Core Viewpoint - The traditional belief of "debt-free is carefree" in home buying may lead to significant missed investment opportunities and financial losses in the modern financial context [1][11]. Group 1: Interest Cost Analysis - Full payment for a property priced at 2 million yuan results in no interest payments, appearing to be a stress-free option [3]. - In contrast, a 30-year loan with a 3.1% interest rate leads to a total repayment of approximately 2.152 million yuan, including 752,000 yuan in interest, which is nearly half of the principal [3]. Group 2: Opportunity Cost - The opportunity cost of paying 2 million yuan in cash includes the potential investment returns that could have been generated over 30 years [4]. - If the 1.4 million yuan cash (after a 30% down payment) is invested at a conservative annual return of 5%, it could grow to approximately 6.05 million yuan over 30 years, representing a potential gain of 4.65 million yuan [4][5]. Group 3: Inflation Impact - Inflation acts as a natural ally for borrowers, as the fixed monthly payments become less burdensome over time due to rising incomes and decreasing purchasing power [5]. - Full payment buyers lose the opportunity to leverage inflation to dilute their debt, as they pay in today's more valuable currency [7]. Group 4: Cash Flow and Risk Management - Full payment can lead to a fragile financial structure, as it ties up most liquid assets in a single property, making it difficult to respond to emergencies or seize investment opportunities [8]. - Loan buyers retain more disposable cash, providing a safety net for unexpected situations and allowing for investments in education, health, or other opportunities, enhancing financial resilience [10]. Group 5: Reevaluation of Home Buying Perspectives - For most families, opting for a long-term loan with manageable interest rates (below 5%) and investing available cash wisely is a more prudent financial strategy [11]. - The psychological comfort of full payment comes at the cost of significant opportunity loss and reduced financial flexibility, suggesting a need for a shift in traditional home buying beliefs [11].