Borrowing to Invest in Property, Shares or Funds - The Definitive New Zealand Guide

Our guide explains the complexities of leveraging home equity for property and borrowing to invest in shares and funds. We explain each approach's associated risks and costs, potential benefits and drawbacks.

Updated 15 November 2023

Summary:

Many New Zealand homeowners frequently explore the potential of their home equity, contemplating its use in investments such as property, shares, and various funds. However, borrowing for investment purposes isn't straightforward, and many hidden risks exist.
Given the costs associated with borrowing have escalated with the OCR reaching recent highs, the pathways to profitable investments are less clear-cut than before which leaves returns far from guaranteed regardless of what you plan to invest in.
This comprehensive guide explains critical information for anyone considering borrowing for investment purposes. Our guide outlines why one might borrow to invest in property or shares, how to effectively borrow, the advantages and disadvantages involved and common questions surrounding this investment strategy.

This guide is separated into three distinct sections:

Each section has specific sections detailing the characteristics, risks, top things to know and the pros and cons of borrowing against each type of equity.

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh shares a Financial Risk Warning for Anyone Considering Borrowing to Invest

"While leveraging your home equity to invest in properties, shares, or funds may seem appealing, it's essential to tread cautiously. Several risks cannot be understated:

Market Volatility: The New Zealand property and global share markets are unpredictable. Investments can depreciate, leaving you with less value than your initial borrowed amount, but the amount borrowed still needs to be repaid.
Margin Calls: If you're using borrowed funds for investments like shares, a margin call can force you to repay the loan at possibly the worst time, amplifying financial strain.
Debt Accumulation: Borrowing increases your debt burden. If investments don't deliver expected returns, you might struggle to repay the loan, risking your financial stability. If your home is mortgaged, you could lose that if you cannot make sufficient repayments on the amount borrowed.

Before You Borrow:

Understand the Terms: Loans come with specific terms and conditions. Know them inside out.
Evaluate Your Financial Situation: Assess if you can handle the potential financial stress, and don't underestimate the downsides of any expected return.

Remember: Investing with borrowed money can magnify gains, but losses can be equally amplified. This strategy isn't for everyone and can lead to significant financial ruin if not managed carefully".

Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder

Looking to borrow to invest in your business? This guide is not for you

This guide has been written in the context of anyone looking to borrow and invest rather than their small or medium-sized business. If you own or run a business considering financing options to fund operations and growth, check out our relevant business financing and leasing guides here:

Business Loans:

Business Financing:

Borrowing to Invest Broadly - An Overview Explaining How it Works

Borrowing to invest, also known as leverage, is the process of using borrowed money to purchase assets such as ETFs, shares or property to generate a higher return on investment.
Investors can use this strategy to increase their buying power and potentially earn larger returns on their investments. This type of borrowing is usually done through margin or property loans (second mortgages), and the investment is typically used as security for the loan (known as collateral). Margin loans are predominantly used to invest in shares.

There are several ways that investors can borrow to invest:

Option 1. Margin Loan

A margin loan is a loan secured against the value of the assets that are being purchased. If the assets decrease in value, the investor will be required to add more money to the loan or sell some of the assets to ensure they stay above a specific equity amount (known as a maintenance margin). Margin loans can be obtained from various financial institutions, including banks, brokerage platforms (such as ASB Securities) or other lenders. For a more detailed breakdown of margin loans, check out some of our other guides that touch on margin here:

Option 2. Personal Loan

Another way investors can borrow to invest is through a personal loan. Personal loans aren't secured against any specific asset and can be used for any purpose. However, due to the non-collateralised nature of the loan, the application process and requirements you'll have to meet to get this loan are likely to be far more stringent than a margin loan or mortgage (both of which require security).

Additionally, the terms and conditions are likely more aggressive if you default or fail to meet an interest payment. Finally, the interest rate on a personal loan will likely be far higher than the typical rates you'd expect to pay on margin loans or mortgages (again, due to the non-collateralised nature of a personal loan). Our guide to personal loans outlines the best offers from banks, non-standard lenders, and finance companies.

Option 3. Home/Useable Equity Loan

Borrowing against your home equity is a loan that allows the borrower to access a certain amount of money against the useable equity in their home. You'll pay a specific set of interest on the amount borrowed and pay it down following a payment schedule.

If you intend to purchase an investment property with a home equity loan, the property you buy will usually be collateral for the loan. A common example of New Zealanders taking out home equity loans is when they take out a second mortgage on their family home to purchase an investment property (which we'll show an interactive example below).

Why Would You Want to Borrow to Invest? Rewards, Risks and Must-Know Facts

Borrowing to invest offers the potential of financial benefits for anyone comfortable with taking the risk, including:

1. Increased buying power

Borrowing gives investors more money to invest (increased buying power). By borrowing money to invest, investors can purchase more assets than they would otherwise be able to with their own money alone, potentially leading to a larger return on investment.
Additionally, borrowing to invest allows investors to take advantage of market opportunities they might not have been able to capitalise on with their funds.

2. Diversification

By borrowing money to invest in different types of assets, investors can spread their risk across multiple investments rather than relying on a single investment to generate returns.
Additionally, borrowing to invest can also be used to invest in assets that may not be easily accessible to investors with limited funds.

3. Tax benefits

There have been changes in the tax deductibility of interest on property investments and rentals. We expect the policy to change again following the October 2023 general election and will update this section when the tax policy is clear.

As with any investment strategy, there are risks associated with borrowing to invest. It's important to note that borrowing to invest is a high-risk strategy, and investors must weigh the potential gains against the potential risks.

1. Larger losses and an increased chance of ruin

The more you borrow, the more you can lose. One major risk is that the assets purchased will decrease in value, resulting in accelerated losses for the investor due to the increased starting amount of assets thanks to leverage.

2. Risk of a margin call

One drawback is that if the assets purchased have a decrease in value, the investor might be required to add more money to the loan or sell some of the assets to meet the margin requirements set by the lender. This situation can result in the investor incurring significant losses.

3. Interest costs on borrowings

Another risk is that interest rates may increase, making it more difficult for the investor to repay the loan and leaving them with less money to invest. Additionally, if the investor cannot make their loan payments, they may be forced to sell their assets at a loss, resulting in a double loss. Additionally, if interest rates increase to an unaffordable level, there is a risk of repaying the additional interest on the loan - this Stuff.co.nz article from May 2023 explains the costs faced by property investors with interest rate rises.

Before making any decision about borrowing, our list of facts is a must-read to further explain the risks and misconceptions:

1. Borrowing money does not guarantee great returns

Leverage doesn't inherently improve the risk/reward of investment. It only amplifies the gains or losses. Like all investing, borrowing to invest only makes sense if the return after tax exceeds all the costs of the investment and the loan. Otherwise, it can be a high-risk investment for a low or negative return.

2. Interest rates on borrowings can be a silent killer and will whittle away any other returns you get from leverage

Interest rates on borrowed money (especially from brokerage platforms like ASB Securities and Tiger Brokers) can fluctuate, so investors should be prepared to adjust their investments accordingly. Additionally, the interest costs associated with borrowed money will chip away and reduce any investment return you get. Therefore, borrowing to invest may not be as lucrative as many New Zealanders think it is.

3. Margin loans and borrowing against home equity are very risky

It's important to note that margin and investment property loans are high-risk investments, and investors should be fully aware of the risks and terms of the loan before deciding to pursue this strategy. Additionally, one of the biggest risks of borrowing to invest is a margin call (which is far more common when borrowing against share equity than home equity).

Frequently Asked Questions When Borrowing to Invest

The risks associated with borrowing to invest cannot be underestimated, especially in relatively high interest periods. The common questions below are published to help explain the options and risks.

Can I borrow to invest in any type of asset?

Yes, investors in New Zealand can borrow from various sources (home equity, brokerage platforms, banks) to invest in various assets, including ETFs, individual shares, and property.

Is there a limit to how much I can borrow to invest?

Generally, yes, but it will depend on the source of your borrowings. For example:

Home Equity: Banks may limit the amount of home equity you can pull out of your current property depending on how much "useable equity" you have. Further, some banks may decide to adjust the amount of equity they'll allow you to take out depending on their current risk frameworks (which are generally set by both the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and the bank itself).
Equity/Margin from Share Investing Brokerages: Many brokerage firms (such as Tiger Brokers) will have certain types of accounts (such as margin or portfolio margin accounts) that allow you to borrow against your existing equity in your brokerage account. However, the amount you're able to borrow will vary depending on the correlation of your existing portfolio positions, the type of account you have, the underlying volatility of the asset you want to buy and the current risk framework set by the brokerage platform.
Know This: Generally, margin accounts in New Zealand allow you to borrow up to 2X leverage (1:1 equity to borrowed amount) and portfolio margin accounts allow you to borrow up to 6.67X leverage (0.15:1 equity to borrowed amount). Most of these rules and regulations are set by US financial regulatory bodies. Few New Zealand-domiciled brokerage platforms will allow you to borrow on margin to invest in shares.

More details:

Tiger Brokers Review
ASB Securities Margin Lending

Can I lose more than my initial investment when borrowing to invest?

If the assets purchased have a decrease in value, the investor might be required to add more money to the loan or sell some of the assets to meet the margin requirements set by the lender. However, in the context of margin loans, most of the time, the brokerage that offered you the additional money to invest will automatically close out your positions if your total equity falls below a certain threshold (known as a margin call) to ensure that the brokerage receives the full amount they've loaned out, meaning you're unlikely to "owe more" than what's in your brokerage account.

This means the answer is 'yes' - where you need to post more collateral not to get margin called. Still technically speaking, the brokerage platform will automatically sell your holdings. Unlike short selling, borrowing to invest means your losses are likely capped at your initial investment. However, this doesn't mean that you won't take substantial losses. For a detailed breakdown of short selling, check out our guide.

Can I borrow to invest in foreign assets?

Yes, investors in New Zealand can borrow to invest in foreign assets, but it's important to consider the currency risk and other potential risks associated with investing in foreign markets. Investors should also be aware of any tax implications that may apply to foreign investments, such as Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) tax.

Can I borrow against my home equity to invest in real estate?

Yes, you can borrow against their home equity to invest in investment properties. However, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) has regulations in place, such as the loan-to-value ratio (LVR) limit for residential property investors, to ensure that borrowing to invest in real estate is done safely and responsibly. Generally, this LVR restriction means you'll need at least a 40% deposit in most circumstances. Additionally, the amount you can borrow against your home equity will vary depending on the "useable equity" the bank allocates from your existing home. We get into further detail on this scenario below.

Can I borrow to invest in term deposits?

Yes, you can borrow (either from a bank or brokerage platform) to invest in term deposits. However, it's important to note that term deposits typically have lower returns than other types of investments and that if your investment return from investing in term deposits isn’t greater than the cost of borrowing (interest rate), it’s not worthwhile to borrow in the first place. Generally, finding term deposits that pay higher than the cost of borrowing is near-impossible in New Zealand.

How can I mitigate the risk of borrowing to invest?

Managing the risk of an investment loan is essential when borrowing to invest. The following tips can help minimise the risk and protect investors from large losses.

Shop around for the best loan: Instead of going with the loan offered by the lender or trading platform, investors should compare different options to find the best loan that offers the lowest interest and fees or the best features.
Don't take out the maximum loan amount under LVR rules: Borrowing less than the maximum amount offered by the lender can help reduce interest repayments and potential losses. Additionally, staying away from the 80% LVR hard cap provides you (and the bank) flexibility if you run into any issues with repayments or income.
Pay the interest costs on time: Making interest repayments will prevent the loan and interest payments from increasing each month.
Have cash set aside: Having an emergency fund or cash that can be accessed quickly can help avoid selling investments if cash is needed quickly.
Diversify your investments: Diversifying investments can help to protect investors if a single company or investment falls in value.

By following these tips, investors can minimise the risk of an investment loan and increase their chances of success in the long run.

Borrowing Against Home Equity to Invest in Property

New Zealand has become a house-investing economy and many homeowners borrow on their homes to buy another. However, it's not without its risks as this must-read section explains.

What is 'useable equity'? How can I tap into useable equity to buy another property?

Useable equity is a way for investors to buy an investment property without having a large sum of cash to use as a deposit. Anyone with equity in their existing home can fund the deposit for an investment property without needing to save for another deposit. Using useable equity works by taking out a new loan (second mortgage) secured against your primary home. This loan is then used as the deposit to get another secured loan against the new investment property.

For example, if a bank will allow an individual to borrow an extra $200,000 against their primary home, another bank will usually lend up to $800,000, secured against the new investment property (assuming the property is worth more than $1 million). This second mortgage gives the individual a total of $1,000,000 to invest in another property without having to use any cash set aside, only using the equity they've built up through paying down their mortgage on their primary home.

What is home equity? How can I use my home equity to buy an investment/rental property?

Home equity is the difference between the value of your home and the amount you owe on it. It's the portion of your home that you own.
There are two ways to build equity:

Increasing the value of your home through market changes or home improvements
Paying off the principal or reducing the credit limit of your home loan over time.

Using the equity in your existing property to purchase a rental property is one way to start an investment portfolio without saving a large deposit. Using your home's equity to buy a rental/investment property is a possible option for some, as it involves borrowing against the equity in your current property and using it as a deposit for an additional property.

However, you need to have built enough “usable equity” in the property (either through the value of your home increasing or paying off the mortgage) to warrant a bank/lender providing you with a second mortgage.

How do I calculate useable equity?

To calculate useable equity, you can use the Loan to Value Ratio (LVR) restrictions set by the Reserve Bank. Under these restrictions, an individual can borrow up to 80% of their home's value. Most banks only have a certain percentage of their "mortgage book" that they can loan at LVRs above 80%, although, depending on the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's rules and regulatory framework, these rules are subject to change.
Generally, investor loans have stricter requirements than owner-occupier loans as they're considered higher risk. Currently, a 40% deposit is required, and high LVR loans (loans that exceed 60% of the property's value) are limited to 5% of the bank's total new investor lending.
On the other hand, owner-occupier loans require a 20% deposit. In addition, high LVR loans (loans that exceed 80% of the property's value) are limited to 10% of the bank's total new owner-occupier lending.
For example, if an owner-occupied home is worth $1,000,000 and they don't hold a mortgage, the owner will generally be able to borrow $800,000 against it. Any borrowing above $800,000 would push the owner's LVR on the family home above 80%, which most banks are unlikely to approve, given the current 20% limit on new owner-occupied lending.
However, most homeowners wouldn’t be able to borrow the full $800,000 for an investment property if they already have a first mortgage secured against that property.

Taking the above example, if instead, the homeowner's home had a $400,000 mortgage against the $1,000,000 property, the individual would have a maximum of $400,000 left to use as the deposit for an investment property:

Minimum Equity Formula

The minimum equity amount that NZ Banks generally require is 20%
Minimum equity amount = 20% x $1,000,000 (property value)
Minimum equity amount = $200,000

Usable Equity Formula

Usable equity = home value - minimum equity amount - existing mortgage
Usable equity = $1,000,000 (home value) - $200,000 (minimum equity amount) - $400,000 first mortgage
Usable equity = $400,000.

Note that the above formulas are based on the current RBNZ LVR frameworks and may be subject to change

Overall:

This $400,000 is known as useable equity, as you can technically "Use it" or draw down against it to invest in something else.
Useable equity is sometimes referred to as "dead equity" because that portion of the equity in your home, while technically providing a return as your home appreciates, doesn't generate any direct return if not used for investment (though a deposit for another property).
In other words, you would be "leaving money on the table" by not tapping the useable equity to invest in another property. However, there are many caveats to tapping into useable equity (an increased risk of being overleveraged).

How can I access useable equity?

There are two ways to access useable equity in your home for investing:

1. Take out a second mortgage with the same bank provider

The first way is to go to the same bank that holds your existing mortgage. This option is the most straightforward way, where you apply for a mortgage and the bank will give you pre-approval to purchase a property up to a specific value.
The bank will likely already have all the relevant information it needs as you've already gone through the mortgage application and approval process for your first mortgage.

2. Take out a second mortgage with a different lender

Another way is to take a second mortgage with another bank or lender. Generally, this will require more effort and work as the new lender won't have the full picture of your assets/debts/financial position like your existing mortgage provider.
However, in instances where a traditional bank may not have the risk appetite to lend you a second mortgage, this can be an alternative option. Note that taking out a second mortgage with a different lender/bank will likely come at a higher interest rate as the second mortgage will likely be a "second lien", meaning they'll have a second priority to recover their funds (as opposed to the first mortgage, which is "first lien").
A second lien means the lender/bank providing the second mortgage is taking on more risk so that they may have a more stringent repayment schedule or aggressive interest rates. Given the increased risk, they may not get their money back.

What are the key risks of leveraging home equity to buy an investment property?

Several risks are involved when leveraging home/useable equity to buy an investment property:

1. Increased risk of equity getting wiped out: While your upside is increased from having two properties exposed to the housing market, the downside is also increased if the value of the properties decreases, which can lead to your equity getting wiped out faster than if you had just had one mortgage/property.

2. Increased costs to maintain a second property: If the investment property is a rental, additional costs may be, such as hiring a property manager, maintenance, or body corporate fees. The property may also have difficulty finding tenants, or the rent may not cover the mortgage. These factors mean the "unit economics" of trying to reach a cash flow neutral or cash flow positive property may be more difficult. It can put an additional strain on finances alongside inflation and the general increases in the cost of living.

3. Job loss can lead to losing one or both properties: If personal circumstances change, such as job loss or health issues, it may become difficult to make minimum mortgage payments. Therefore, it's important to consider these risks and have a plan before making such a financial decision.

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh shares a Financial Risk Warning for Anyone Considering Borrowing to Invest in Another Property

"Borrowing against home equity to invest in property is a strategy that requires meticulous consideration. This approach brings complexities, and its appropriateness depends heavily on your financial situation and long-term goals. Many property 'wealth' and 'coaching' organisations have encouraged this throughout New Zealand for years, but it has serious risks, and you can lose more than you borrow.

It's crucial to understand that you're essentially betting with your home. The implications of this move can be far-reaching. Mortgage rates, over time, can substantially increase your financial burden, especially when you're borrowing for potentially short-term gains in a fluctuating property market.

Using your equity for property investment may seem like an accessible path to growing wealth, but it's not without risks. The key is understanding the balance between the potential growth of your investment and the increase in your debt obligations.
It's essential to consider the potential returns and risks involved – such as the possibility of a market downturn affecting both your primary and investment properties.

For anyone seriously considering leveraging their home equity for property investment, I urge you to weigh the immediate benefits against your long-term financial impact and risk appetite. This decision shouldn't be made lightly".

Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder

Common Questions for Anyone Considering Borrowing Against Their Home to Buy an Investment Property

If I have a plan to have short timeframe to buy and resell; what are my options?

If the property is being bought to resell in a short time, an interest-only option may be suitable. Choosing an interest-only option can mean you pay less upfront and have an additional buffer in case unexpected costs arise (assuming you're likely to sell within 12 months of purchasing the property).

What are the top factors before borrowing against existing home/useable equity?

Before considering this option, it's important to do research, such as finding the current market value of your property, the amount you still owe the bank, the market conditions in your area, the value of the investment property, and your ability to service multiple mortgages. Additionally, considering any potential rental income that may come from the additional property is important.

Why would I borrow against my home equity/take out a second mortgage?

Taking out a second mortgage against your home/useable equity can be an excellent source of finance if you plan to start a small business, buy more investment/rental properties, or make some home improvements to increase the value of your existing home. In addition, a second mortgage can allow you to consolidate and pay off your debt at a much lower interest rate. But ultimately, whether it makes sense to borrow against your home/useable equity will depend on the attractiveness of what you're going to do with the money and whether you're in a stable enough financial position to take on additional debt and continue to meet the interest payments.

Borrowing Against Home Equity to Invest in Shares

Borrowing to Invest in Shares

When using equity for investments, people often think of property. However, it's possible to leverage the equity in your home to invest in the sharemarket. This investment could include individual shares, managed funds, ETFs, and other investment options.

As a background, some share platforms offer Equity/Margin lending (such as Tiger Brokers and ASB Securities Margin Lending) that allow you to borrow against your existing equity in your brokerage account. However, the amount you're able to borrow will vary depending on the correlation of your existing portfolio positions, the type of account you have, the underlying volatility of the asset you want to buy and the current risk framework set by the brokerage platform. This section looks at anyone considering borrowing against their home to invest in shares.

There are several advantages to using the equity in your home to invest in the sharemarket, such as:

Increasing the rate of growth in your investment portfolio through returns and dividends
Spreading out your income sources from just property to property and shares
Having access to more money and creating a larger investment portfolio than if you were only using your funds
The ability to borrow at a mortgage rate lower than the margin rates offered by share trading platforms

However, there are also potential drawbacks:

Shares are far more volatile than property: While a key benefit of shares is the ease with which you can buy and sell them, this increased ability to buy also means that they're far more volatile than property given the prices move daily.
There is a risk of larger losses: When investing in the sharemarket, it's important to remember that while returns may be high when the market is doing well, there's also the potential for bigger losses when the market is not doing as well. It's essential to consider your level of risk tolerance and understand that the past performance of shares does not necessarily indicate future returns or gains.
The ongoing obligation to repay the loan and interest even if the value of your share portfolio decreases.
The interest on the loan may decrease profits, and the interest rates may fluctuate, resulting in higher loan servicing costs (although the home loan rate will likely still be lower than a margin loan or personal loan).

While a key benefit of investing in shares is the ease with which you can buy and sell them, this increased ability to buy also means that they're far more volatile than property.

What’s a practical example of someone borrowing against their home equity to invest in shares?

Take John, who lives in Auckland, to illuminate the concept of borrowing to invest. John is a 35-year-old professional who wants to invest in shares to grow his wealth. He has a stable job and a good credit score, but he doesn't have much cash. So after researching different options, John decides to borrow against his home equity to invest in shares.

John's home is worth $900,000, and he has a mortgage balance of $300,000. This scenario means that his home equity is $600,000, which he can use as collateral for a loan. So he approached a lender and was approved for a home equity loan of $150,000.
John uses the loan to buy shares in several companies he believes have strong growth potential. He also sets up a stop-loss order to protect himself from significant losses if the shares decrease in value.
John makes regular interest payments on the loan and keeps a close eye on the value of his shares. As the shares increase in value, John's net worth also increases. He also receives dividends from the shares, which he uses to pay off the loan faster.
After several years, John's shares have grown in value by 30%, and he decides to sell them. He uses the proceeds to pay off the remaining balance of the loan and keeps the remaining cash as his own.
Overall, borrowing against his home equity to invest in shares allowed John to increase his buying power and potentially earn larger returns on his investment. However, it also involved him taking on the risk of losing his home equity if he couldn’t pay off the loan if the value of the shares decreased.

However, there is no guarantee of reward for taking the risk: Things could have easily turned the other way. In the example below, John has an unfortunate chain of events:

The Downward Spiral:

Market Downturn: Unfortunately, after borrowing on his house and investing, the market has taken a sharp downturn. The shares John invested in plummet in value, triggering his stop-loss order. However, the rapid market fall means the shares sell for far less than anticipated.
Loan Repayment Pressure: John continues to pay interest on the home equity loan, but with his investment devalued, he struggles to meet these payments as he doesn't have an increased income and now faces higher interest costs given the higher loan balance to repay.
Double Financial Strain: As the market doesn't recover quickly, John faces the dual pressure of his original mortgage and the home equity loan whereby the investment has lost a lot of value. His financial reserves are stretched thin.

The Consequences:

Loss of Equity: John's home equity and financial safety net are significantly reduced.
Personal Stress: The financial strain starts affecting John's personal and professional life.

The Final Blow:
John is forced to sell his shares at a loss to stabilise his financial situation. The proceeds are insufficient to cover the home equity loan, let alone provide any profit. He's left with a diminished net worth and a bigger mortgage to repay.

Lesson Learned:

John's story is a sobering reminder that borrowing to invest, while potentially lucrative, carries significant risks. The lure of high returns can quickly turn into a financial nightmare, especially in volatile markets. Understanding these risks and having a solid contingency plan is crucial before considering such a strategy.

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh shares a Financial Risk Warning for Anyone Considering Borrowing to Invest in Shares

"Borrowing against home equity to invest in shares can be problematic and not something to rush into. Each option in this strategy has unique intricacies, and the suitability largely hinges on one's financial circumstances and long-term objectives.

For anyone contemplating this route, it's crucial to recognise that this is essentially extending your mortgage. The long-term cost implications cannot be overlooked; standard mortgage rates can significantly and leave you borrowing long for short-term investing that didn't go in your favour.

The sharemarket, known for its volatility, contrasts starkly with the relative stability of property investments. This volatility can lead to substantial financial losses, particularly when the market underperforms.

Another critical aspect is the continuous obligation to repay the loan with interest, which remains constant regardless of the share portfolio's performance. Fluctuating interest rates as your mortgage fixes and re-fixes can further impact the cost of loan servicing. In contrast, a home loan rate is likely to be lower than a margin or personal loan interest rate but doesn't eliminate the financial risk involved.

If you're serious about proceeding, please evaluate the immediate advantages against the long-term financial implications and your personal risk tolerance. A comprehensive understanding and cautious deliberation are key to making informed decisions in this high-stakes financial manoeuvre that can quickly lose more money than it makes".

Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder

Must-Know Facts for Anyone Considering Borrowing to Invest in Shares

1. Stability is essential if you’re borrowing against home equity to invest in shares

Using your home equity to invest in the sharemarket is an option to consider after you've established yourself as a homeowner and paid off some of your mortgages. Leveraging your equity in this way can diversify your investments and build wealth. However, it's important to remember that investing in the sharemarket is riskier than investing in property.

2. Interest rates on mortgages are generally lower than other borrowing/debt options

Using your home equity to borrow money to invest may come with a lower interest rate than other options, such as credit cards or margin loans. Therefore, the first step is determining the amount of equity available for investment.

3. Consider the cost of borrowing

Before using the equity in your home to invest, it's important to ensure that you can afford the costs associated with the loan, including repaying the loan amount. It's also recommended to seek professional financial and tax advice about the potential risks and benefits of borrowing to invest.

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