An equity agreement, often referred to as a shareholder agreement or a shared equity agreement, is a legal contract that defines the relationship between a company and its shareholders. It specifies the rights, duties, and protections of shareholders, as well as the operational procedures of the company.
A company provides you with a lump sum in exchange for partial ownership of your home, and/or a share of its future appreciation. You don't make monthly repayments of principal or interest; instead, you settle up when you sell the home or at the end of a multi-year agreement period (typically between 10 and 30 years).
Home equity sharing may also be wise if you don't want extra debt reflected on your credit profile. "These agreements allow homeowners to access their home equity without incurring additional debt," says Michael Crute, a real estate agent and operations strategist with Keller Williams in Atlanta.
Taking equity out of your home can be risky because it involves borrowing against the value of your property. This means you are increasing your debt and potentially putting your home at risk if you are unable to repay the borrowed amount.
Under tenancy in common, when a tenant in common passes away the shares that belong to the dead owner pass to heirs under the laws of Minnesota inheritance. Unlike with a joint tenancy, the tenants in common do not have a right of survivorship in the shares owned by the deceased.