There are more and more British homeowners taking out home loans than ever before - the records from the first quarter of this year found that there has been an 85% increase in homeowner loan applications*. This may be due to rising mortgage rates and soaring personal debt - home loans are the perfect debt consolidation tool. Or it might be due to the slowing of house purchases - more people than ever are choosing to renovate rather than move, and home loans are a great vehicle for funding work on your home. So if you're in debt, looking to improve your home or looking to invest elsewhere, home loans can help.

Whatever you need some cash for, if you have the equity in your home, you can be sure of home loans as the best way to get hold of it. And the term, the amount and the payback method are all on your terms. So if you need a loan for two months or 10 years, for £1000 or £100,000 there will be a home loans lender out there for you.

And because these home loans are your money, it's down to you how they are packaged together. You can choose from several rates - fixed, which means the rate remains the same throughout the term or even tracker, which changes when the Bank of England rises or drops the base rate. There are also other options, including variable rates and discount rates. However you want to pay back your home loans, you can find a product that fits - because secured lenders have realised over the years that it takes flexibility and choices on their part to make sure of a happy and content borrower.

With it being your money means you can decide how to spend home loans - whether you need to pay off debts, consolidating them together for an easy life, you can with secured loans. And because second mortgage rates are lower than unsecured debt, home loans mean saving money in the long-term.

Or if you want to improve your property with renovation, restoration, extension or decoration there couldn't be a better way to fund it. And because home improvements add to the value of your home, meaning home loans for improvements can be the only loan around that actually makes you money.

The best person to turn to for home loans is a broker. A broker is able to source intermediary-only deals, special loans that are created for niche borrowers - self certificated, sub prime or even commercial loans. But also they will be able to advise you how best to spend, save and invest your money so as your home loans do not become a burden. Secured loans are a great way to push forward, personally and financially, but only with planning advice and a sensible outlook. Your home's equity is not bottomless, so use what you have wisely with home loans.

*MoneyExpert.com, March 2008