Is buying a house really the best way to build wealth?

Not always. Buying a house can build wealth in India, but it’s not automatically the “best” way for everyone. A home is first a lifestyle decision, then an investment.

If you buy a house that you’ll actually live in for 7–10+ years, in a decent location, and your EMI is comfortable, it can be a solid wealth builder. You build equity slowly, you get stability, and rent stress goes away. But if you stretch your budget just to “own”, you may end up house-rich and cash-poor. Maintenance, repairs, taxes, society charges, and long loan interest add up, and real estate is not easy to sell quickly without loss.

For wealth building, what matters is your overall plan: emergency fund, insurance, low debt, and consistent investing. Many people build strong wealth by renting and investing the difference regularly, especially if property prices are high in their city. So no, a house is not always the best wealth tool. It’s best when it fits your life, your job stability, and your long-term staying plan. Otherwise, it can become a slow, expensive burden.