The Ins and Outs of Home Equity Loans Home equity loans are a popular choice for homeowners who want to borrow money using their home as collateral. A home equity loan is a type of loan where the borrower receives a lump sum of money that is secured by the equity they have built up in their home. This type of loan is often used to fund home improvements, pay off debt, or cover other major expenses. How Home Equity Loans Work Home equity loans are a type of second mortgage, meaning they are in addition to the borrower's primary mortgage. The amount that can be borrowed is based on the amount of equity the borrower has in their home. Equity is the difference between the current value of the home and the amount of money still owed on the mortgage. For example, if a home is worth $300,000 and the mortgage balance is $200,000, the homeowner has $100,000 in equity. Home equity loans typically have fixed interest rates and are repaid over a set period of time, usually between five and...