Shared Equity Mortgages
When a family member or friend helps a person make a down payment on a new home, most like a shared equity mortgage will be requested. Shared equity mortgages are agreements between two parties when money will be exchanged for equity in the property. Commonly seen between parents and children, this type of arrangement is popular as the person lending the money benefits when the home increases in value. Typically, the lender receives a percentage of the home price when the home is resold as well as a percentage of the capital gain. The only downside is this comes with the risk of the borrower foreclosing, not living up to the agreement or depreciation.
Young adults often look to shared equity mortgages when they are unable to obtain a fixed-rate mortgage. If parents are able to help the children, this gives them some ownership. Unlike a simple loan, this not only helps the child obtain a property, it is an investment for the lender.