21.   A fair bill would put a limit on the amount of home equity that could be protected from creditors.

22.   A hike in the funds rate would quickly translate into higher rates for home equity loans.

23.   A home equity loan could work well to pay off your personal debt and help your tax situation to boot.

24.   A home equity loan usually has a fixed rate and a set repayment schedule.

25.   A number of resources are available for debt holders who are considering a home equity loan.

26.   A reverse mortgage converts home equity into cash with no repayment for as long as borrowers live in their homes.

27.   Aames is in the very profitable but risky business of selling non-conforming mortgages and home equity loans that let people pay off credit cards and other loans.

28.   Borrowers are refinancing not just mortgages, but all kinds of debt, from home equity to credit cards to auto loans.

29.   But even with these advantages, financial advisers say homeowners should be cautious and ask questions, of themselves and their lender, before borrowing against home equity.

30.   But Frenze noted that conventional measures of personal saving are imperfect because they leave out capital gains on securities and home equity.