What are margin loans?
What are margin loans?
Sources:
Margin loans can be explained with a reference to the discussion on M1 Borrow, a feature mentioned by Jonathan Mendosa on the ChooseFI. Margin loans involve borrowing money based on the value of your investment portfolio. In the context of M1 Finance, you can borrow up to 35% of your portfolio's value quickly, with interest rates typically lower than traditional lending options like Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs).
For example, M1 Finance offers rates around 3.5%, which could be reduced further with M1 Plus memberships, making it an attractive option compared to average HELOC rates around 5.38% 1.
However, both Brad Barrett and Jonathan Mendosa emphasize the importance of not borrowing money to reinvest due to the inherent risks involved 1. This cautious approach underscores the potential dangers of margin loans and highlights their suitability primarily for short-term cash flow needs or debt consolidation rather than speculative investment.