Can you borrow against your investment account instead of selling your investments?

In some situations, yes.

A pledged asset line allows you to borrow against a taxable investment account without immediately selling your investments. That means you may be able to access cash, avoid realizing capital gains, and allow your portfolio to remain invested. Like any loan, it comes with risks and interest costs, so it isn’t the right strategy for everyone.

In this video, I walk through a real client example. He needed to move quickly on the purchase of 13 acres of land but didn’t want to interrupt the long-term growth of his investment portfolio by selling appreciated investments.

Instead, we discussed using a pledged asset line. Because his taxable investment account served as collateral, he was able to access the liquidity he needed without going through a traditional loan process. He purchased the property, remained invested, and avoided triggering capital gains taxes at the time of the transaction.

This strategy isn’t about avoiding debt—it’s about understanding all of your options. In the right situation, borrowing against an investment account can provide flexibility while keeping your long-term financial plan intact.

The key is making sure the benefits outweigh the risks and that the strategy fits your overall financial plan.