Also called an "equity loan" or a "second mortgage," a home equity loan is a line of credit secured by your home. When you use this credit line to buy something, the financial institution giving you the line of credit places a second mortgage loan on your home until the debt is paid off. Once the credit line is paid off, it may again be used to buy something else. The interest rate on such loans is usually lower than on standard second mortgages or credit cards. Like any mortgage, if a home equity loan is not paid off, your home may be sold to satisfy the debt.