The long-held belief that owning a home is a key life goal in urban India is facing scrutiny, particularly from Chartered Accountant Nitin Kaushik. He highlights that in cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru, the financial logic behind purchasing a home is questionable. Kaushik points out that while rental yields hover around 2.5% to 3%, home loan interest rates exceed 8.5%, creating a significant gap that undermines wealth creation for many buyers. He emphasizes the hidden costs associated with home buying, including a 6% spread and 5% to 7% in stamp duty and registration fees, which can leave buyers at a financial disadvantage from the outset. Kaushik argues that banks have rebranded long-term liabilities as dreams, misleading consumers about the true nature of home loans. He suggests that renting, such as a ₹40,000 monthly rent for a 2BHK, while investing the difference from a ₹70,000 EMI, could yield better financial outcomes. Ultimately, he believes home ownership should only be considered if property values increase faster than borrowing costs.