Keep the stocks or have no mortgage?

If I have enough money in stocks and mutual funds to pay off my house should I? Is it better to keep the stocks, which are gaining at a higher rate then the interest on the mortgage, and get the mortgage tax deduction OR is it better to sell the stocks and have no mortgage - and no more investments outside of my retirement and deferred comp accounts?

This depends on your current interest rate on your home mortgage. If your stock return is higher than your mortgage then you should keep your investments. Remember your money should double every 7-10 years if invested properly.

Keep the investments - and the mortgage deductions!

but be safe with the investments - you can't afford to gamble.

If I were you, unless you're planning on being in that house when you retire, I'd keep the investments. Most people don't stay in a house for longer than five years. Why would you pay off a mortgage only to sell it a few years later?

I guess it would depend on your age and your tax situation. If you end up paying more in income tax every year and need more deductions or if you are just paying the bank more and more money when you don't need to be.
I don't have a mortgage but I'm retired and we paid off all our bills a while back. It's wonderful not to have any bills but I don't have to work any longer. You've heard the old adage about having to spend money to make money? It still holds true. There is no free ride in this life for most of us and that has always held true for me...

I bought my house for tax reasons.