A reader brought to my attention a company called Noah (formerly Patch Homes) which offers an alternative to the Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC). What they offer is a way of tapping into your home’s equity for needed cash in return for a percentage of your home’s equity — reportedly between 15 and 40%. You don’t pay for this “loan.” Rather, Noah shares in your home’s appreciation (or loss of value) when you sell.
While I don’t consider Noah’s offer a scam, I think it should only be considered as a last resort. In the long run, a HELOC is a much better way to access the equity in your home, and credit unions are the best places to secure such a loan, in my experience. Here’s a third-party review of Noah’s “equity sharing” concept.
Jim Smith's Blog 