Some lenders offer No Cost Home Equity Loans, where the lender picks up the tab for the closing costs of the loan. This includes title fees, underwriting fees, processing fees, and other normal loan fees. Many times with this type of loan, the appraisal has already been done on a 1st mortgage closing simultaneously, so the appraisal fee is also not needed. Other times, the property triggers a property inspection waiver, which means the lender doesn't require an appraisal.

When you purchased your home did you use combo financing? If so then you may already have a home equity loan as the smaller second mortgage. Combo financing is commonly used to avoid paying non-tax deductible Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI.