Consumer complaint received 2025-09-02 00:00:00
Product: Mortgage — Other type of mortgage
Issue: Closing on a mortgage — Trying to communicate with the company to fix an issue with the loan closing
Company: Real Estate Equity Exchange, Inc. d/b/a Unison
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
In 2022, during the XXXX pandemic, I entered into a home equity sharing agreement with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX time, I faced financial hardship and had no realistic alternatives. The program was presented as a lifeline, but its terms have proven exploitative. 

The original appraisal valued my home at {$360000.00}. However, by XX/XX/year>, XXXX estimated my homes value at {$430000.00} a gap of more than {$70000.00}. This undervaluation at origination inflated Unisons potential profit share while reducing mine. 

Under the agreement, XXXX now claims entitlement to nearly 70 % of my homes appreciation. With my home currently valued between {$460000.00} {$500000.00}, this leaves me with little to no equity despite years of mortgage payments and property upkeep. 

This property is financed with a XXXX loan, which is designed to help veterans build and preserve equity. XXXX product directly undermines that benefit. 

Homeowners bear 100 % of the mortgage payments, risks, and upkeep, while XXXX reaps a disproportionate share of appreciation. 

I am also aware of other veterans who have raised similar complaints, suggesting a systemic pattern of consumer harm. 

Attempts to Resolve I have made multiple good-faith attempts to resolve this matter directly with XXXX. I raised concerns about the disproportionate 70 % profit share, the undervalued appraisal, and the conflict with my VA loan protections. I specifically requested that XXXX adjust the agreement to an industry-standard equity share of 3040 %, which would be a fairer resolution. Instead, XXXX refused and only suggested that I could buy out the contract an option I can not afford. This demonstrates that XXXX offered no realistic or fair path to resolution. 

Summary of Unisons Responses Claimed the agreement is fair because it was entered into voluntarily and with the opportunity for outside advice. 

Defended the appraisal by stating it was conducted by a third-party XXXX and not influenced by them. 

Denied that their terms are predatory or unconscionable, and asked me to provide industry standards if I believed otherwise. 

Stated they did not understand how their product undermines VA loan protections and asked me to provide references. 

Maintained that homeowners benefit from the program and suggested I continue making mortgage payments despite the equity loss. 

Indicated I could buy out the contract, which is not a viable solution given the financial burden already imposed. 

Requested Action I respectfully ask the CFPB to : Investigate Unisons practices for unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices ( UDAAP ). 

Review whether these agreements conflict with VA loan protections. 

Require XXXX to provide fair remedies in cases where their profit share is unconscionably high, including aligning with industry-standard equity shares ( 3040 % ). 

I am attaching my agreement, Unisons written responses, and valuation evidence for your review. 

Respectfully, XXXX XXXX

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation