Home equity loans are a great way for homeowners to borrow additional money by pledging their home as collateral against the loan. Borrowers who need a reasonably large sum of cash or who don't have great credit often turn to home equity loans.

Lenders tend to view a home equity loan as fairly safe - you can't hide your home if you default on your loan, so the lender stands a good chance of collecting the collateral. And with your home on the line, you'll likely be pretty sharpish with your payments.

Home equity loans are great for a couple reasons:

• They are relatively easy to qualify for

• You can get a quite large loan

• They can have lower interest rates

Why Should you use a Home Equity Loan?

People tend to use home equity loans for larger expenses, such as:

• College education

• Consolidate higher interest rate debts

• Buy an investment property

• Remodel the family home

Risks of A Home Equity Loan

Home Equity Loans can be great for a lot of purposes, but they aren't foolproof. The main risk is you could lose your home if you don't meet your payments.

Another risk is if you got your loan through a less than scrupulous lender who wants to get their hands on your house. Be careful who you do business with - if they are putting high pressure tactics on you, then walk away.

More Tips

Make sure that a home equity loan is your best fit, think about your other options. Can a simple credit card accomplish the same use as a home equity loan, but without the risk of losing your home? Also take into account your budget, and ensure that you don't overburden yourself. Consider taking out mortgage insurance in case something goes wrong.