stay low. Some declines are projected to hit by the end of 2006, but growth rates will still be in the double-digits.

Analysts are also worried about the continued rise in California real estate prices, while wages in the state remain stagnant. Less people may be able to afford homes, and this may shrink

The home equity loan trends in California are very reflective of the overall success of home equity as an industry in the United States. The market is becoming very ideal as more and more lenders are lowering their interest rates, and more and more people are availing of home equity loans.

The home equity lending business in California is booming. In fact, in 2004, more than one million people (1,199,829 to be exact) availed of the loan. The trend is especially popular in the Orange County area, where more than 120,000 individuals took advantage of the low interest rates and liberal approval. California home equity lending companies lent a total of $129.8 billion during the year averaging a little over little over $108,000 per loan.

Analysts expect this trend to continue, and if it does, the loan count will grow at about 6.8 percent annually, and total amount lent will grow by about 22 percent. Even the average loan size may increase by about 14 percent.

Conservative analysts expect some bumps on the road, but they won't be enough to derail the home equity lending industry. California borrowers may see a slight rise in short-term interest rates, but long-term rates - the bulk of the business - is likely to stay low. Some declines are projected to hit by the end of 2006, but growth rates will still be in the double-digits.

Analysts are also worried about the continued rise in California real estate prices, while wages in the state remain stagnant. Less people may be able to afford homes, and this may shrink

y lending business in California is booming. In fact, in 2004, more than one million people (1,199,829 to be exact) availed of the loan. The trend is especially popular in the Orange County area, where more than 120,000 individuals took advantage of the low interest rates and liberal approval. California home equity lending companies lent a total of $129.8 billion during the year averaging a little over little over $108,000 per loan.

Analysts expect this trend to continue, and if it does, the loan count will grow at about 6.8 percent annually, and total amount lent will grow by about 22 percent. Even the average loan size may increase by about 14 percent.

Conservative analysts expect some bumps on the road, but they won't be enough to derail the home equity lending industry. California borrowers may see a slight rise in short-term interest rates, but long-term rates - the bulk of the business - is likely to stay low. Some declines are projected to hit by the end of 2006, but growth rates will still be in the double-digits.

Analysts are also worried about the continued rise in California real estate prices, while wages in the state remain stagnant. Less people may be able to afford homes, and this may shrink

equity lending companies lent a total of $129.8 billion during the year averaging a little over little over $108,000 per loan.

Analysts expect this trend to continue, and if it does, the loan count will grow at about 6.8 percent annually, and total amount lent will grow by about 22 percent. Even the average loan size may increase by about 14 percent.

Conservative analysts expect some bumps on the road, but they won't be enough to derail the home equity lending industry. California borrowers may see a slight rise in short-term interest rates, but long-term rates - the bulk of the business - is likely to stay low. Some declines are projected to hit by the end of 2006, but growth rates will still be in the double-digits.

Analysts are also worried about the continued rise in California real estate prices, while wages in the state remain stagnant. Less people may be able to afford homes, and this may shrink

age loan size may increase by about 14 percent.

Conservative analysts expect some bumps on the road, but they won't be enough to derail the home equity lending industry. California borrowers may see a slight rise in short-term interest rates, but long-term rates - the bulk of the business - is likely to stay low. Some declines are projected to hit by the end of 2006, but growth rates will still be in the double-digits.

Analysts are also worried about the continued rise in California real estate prices, while wages in the state remain stagnant. Less people may be able to afford homes, and this may shrink

stay low. Some declines are projected to hit by the end of 2006, but growth rates will still be in the double-digits.

Analysts are also worried about the continued rise in California real estate prices, while wages in the state remain stagnant. Less people may be able to afford homes, and this may shrink - though not severely - the home equity loan market. But this trend is not likely to dent the already well-founded industry. Lending companies are relying on the time-tested formula they have always used - talk to people about how they can profit from the loan window, and they will avail of it.