Two more companies are now offering an alternative way to turn the equity in your home into cash, known as a shared-appreciation agreement or equity release, which is most frequently used by homeowners retired or approaching retirement. Under these agreements, a cash advance of typically 10 to 15 percent of the homes value is given by the investment company in turn for a stake — 50 percent in one company’s agreement — in the future appreciation of the home. Some experts warn that given the recent decline in home prices, these agreements could give borrowers a bad deal if the home’s value shoots up in the next few years.