Cash or Credit? [The Real Estate Edition]

By Mike Earl, CFP®, CPWA®

By Mike Earl, CFP®, CPWA®

Mortgage rates are once again at their lowest point in US history:

The perennial question we get from clients is whether to own their home with cash or keep a mortgage long-term. “If I can earn 7%, 8%, or even 9% annually from my investment portfolio, don’t I want as much money invested as possible?”

Mathematically, this is true. If you can borrow money at 2% (against an appreciating asset) and invest money at 7-9%, it’s a good deal. Right? 

Maybe.

Our never-changing advice is always to get 100% of your debt paid off as quickly as possible. 

Our advisors here at TWG love stock investing as much as anyone, so we get the intrigue of keeping low-interest-rate debt to keep more money invested. Yet that does not keep us from simultaneously seeking to pay off our mortgages as quickly as possible. The most widely-viewed blog post we’ve written was the story of team member Adam Colby being mortgage-free by age 43.

Every team member here either has zero mortgage debt or is in a 10-year or 15-year mortgage. Most of us are paying extra on our mortgages to get them paid off even faster. My wife and I are currently refinancing into a new 10-year mortgage, with a goal of paying some extra on that to become debt-free sooner.

Here are our 5 additional thoughts on owning real estate with 100% cash:

1) The danger with low mortgage rates is the temptation they bring to stretch your budget (and I am not personally immune to this temptation!). By taking on a 10-year or 15-year mortgage, your perception of “affordable” shifts, as the monthly payments on those loan terms are much higher than on a 30-year. Some of our clients find a middle ground in a 20-year mortgage.

Think of new vehicle purchases, where dealers will often offer interest-free financing. If I’m earning 8% in my investment portfolio, why not finance 100% of my vehicle purchase — thereby enabling me to keep all of that money working and earning in my portfolio?

It’s because I’m better off in a $35,000 vehicle (paid for with cash or even partially financed) than a $70,000 vehicle that is financed at 0%. The key here is not letting the financing become a distraction from total dollars spent. This is particularly true with a depreciating asset like a vehicle, but the logic holds with real estate, too.

2) It just feels good to not owe money to anyone. 

The psychological benefits of being 100% debt-free are real — and they are worth a lot. 

3) Begin with the end in mind. 

Most of our clients aim to have no mortgage in retirement. If that’s your goal, why not get there as quickly as possible? We have advocated in the past for getting your mortgage paid off by age 45.

And if that is not your goal, why not refinance into a new 30-year mortgage every few years — for the rest of your life? 

4) Having zero mortgage debt puts you on the fast track to building a meaningful after-tax investment account. 

One of the top predictors of wealth creation is having sizable assets invested in an after-tax investment account (also referred to by the following terms: non-qualified account; brokerage account). The best way to build such an account is to have no mortgage. When you have no mortgage going out each month, you have that extra cash available to invest $1,000 – $3,000 (or more) per month into an after-tax investment account.

5) Cash-flow is king. 

By eliminating your mortgage payment, you have one less fixed, recurring outflow each month. This means your monthly spending is lower. And when your monthly spending is lower, you are able to keep more money invested in your portfolio. During your accumulation years, no mortgage means adding more each month to your portfolio (see #4 above). During your distribution years (retirement), you are able to draw less each month off your portfolio — leaving more money in your portfolio to grow.

The Wealth Group is here to help our clients be able to make their debt-free scream — as quickly as possible. To schedule a quick 15-minute call with me to discuss your finances, click here.

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Jamy Antoine

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

I’ve been a business owner, investor, and entrepreneur for over 21 years. Well over a decade ago, my wife and I had a significant net worth for our age. However, much of it was built on leverage – similar to Dave Ramsey – if you are familiar with his story.

My wife and I have been clients of The Wealth Group since 2006. Austin designed a plan that we followed for a few years, but due to my entrepreneurial nature, I eventually deviated from that plan and pursued whole life “bank on yourself” insurance, real estate, and other ventures.

While there certainly is a place for diversification, I’ll never forget the day Austin Colby – owner of The Wealth Group – sat us down and explained that although we looked pretty good on paper, mathematically, it was a house of cards. I remember walking out of that meeting feeling like someone had punched me in the gut. Hindsight and regret can be painful, but can also motivate new habits, behaviors, and attitudes toward money. The Wealth Group helped change my core beliefs about money and my family’s financial future. Remember, it is never too late to start making good decisions.

Ten years later, not only has our financial situation changed dramatically, but I’ve also joined The Wealth Group team using my business and personal finance experience to help business owners, entrepreneurs, affluent individuals, and motivated young families build and expand their financial future on solid footing, by holistically and proactively addressing all aspects of finance to include investing, tax, giving, estate and legacy planning.

I am happily married with four children. I serve on the deacon board at our church, and I have a life goal of becoming a scratch golfer!


— Jamy

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Education/Designations

  • BS – Maranatha Baptist Bible College. Pre-Med
  • DC – Doctor of Chiropractic – NWHSU  
  • FICPA – Fellowship International Chiropractic Pediatric Association
  • BCN – Board Certification Neuropathy – American College of Physical Medicine

Jaron Kissner

Financial Advisor

“In my early 20’s, I read a personal finance book for the first time. The contents of that book opened my eyes and sparked a passion in me that transformed the financial trajectory of my family. Fast forward a few years, and that passion led me to change my career path and become a financial planner.

I feel blessed to be a part of The Wealth Group and work with a very talented, high-quality team of people. I can’t think of work that is more rewarding and impactful than being able to help our clients and their families achieve their financial goals!”

— jaron

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Education/Designations

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and minor in Christian Studies from North Central Universit

Personal Interests

Jaron married his lovely bride, Jennifer, in 2016. Since then, they have added three children to their family: Vivienne (2019), Graham (2021), and Cooper (2023), as well as a Golden Retriever named Penny. They settled into their first home in Jordan, MN in 2021. As a family, they enjoy spending time with family and friends, visiting relatives in AZ, hiking, and being on the lake. They are also very involved at River Valley Church in Chaska, where Jaron and Jennifer serve as deacons.

Jaron has recently become passionate about the game of golf and is striving to break 85. He also enjoys working out and watching the Vikings as they find new ways to lose NFC Championship games.

Paige Heltemes

financial advisor

“I have always had an interest in personal finance. Having a plan and setting goals for your financial life enables you to accomplish things that otherwise would never be possible. A thousand small steps in the right direction can lead to a life of stability and ability—The Wealth Group exists to help plot that course and keep our clients on track.”

— PAIGE

Even as a young adult, keeping her finances in order and planning for the future has allowed Paige to experience wealth as a blessing rather than a stressor. She wants people to know that same freedom, especially when life gets complicated. 

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Education/Designations

  • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and minor in Christian Studies from North Central University

Ben Thorson

financial advisor

I enjoy helping our clients make good decisions with their money. It’s rewarding to watch our clients build wealth with us at their side. When I see a young family cross the $1 million net worth mark — after starting with our team with a net worth of $200,000 — it’s an awesome feeling.

As our clients continue to focus on the things they can control, such as paying down debt and adding money to their investment portfolio year after year, I have noticed that it becomes easier to stomach the (inevitable) bear market. Over my time at The Wealth Group, I have learned that good financial behaviors never go into a recession.

When I’m not at The Wealth Group I enjoy spending time with my wife and three children. Together we like to be outdoors, play sports, and be active participants at our church.

— Ben

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Education/Designations

  • Graduated from North Central University with a Bachelor of Science degree.
  • Accounting experience at CH Robinson in Eden Prairie.

 

Misty Tanner

Senior Client Services Associate

“I am passionate about my work because I think it is important to make wise, informed decisions with our finances as it permeates into all aspects of our lives. Just as people strive to maintain balance in their overall lives, financial wellness and understanding in your personal life is just as important. ”

— Misty

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Education/Designations

  • B.S. in Business Administration in Sports & Fitness, Minor in Bible & Theology
  • Certificate in Coaching

Karie Merritt

partner, Director of Client Services

“I have realized there are so many people in the world today who are unsure of how to save or plan for the future. They live paycheck to paycheck and think debt is normal. We get to help people realize that there’s a different way to live. We get to help people who feel hopeless finally find a clear path for the future while taking control of their finances for the first time. When people are proactive rather than reactive, it’s amazing what can be accomplished. 

— Karie

Karie’s main role is managing the onboarding process for new clients. She works hard to ensure a seamless transition and to make all clients feel welcome and cared for. As the Director of Client Services, she oversees the Client Services team, plans client events, processes monetary transfers, handles paperwork for clients and helps to manage the day-to-day operations of the office.

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Education/Designations

  • AA in Liberal Arts & Sciences from North Hennepin Community College
  • BA in Early Childhood Education and Teaching from Concordia University St. Paul
  • Notary Public

Dan Johnson, CFP®

PARTNER, Financial planneR

“I love being able to see and contribute to the confidence in the families we help when they know they are taking the correct steps towards financial independence. I truly enjoy building relationships with people. The work I do with The Wealth Group gives me the opportunity to do this by building a relationship that will last a lifetime.”

— Dan

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Education/Designations

  • Graduated from North Central University with a degree in Business Administration.
  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

 

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™, and CFP® in the U.S.

Adam Colby, CIMA

PARTNER, CFO, FINANCIAL PLANNER

“I love working alongside the people at The Wealth Group. Additionally, my younger brother (and now boss) and I have wanted to work together for years. When the opportunity arose within The Wealth Group I jumped at the chance. I have always had a passion for personal finance and investing; the transition into this investment-focused role was a natural one for me.”

— ADAM

Developing and stress-testing the firm’s asset allocation models is a passion of Adam’s.  You may often find him assessing risk metrics for client portfolios and the broader global markets as well as trading and rebalancing client portfolios.

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Education/Designations

  • CIMA®
  • BA (Business Major/Math Minor) from Dakota State University

Investments & Wealth Institute TM (The Institute) is the owner of the certification mark “CIMA” and “Certified Investment Management Analyst.” Use of CIMA and/or Certified Investment Management Analyst signifies that the user has successfully completed The Institute’s initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for investment management professional.

Mike K. Earl, CFP®, CPWA®

PARTNER, DIRECTOR OF WEALTH MANAGEMENT

From childhood, I was strongly interested in working hard, making money, and most importantly, saving money. Today, I use that passion to empower our clients to succeed with their money. A lot of people experience unnecessary stress and anxiety in their financial lives.

After college, I worked in a large bank and began investing on my own for the first time. I remember plugging numbers into a Roth IRA Calculator and realizing the power of compounding from an early age. I was amazed at how [seemingly] easy investing was…not realizing that bear markets are what make investing challenging. A few years into my career as a financial advisor, the Great Recession (2007-2009) hit, and I gained a lot of crucial experience in a short period. 

Those lessons from the Great Recession will stick with me for the rest of my life. I learned not to over-extend myself on real estate, to never sell out of stocks during a bear market, the power of being 100% debt-free (including no mortgage), and also the opportunities in stocks that arise from the ashes of a deep bear market.

Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” We aim to be those counselors that provide knowledge and safety for our clients. 

A good financial advisor should have the heart of a teacher. Through our relationship, we aim for our clients to grow in knowledge and mastery over their finances. We want them to be the driver of their financial plan, with us as their sidekick/coach to help them realize their plans and goals.

I have been quoted as a financial expert in Fox BusinessU.S. News & World ReportYahoo! NewsGOBanking RatesLifehacker, and Business Insider.

More important than my role at The Wealth Group is my position as a redeemed son of God, husband to Krista, and father to five children.

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Education/Designations

  • BS in Business/Economics from Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL
  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®)
  • Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA®)
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™, and CFP® in the U.S.

Paul M. Bennett, CFP

Sr. Financial Planner

“I want people to succeed at life and that includes guiding them to achieve sound money management. I enjoy helping individuals and businesses make beneficial decisions in regards to money and investment management. Long range planning is one of my professional passions and moving people from the thought of retirement to the reality of retirement is something I enjoy assisting our clients with.” 

— Paul

Paul has more than 25 years of experience advising business owners and affluent individuals about their finances. Paul has achieved the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. Being a CFP® professional enables him to help clients focus on what is important to them. He has also earned the Chartered Retirement Plan Counselor (CRPC®) designation, which demonstrates his expertise in the area of retirement financial planning for individuals.

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Education/Designations

  • BS in Finance from Minnesota State University, Mankato
  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
  • CRPC® (Chartered Retirement Plan Counselor)
  • CKA® (Certified Kingdom Advisor®)

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™, and CFP® in the U.S.

Austin B. Colby, MBA, CFP®

Owner / Sr. Financial Planner

“I believe every family can achieve their financial goals if the path to do so is clear. This work of building paths and guiding clients along those paths is my passion, and it brings me tremendous joy. After twenty years of doing this, I am more excited today than ever about helping families with their finances. Helping one family at a time make good choices makes a difference. I believe that wholeheartedly and am thankful for the opportunity to serve so many people in this capacity.”

— Austin

Austin is the owner and visionary behind The Wealth Group. His #1 responsibility is to lead our team in devotion to the mission: providing quality financial planning and investment management to the firm’s clients.

Favorites

Education/Designations

  • BS from Minnesota State University, Mankato – Finance with an emphasis in Financial Planning
  • MBA from Minnesota State University, Mankato – Leadership & Organizational Development
  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™, and CFP® in the U.S.