Using collateral on a loan is the easiest way to get yourself approved and get yourself a great interest rate, especially when compared with unsecured financing options. But how does it all work? This can be overwhelming and confusing, but it certainly doesn’t have to be. These common questions cover basic things you’re going to want to know before you start diving into the world of financing.

What is collateral? Collateral is the security you promise to your lender. It’s saying to them that if you fail to make your monthly payments, they have this as security that they can repossess to cover their losses.

What is a secured loan? This is where you offer up some form of collateral. In unsecured financing there is none. In this type of loan your property can be repossessed if you don’t make your payments each month. By having this type of security the lender feels safer, that there is less risk, in lending to you. When there is less risk lending to you companies are more likely to approve your application and are more interested in working with you.

What can you use for collateral? The short answer is anything, but the longer answer is that every company sets their own standards. Banks will mostly only work with real estate and this is the most common form of security. However this is not the only type. The second most common option is a vehicle. It’s fairly easy to find a good number of lenders who will work with a car as collateral. Less common, but still out there, are those who will work with high priced items, like collectibles or jewelry.

Can I keep using my property while it’s being used as collateral? That depends on the item being used. When you are doing real estate or a car, then you can go on using your item as normal. With other high priced collectible items, however, lenders will often hold the item until you have finished making all of your payments.

Why would I want to do this? While there is certainly unsecured financing out there, using collateral makes it a lot easier to get approval. This is important if you have something like bad credit in your history. There are more benefits beyond that, however. By making the lender feel safer that you will repay things, and taking the risk off of them, they are more happy to work with you on things like the amount of your monthly payments, and most importantly, your interest rate. Secured financing is going to have the best interest rates available for you.