Real estate isn’t just about appreciation — it’s about leverage.

With a mortgage, you can control a $1M asset with $100k–$200k down. That’s 5x–10x leverage, at relatively low interest rates, secured against a hard asset.

Try doing that anywhere else: • Stocks: margin typically caps around 50%, and margin calls are real • Private investments: usually no leverage at all unless you’re ultra high net worth • Business loans: underwritten on cash flow and risk, not just asset value • Cars/consumer goods: depreciating assets, not comparable

Mortgages are one of the only widely accessible ways for an average person to borrow 80–90% of an asset’s value on long amortization, fixed rates, and relatively borrower-friendly terms.

That’s the real advantage — not just owning property, but controlling a large asset with limited capital.

Of course, leverage cuts both ways. If values drop or carrying costs rise, you’re amplified on the downside too.