ExtraMile by HiTechNectar is back with another exclusive Q&A session to offer expert-led takeaways on the leading industry trends so that you stay informed. Today’s discussion sheds light on the evolving FinTech and PropTech sectors, as well as the emergence of home equity investment.
For this purpose, we are accompanied by Michael Gifford, the CEO and Co-Founder of Splitero, the leading FinTech firm focused on home equity. The organization is on a mission to empower homeowners by providing access to home equity based on their home’s future value.
Michael holds expertise in the real estate sector. He established Splitero to address the limited resources homeowners face when accessing home equity. In this discussion, we will understand Michael’s leadership decisions, the misconceptions about home equity investment, key innovations in the FinTech sector, and more.
So, let’s get started on uncovering unmatched insights into emerging FinTech practices, led by none other than an expert…
Welcome, Michael; we’re glad you could join us today!
Q1. Which leadership decision early in your career shaped how you run Splitero today?
Michael. I realized early on that building the right team matters more than trying to do everything yourself. Throughout my career, I’ve stayed hands-on with my teams, while also focusing heavily on recruiting talented, driven people and giving them the autonomy and support to succeed. That approach helped us build a highly adaptable business at Splitero, where teams are empowered to solve problems collaboratively.
Strong leadership is less about controlling every decision and more about creating an environment where talented people can do their best work. Balancing your trust in the team with the need to be involved creates an efficient, adaptable business that can scale quickly. Maintaining that balance of hands-on leadership, trust, and decisiveness continues to shape how I lead Splitero today.
Q2. What is one misconception about home equity investment (HEI), according to you? Why did you establish a firm that offers HEI services to homeowners?
Michael. One of the biggest misconceptions is that homeowners think they are giving up ownership and control of their home. We often hear questions like, “Does Splitero own my house now?” or “Do I need permission to renovate or refinance?” Homeowners retain full ownership and control of their property. Homeowners can still renovate, refinance, maintain, or live in their home.
Early in my career, I saw firsthand the lack of options available to homeowners when they most need access to the value trapped in their home equity. That gap stuck with me and ultimately shaped how I think about financial products today. With Splitero, we build solutions that prioritize access and flexibility, rather than forcing homeowners into rigid, one-size-fits-all lending structures.
Splitero was born out of the realization that traditional financial products often fail to meet homeowners’ needs. Spending my career in real estate and lending, I anticipated market changes, and saw far too many people were forced to sell their homes or take on credit card debt simply because they lacked access to flexible alternatives. That disconnect was the catalyst.
Q3. What is that capability or belief Splitero has that your competitors don’t? How do you ensure preserving this capability in high-pressure situations?
Michael. Your ability to access your home equity shouldn’t depend on your current income. Homeowners should be able to access the equity value in their property, regardless of their debt-to-income ratio.
We’ve built this from the ground up with the homeowner in mind. Unlike traditional lenders or some newer equity-sharing models, we don’t require monthly payments or proof of income. That opens the door for a considerable population of homeowners who are house-rich but may not qualify for other financial products.
Another key differentiator is flexibility. Our product has a term that aligns with the life of your mortgage, known as a Maturity Match, which gives homeowners time to make decisions on their own terms. And there are no restrictions on how they use the funds. Whether it’s paying off high-interest debt, covering medical bills, or simply creating some financial breathing room, it’s their equity. They should be able to use it however they need.
We also offer our expertise with Splitero Homes, our affiliated brokerage service that supports homeowners when they’re ready to exit their investment by selling their home. It ensures they’re working with trusted agents who fully understand the HEI structure and have aligned interests with our homeowners, maximizing the sale price of their home. It’s a critical part of the full-service experience we’re building—one that supports homeowners not just at the start, but throughout the entire journey.
What really sets Splitero apart is our efficiency. Our platform is built for speed and transparency. Homeowners can get a personalized quote in minutes, and we can go from application to funding quicker than most. Combine that with a seasoned team that understands both institutional capital and homeowners’ real-world needs, and I think we’ve carved out a unique space in this industry.
At the end of the day, we are here to offer a simple solution by being the most homeowner-friendly way to leverage their home equity, especially for those who’ve historically been left out of our financial system. That mission shows up in everything we build.
Q4. What is the hardest truth about HEI that both providers and homeowners must Accept?
Michael. The hardest truth is that the final repurchase amount is tied to the market. Your home’s value will change, but the share percentage (agreed upon at closing) will not. The terms are set on day one, but neither homeowners nor providers can know what the housing market and individual home values will look like when they decide to sell.
At Splitero, we prioritize transparency from the start to ensure every homeowner understands the agreement and their options. It’s a core tenet that we provide education, transparency, and intentional communication at every step of the process, because while the future may be uncertain, we want homeowners to be confident in their choices.
Q5. FinTech and PropTech are two quickly evolving industries. Which innovations do you think will quietly reshape these two industries for the next decade?
Michael. Artificial Intelligence and faster automation are already making real estate financing faster and less burdensome for homeowners. The result is a better experience for the homeowner, including faster timelines and more streamlined communication. I think the innovations that will matter most over the next decade are the ones that keep pushing in that direction, making it simpler and faster for homeowners to understand and access the equity they’ve built.
Q6. People compare HEI to traditional loans all the time. In plain terms, who should nevertake an HEI and who stands to benefit the most?
Michael. If you’re not comfortable with the idea that you’ll share a portion of your future home value, an HEI is probably not the right fit. Everyone stands to benefit from HEIs. There are very few financial products without a monthly payment, and that flexibility provides unmatched stress release and financial freedom. For people who struggle to qualify for traditional financing due to low income or low credit scores, HEIs provide access that simply doesn’t exist elsewhere.
Q7. If a homeowner had 60 seconds with you before signing a deal, what three direct, non-marketing questions should they ask? Which red flags should make them walk away?
Michael. 3 Questions:
- What percentage of my future home value am I sharing?
- How is that value calculated over time?
- How does this compare to a loan or refinance in my situation?
The biggest red flag when making a major financial decision is a lack of transparency. Make sure you know exactly how the agreement is structured. If the answers aren’t being provided, then walk away!
Q8. Can you share a real-world example (without breaching privacy) where using home equity creates strategic financial leverage for a homeowner?
Michael. One homeowner came to us after unexpected medical challenges led to rising debt, a significant drop in credit score, and in risk of losing their home. Traditional options, such as refinancing or securing a HELOC, weren’t available to her, but she was determined to get back on a stable financial footing. We helped her to pay off her debt, create breathing room in her budget, and start rebuilding her credit with the goal of refinancing down the road.
In another case, a couple had taken on a high-interest HELOC that carried difficult monthly payments. They were looking for a way to alleviate the pressure without taking on additional monthly expenses. Splitero helped pay off their HELOC and other outstanding debts, all without adding a new monthly payment.
A common theme we see among homeowners is the need for financial flexibility, stability, and a path forward, and we’re proud to help them achieve that.
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