The biggest fee with home equity loans is interest. But just as with first mortgages, the hidden or unrecognized fees are the real pain. To take out a home equity loan or HELOC, borrowers are assessed closing costs including attorney fees, title search, document preparation and insurance, property appraisals, application fees. Depending on the loan borrowers may also incur annual maintenance fees, or transaction fees for HELOCs. Finally, fees may also be assessed in case the balance of the loan is paid before the term is up.