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"Ripped off" may be too strong as it implies intent - I'm hopeful it's just bad logic.

I would say better agreements would be:

• You own the condo 100% and borrow the remaining 75% through a private mortgage from them. They get made whole when you sell or refinance the condo.
• You keep just a 25% stake but don't pay back a loan. They effectively just bought a 75% stake in the condo. You can decide whether you should also split the taxes and fees or just pay it all out of appreciation for their assistance.

Borrowing money from family/friends is always risky. If you and your parents are comfortable with the situation and can reliably keep records of how much is owed at any given time (and how much of the $500/mo is interest) then the loan might be a good option. If not, and your parents don;t need the income stream from the loan, then I would recommend the second option since it's much cleaner.

In any case, make sure everything is in writing and the proper legal procedures are followed (just as if you had borrowed the money from a bank). That means either filing a mortgage with the county for option 1 or having both parties on the deed, and having the ownership percentages in writing.

"Ripped off" may be too strong as it implies intent - I'm hopeful it's just bad logic or terminology.

I would say better agreements would be:

• You own the condo 100% and borrow the remaining 75% through a private mortgage from them. They get made whole when you sell or refinance the condo.
• You keep just a 25% stake but call the $500 "rent" instead of a "loan payment". They effectively just bought a 75% stake in the condo and are charging you rent (ideally at 75% of market rent). You can decide whether you should also split the taxes and fees or just pay it all, with an equivalent reduction in rent.

Borrowing money from family/friends is always risky. If you and your parents are comfortable with the situation and can reliably keep records of how much is owed at any given time (and how much of the $500/mo is interest) then the loan might be a good option. If not, and your parents don't need the income stream from the loan, then I would recommend the second option since it's much cleaner.

In any case, make sure everything is in writing and the proper legal procedures are followed (just as if you had borrowed the money from a bank). That means either filing a mortgage with the county for option 1 or having both parties on the deed, and having the ownership percentages in writing.

"Ripped off" may be too strong as it implies intent - I'm hopeful it's just bad logic.

I would say better agreements would be:

• You own the condo 100% and borrow the remaining 75% through a private mortgage from them. They get repaid when you sell or refinance the condo.
• You keep just a 25% stake but don't pay back a loan. They effectively just bought a 75% stake in the condo.

Borrowing money from family/friends is always risky. If you and your parents are comfortable with the situation and can reliably keep records of how much is owed at any given time (and how much of the $500/mo is interest) then the loan might be a good option. If not, and your parents don;t need the income stream from the loan, then I would recommend the second option since it's much cleaner.

In any case, make sure everything is in writing and the proper legal procedures are followed (just as if you had borrowed the money from a bank). That means either filing a mortgage with the county for option 1 or having both parties on the deed, and having the ownership percentages in writing.

"Ripped off" may be too strong as it implies intent - I'm hopeful it's just bad logic.

I would say better agreements would be:

• You own the condo 100% and borrow the remaining 75% through a private mortgage from them. They get made whole when you sell or refinance the condo.
• You keep just a 25% stake but don't pay back a loan. They effectively just bought a 75% stake in the condo. You can decide whether you should also split the taxes and fees or just pay it all out of appreciation for their assistance.

Borrowing money from family/friends is always risky. If you and your parents are comfortable with the situation and can reliably keep records of how much is owed at any given time (and how much of the $500/mo is interest) then the loan might be a good option. If not, and your parents don;t need the income stream from the loan, then I would recommend the second option since it's much cleaner.

In any case, make sure everything is in writing and the proper legal procedures are followed (just as if you had borrowed the money from a bank). That means either filing a mortgage with the county for option 1 or having both parties on the deed, and having the ownership percentages in writing.

"Ripped off" may be too strong as it implies intent - I'm hopeful it's just bad logic.

I would say better agreements would be:

• You own the condo 100% and borrow the remaining 75% through a private mortgage from them. They get repaid when you sell or refinance the condo.
• You keep just a 25% stake but don't pay back a loan. They effectively just bought a 75% stake in the condo.

Borrowing money from family/friends is always risky. If you and your parents are comfortable with the situation and can reliably keep records of how much is owed at any given time (and how much of the $500/mo is interest) then the loan might be a good option. If not, and your parents don;t need the income stream from the loan, then I would recommend the second option since it's much cleaner.

"Ripped off" may be too strong as it implies intent - I'm hopeful it's just bad logic.

I would say better agreements would be:

• You own the condo 100% and borrow the remaining 75% through a private mortgage from them. They get repaid when you sell or refinance the condo.
• You keep just a 25% stake but don't pay back a loan. They effectively just bought a 75% stake in the condo.

Borrowing money from family/friends is always risky. If you and your parents are comfortable with the situation and can reliably keep records of how much is owed at any given time (and how much of the $500/mo is interest) then the loan might be a good option. If not, and your parents don;t need the income stream from the loan, then I would recommend the second option since it's much cleaner.

In any case, make sure everything is in writing and the proper legal procedures are followed (just as if you had borrowed the money from a bank). That means either filing a mortgage with the county for option 1 or having both parties on the deed, and having the ownership percentages in writing.