and request a new Estimate. Your Investment Manager will promptly follow up with you to discuss the next steps.

Thank you for considering Hometap (again!) to access additional equity from your home to accomplish your financial goals.