Note: This thread is not about Stocks vs Real Estate. It's about mortgages and whether they make any economic sense whatsoever. The question is, if you were to invest the money you spend on monthly payments, would you be better off?
"Invest" here is not limited to stocks!
Personally I invest in both stocks and real estate [undeveloped plots].
Biggest surprise from this thread: People imagining a 25% annual return is "mythical". What would one be doing in wazua if their target is 12%? You need wazua(ns) to make 12%? Eish!!!
Never count on making a good sale. Have the purchase price be so attractive that even a mediocre sale gives good returns.