Group 1 - The enthusiasm of Chinese citizens for real estate is well-known, with many eager to purchase homes as soon as they save enough for a down payment, linking homeownership to residency, education, and marriage [1] - The future value retention potential of stairway apartments versus elevator apartments should be analyzed from multiple aspects, including location advantages, higher usable area in stairway apartments, and lower shared costs [3][5] - Recent discussions have emerged regarding which type of apartment will retain value better in the coming years, with some industry insiders predicting that elevator apartments may have an advantage due to their convenience, especially for families with elderly members [4] Group 2 - Stairway apartments typically have a lower shared area percentage (around 15%) compared to elevator apartments, which can be as high as 25% or more, leading to higher costs for elevator apartment owners [3][5] - Although elevator apartments offer convenience, they may have longer wait times during peak hours, and in emergencies like earthquakes or fires, stairway apartments provide safer and quicker escape routes [7] - The difficulty of demolition is higher for elevator apartments due to their greater height, making stairway apartments easier to manage in terms of future maintenance and potential demolition costs [7]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the economic pressures faced by homebuyers due to high property prices and emphasizes the importance of housing in various life aspects, predicting that "staircase houses" may have greater appreciation potential compared to "elevator houses" in the long term [1]. Group 1: Advantages of Staircase Houses - Public area advantage: Staircase houses typically have a public area ratio of only 10-15%, significantly lower than elevator houses, which can reach up to 40%, leading to substantial savings on public area costs and monthly property fees [3]. - Safety and emergency response: While staircase houses may be less convenient for daily use, they offer better safety during emergencies like fires or earthquakes, allowing residents to escape directly without relying on potentially malfunctioning elevators [3]. - Old renovation potential and location advantage: Staircase houses over 20 years old are likely to undergo significant renovations, enhancing their appeal and value, especially given their advantageous central locations [5]. Group 2: Cost and Future Potential - Property fee cost advantage: The property fees for staircase houses are generally lower than those for elevator houses due to the maintenance costs associated with elevators, making staircase houses more financially attractive [5]. - Possibility of demolition: Staircase houses have a higher likelihood of undergoing renovations compared to elevator houses, which are less likely to be demolished due to high costs associated with their dense occupancy, thus presenting better future appreciation potential [7]. - Long-term investment value: Despite the current advantages of elevator houses in terms of convenience and community environment, staircase houses exhibit more significant long-term investment value due to their advantages in public area ratios, safety, renovation potential, property fees, and demolition likelihood [7].