Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) provide homeowners with the ability to access the value of their homes.HELOCs offer a variable-rate second mortgage that allows homeowners to borrow against the value of their homes on a revolving line of credit.Home equity loans, on the other hand, are fixed-rate, lump-sum loans that allow borrowers to repay the borrowed amount in monthly installments.Borrowing against home equity can be used for various financial needs, including major investments and home renovations.