Digging a hole and burying money in your backyard is more advantageous than leaving it as equity in your house.
In the backyard:
1. Its liquid and immediately available.equity out of your home can takes weeks to get.
2. The sum total amount is determined and cannot dip with market fluctuationswhat if 
you need that money during a down time in the market?
3. It doesnt get more costly to if interest rates riseinterest rates are very low right now. Will they be when you want to use the equity?
4. You can use the money if you lose your jobyou wont be able to refinance in the event of a job loss.
5. It does not get more expensive if you make a mistake with your credit ratingone late mortgage payment and you could be paying considerably more to get the equity out of your home.
6. You dont lose it if you lose the houseif you get foreclosed on the bank will be very appreciative for any equity you have built up.
7. You continue to benefit from additional appreciation of the houseyour appreciation will be the same, but your leverage situation will be significantly better.
8. It doesnt get squanderedin either case.
And if this reasoning makes sense, consider the next step of investing that equity with a clear, disciplined plan and have that money steadily make more money for you. The power of compound interest is an amazing thing. Talk to a financial planner and make a plan.
– Patrick Dunn, Westwood Mortgage Inc.
patrick@westwoodmortgage.com