Buying a Ferrari With Your Home Equity Loan: a Good Thing or Bad Thing?

The option's always there, so why not enjoy it? Because you're a homeowner -- and a reliable one at that -- that home equity loan is right at your fingertips, and you have every right to use the funds to get whatever you want in terms of disposable goods and services. Believe it or not, though, there's actually some benefit to shelling out that loan money (only to have to pay it all back) on stuff you may not really 'need' (like a Ferrari, for example) --

Your Interest Will Be Deducted for Your Home Equity Money

Fairly fun reason to buy that high-priced car, or boat, or maybe a brand-new beachfront summer home! All that cash you shell out would look nice on your 2-hour tax return, no doubt, and needless to say, that's a great reward for your hard work in maintaining your mortgage payments right down to the day, every month, every year.

Pay close attention to the slight negatives, though, and it may be a big one (depending on your health)

Watch Out for Medical Bills and Other Emergencies

You've seen the deal regarding emergencies, especially with credit cards. The problem with getting hit hard on the unexpected front is that, lo and behold, you're still saddled with this one home equity loan for your zero-down home from H.O.P.E. to Own that you have to pay off, thinking, "oh, man, if I only had these funds to pay for my heart surgery or Lasik!" It's unfortunate.

Even worse, you might have that Ferrari traded in (or out of commission due to an accident you had because of your bad eyesight since you didn't get that Lasik surgery), and you're as healthy as a horse -- and you'll still have those equity home loan payments to make until you're all caught up. That's where a loan doesn't seem so fun to have!

Just Be Prepared

That 'free' money matters so much, so do enjoy it -- to an extent. Maybe you don't need the Ferrari. Who knows. But just know that the home equity loan is there -- for anything you want! And that, my friends, might be a good thing or bad thing as well.