But with any type of home loan, you must show you have enough income to make the monthly payments. So it's virtually impossible to get one of these loans after you have lost your job. Even if your spouse works, you won't be able to borrow as much after you're down to just one income. If you think you might need to tap into the money in your home, get the loan before you get a pink slip. These allow you to borrow money from your broker, using your investments as collateral.
Interest rates are typically in the single digits.
Generally, margin loans are limited to half the value of the assets in the account, though it's best to borrow less in case your investments lose value. If the value of the account relative to the loan falls too far, the broker will issue a margin call, requiring you to put more assets into the account or to pay off part of the loan immediately. If you don't, the broker will sell some or all of your investments. Some practical steps If you have accounts with mutual fund companies that don't offer margin loans, you can transfer your fund shares to a brokerage that does. This is done by filing a form with the broker, who will contact the fund company on your behalf and arrange the transfer.