Should you pay off your mortgage fast like Dave Ramsey says?

Should you pay off your mortgage fast like Dave Ramsey says?

Now, don’t get me wrong—when Dave talks, people listen. He’s like that uncle at Thanksgiving who bangs the table and says, “If you just do this one thing, your life will change forever.” And for a lot of families drowning in credit card debt, his advice works like magic.

But here’s where things get interesting. Back when I first made a video about this, rates were sitting at a beautiful 2.5%. I told my buddy, “Why would you pay off that mortgage? That’s the cheapest money you’ll ever borrow.” To me, paying off a 2.5% loan early was like selling a Ferrari because you didn’t want to pay for gas. Sure, you’ll save a few bucks, but you just lost your ride.

Fast forward to 2025. Interest rates are now hovering around 6.5%. And suddenly, Dave’s advice doesn’t sound so crazy. At that rate, your mortgage isn’t exactly cheap gas anymore—it’s more like premium fuel that makes you wince every time you fill the tank.

So here’s the real talk:

• If debt keeps you up at night and you want peace of mind, pay off your mortgage. Sleep better, worry less.
• If you’re an investor who knows how to find deals and squeeze returns, chances are you can still beat 6.5% in the market. But it takes skill.
• Florida folks like us need to be extra careful. This market moves fast, and tying up every dollar into paying off debt might mean missing that next golden deal.

I even had a buddy who took the middle road. He threw a little extra toward his mortgage each month (just to keep Dave Ramsey off his back) and used the rest to buy rentals. That way, he got both peace of mind and growth. Not a bad combo.

The point is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Dave’s way works if your goal is safety and simplicity. The investor’s way works if you can handle some risk and know your numbers.

For me? I’m always going to lean toward growth, but I’ll admit—at 6.5%, you’ve got to think a little harder before making your move.

If you want the full deep dive with examples and math (don’t worry, I keep it simple), check it out here:
https://graystoneig.com/articles/should-you-pay-off-your-mortgage-fast-like-dave-ramsey-says-a-florida-investors-perspective