Which term describes a financial commitment that supports both lender and property owner?

The term that describes a financial commitment supporting both the lender and the property owner is collateral. Collateral refers to an asset that a borrower offers to a lender to secure a loan. In the context of real estate, the property itself typically serves as collateral for a mortgage. This arrangement benefits the lender because it provides a form of security; if the borrower defaults on the loan, the lender has the right to take possession of the collateral to recover their losses. At the same time, it supports the property owner by allowing them access to financing for purchasing or refinancing the property. This mutual benefit makes collateral a critical concept in financing agreements.

Other terms, such as chain of title, commingling, and chattel, refer to different concepts related to property ownership and financial transactions but do not encapsulate the idea of a financial commitment that supports both parties in the same way. Chain of title focuses on the ownership history of a property, commingling pertains to the mixing of funds, and chattel refers to personal property rather than real estate or the financing arrangement associated with it.