Core Viewpoint - The perception of desirable housing among wealthy individuals is shifting, with a growing interest in older walk-up apartments over modern elevator buildings, driven by factors such as cost efficiency and location advantages [3][5][46]. Group 1: Price and Value - Walk-up apartments are generally 15%–30% cheaper per square meter compared to elevator apartments, allowing buyers to purchase more units for the same investment [7][10]. - For instance, in Guangzhou's Tianhe District, the average price for elevator apartments is 60,000 yuan per square meter, while walk-up apartments are priced at 42,000 yuan per square meter, resulting in a potential savings of 1.8 million yuan for a 100 square meter unit [7][9]. Group 2: Hidden Costs - Walk-up apartments typically have lower shared area percentages (10%–15%) compared to elevator apartments (25%–30%), resulting in more usable space for the buyer [14][16]. - A 100 square meter walk-up apartment may provide 85–90 square meters of usable space, while an elevator apartment may only offer 70–75 square meters, leading to significant cost differences [16][18]. Group 3: Holding Costs - The monthly property management fees for walk-up apartments range from 0.5 to 1.8 yuan per square meter, while elevator apartments can cost between 2.5 to 4 yuan per square meter, leading to substantial savings over time [20][22]. - Additionally, elevator maintenance and replacement costs can be significant, with many elevators requiring replacement after 15–20 years, which adds to the financial burden for owners of elevator apartments [22][24]. Group 4: Location Advantage - Many walk-up apartments are located in prime urban areas, built during periods of city expansion, making them highly desirable despite their age [26][30]. - For example, 90% of walk-up apartment complexes in Shanghai's inner ring are within 500 meters of subway stations, providing significant commuting advantages compared to newer developments in suburban areas [28][30]. Group 5: Rental Returns - Walk-up apartments tend to offer higher rental yields compared to elevator apartments, making them more attractive investments [32][34]. - In Shanghai's Jing'an District, a 60 square meter walk-up apartment priced at 3 million yuan can generate a monthly rent of 6,000 yuan, yielding a return of approximately 2.4%, while a similarly located 80 square meter elevator apartment priced at 6 million yuan yields only 1.4% [32][34]. Group 6: Future Value Enhancement - The ongoing renovation of old neighborhoods and the installation of elevators in walk-up buildings are expected to increase their value significantly, with government subsidies available for such improvements [40][44]. - For instance, after an elevator was added to a building in Beijing's Chaoyang District, the price per square meter increased from 28,000 yuan to 32,000 yuan, a rise of about 14% [44].