Using a credit card may be better in some ways because at least it is unsecured debt. 

It's also amazing how unsecured some of these properties are, we can go look at a property and I'll go into the backyard and my husband jokes that he half expects me to come walking out the front door...unlocked bulkhead doors, windows, back doors, etc.

Non USPS items are delivered to the addressee's  front door (which has unsecured access),  Thanks for the question.

Further, an opened notice from the DMV in this tenant's name related to driving under the influence of alcohol was on the floor, and an unsecured Smith and Wesson handgun was sitting on the bedside table.

That would be just as big a mistake on their part as it was for you to lend on an unsecured basis.    

Unsecured loans cannot be used for down payments.

Sorry; they left the front door unlocked and while the place was unsecured all remaining items were stolen.Although your tenants have TOLD you to use the security deposit for damages (and did they pay rent this month?)

It wrecked me at the time mentally since I'd never so much as paid a late fee on anything the first 35 years of my life, but in hindsight it was smart having that money unsecured. 

@Juan AlvarezGo out and get an unsecured business line of credit before you need it.

Peer to peer financing is just and unsecured loan backed through people - we used prosper.com.