Have you received a home equity offer that seems too good to be true. Chances are it probably is. When looking at any type of large loan especially one secured on your home, care needs to be taken. Beware of any loans being offered by mail, phone or to your door by someone youve never contacted or by a company youve never heard of before. Some abusive lenders prey on low income or elderly homeowners in need of raising some cash.

Beware also of contractors offering to do home improvements for you and organizing your loan for you. You could end up with a high cost equity loan and could end up unable to make the payments, and end up having to sell your home to escape your debt.

If in doubt about where to go, ask some family and friends for advice and recommendations. You may think that because of your income and credit history that you wont qualify for a home equity loan from a bank or credit union but also contact these as they may just have a loan to suit you.

And lastly before you settle on any equity loan, shop around, you could be paying this loan off for a number of years so take your time and pick the right one that suits you and not the lender.