<prompt> Human: We are fortunate enough to be building our dream home, and even more fortunate to be able to pay for it outright rather than getting a builders loan or even a mortgage once it is built. However, Im still thinking about getting a mortgage or Home Equity Line of Credit at 337; or 437; 15 year fixed interest, then investing that money in a mutual fund for 737; or 837; returns. The idea being that the house should appreciate in value regardless, so why not put that money to work rather than just letting it sit in equity? What do you think? Is this smart? Or am I being needlessly risky?  <response>: Personally I would pay for the home and invest the money that would have gone to a mortgage payment over time. The stability of having a paid off house would be huge and appreciationreturns are not always guaranteed. 