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The Daily Insight Hub

What happens when real property is used as collateral to secure a loan?

Author

Matthew Harrington

Updated on January 28, 2026

Collateral may take the form of real estate or other kinds of assets, depending on the purpose of the loan. The collateral acts as a form of protection for the lender. That is, if the borrower defaults on their loan payments, the lender can seize the collateral and sell it to recoup some or all of its losses.

How do you use property as collateral?

How to Use Property as Collateral for Loans

  1. Consider the condition of the collateral.
  2. Appraise your personal property, which can include your home, car, jewelry or assets like stocks and bonds.
  3. Provide the bank with lender information or the title.
  4. Agree to repay any difference left after the collateral.

Can I borrow against my stocks?

What it is: Just as a bank can lend you money against the equity in your home, your brokerage firm can lend you money against the value of eligible stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, and mutual funds in your portfolio.

How much can you borrow against stocks?

Terms. You can typically borrow up to 50 percent of the equity in your margin account. You can use the proceeds from the margin loan to invest in additional securities through your broker, or you can take the money in cash and use it however you wish.

Can you invest with a line of credit?

If you are using money from a line of credit to invest, you will need to withdraw the amount you need from the line of credit and transfer it to your brokerage account to invest in the stock market. Like the interest charged in a margin account, the interest on a personal line of credit is at a fixed rate plus prime.

How to get a US credit card from another country?

You’ll also find tips for citizens and residents of other countries who are interested in getting a credit card from the United States. The first step in getting any new credit card is researching the types of offers available based on your credit history, your need or desire for rewards, and the total cost of using the credit card.

How to protect your credit when moving to a new country?

Keep a U.S. bank account and mailing address: It’s the best way to protect your credit at home and pay U.S. bills. Take advantage of concierge services: This little-used perk can make it easier to navigate your new country. The same credit card you use freely at home may charge you a fee for making purchases out of the country.

Can a non-US citizen apply for a US credit card?

If you are a non-citizen of the United States, establishing credit with a U.S.-based credit card can be just as complicated as a citizen traveling outside the U.S. This is because most U.S. credit card issuers require a physical address to be listed on an application, and if you have yet to move to the U.S., this requirement cannot be met.

Can a credit union repossess a used car?

For example, say someone put up a used car as collateral for a personal loan and they default on a credit card payment — that car could be repossessed to satisfy the credit card debt. In order to get a credit card from a credit union, a customer must meet membership criteria.