Equity loans were developed to help homeowners up the equity on their home in order to make profit, or else take out another loan on the home. Home value goes up each year, making the home worth more everyday that it exists. Homes equity then is the total worth of the property, minus the amount the homeowner is paying on the home.
Equity loans then are borrowed cash and the homeowner puts up collateral, which in most cases is the home. There are advantages of taking out equity loans, especially if the borrower is in debt and needs cash to pay off his home. The collateral, however, is the garnishing product if the borrower cannot repay his mortgage. In other words, if the borrower fails to make payment on the equity loan, then the bank can repossess the home.
Thus, the strategy for homeowners is to borrow cash by taking out an equity loan to lower the monthly mortgages. Few homeowners may pay $600 per month on their mortgage; and if they find the right lender, they will take out an equity loan to repay $180 per month. The reduction is great, but what the homeowner is doing is taking out a 30-year term loan, paying less than $200; thus the homeowner is literally...