A house loan or home loan simply means a sum of money borrowed from a financial institution or bank to purchase a house. Home loans consist of an adjustable or fixed interest rate and payment terms.

People generally take a home loan for either buying a house/flat or a plot of land for construction of a house, or renovation, extension and repairs to the existing house.

The property is mortgaged to the lender as a security till the repayment of the loan. The bank or financial institution will hold the title or deed to the property till the loan has been paid back with the interest due for it. The interest rates for home loans can be fixed or floating, or partly fixed and or partly floating, suiting the needs of the borrower. There are also certain tax benefits available on your home loan under the Section 80EE of Income Tax Act. However, the Income tax deduction can be claimed on home loan interest by first time home buyers only.