Family Values

The nation's median home price has doubled since 1993, to $212,800. In the case of younger buyers getting help from their parents in the form of shared equity deals, the parent typically makes a 20% down payment so the buyers can qualify for a conventional 30-year, fixed rate mortgage.

The parents eventually will get back their initial stake plus 10% to 50% of any profits. In many of these arrangements, the younger people occupying the house make the mortgage payments and take the tax deduction.

Negotiations will determine whether one party or another will pay the property tax or whether that cost will be shared.

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