Should you use retirement funds to buy a house? Borrowing from a 401(k) to buy a house can be a bad move. More in today’s Real Estate Minute.

If you have to borrow money from your 401(k) or other retirement accounts to fund your down payment – don’t do it – it’s just not worth it.

I know you might feel desperate when you’re scraping together cash for your down payment, but I can’t recommend raiding your retirement accounts to get it. Remember: You can borrow money for a house but no one will lend you a dime for your retirement.

If you do borrow from your retirement funds, make it a small percentage and pay it back within a few years with interest. You also should keep putting money into your 401(k) until you max out.

The bottom line: look elsewhere for cash before you tap your retirement accounts. If you have to risk your future to pay for a house, it’s not the right house.

Check out our other posts to help you as we rebuild America, one house at a time.