hi,

i like the discovery to the fact that a housing loan can double up the house initial value if taken to the max.
there're some good online calculators out there that help you see the amortization(the spread of money you pay/contribute to the loan) each month/year.

i don't know if you guys would agree with me.. if you're buying:
1. rental properties.. i'd go with the leverage idea and take a healthy loan (of course, due diligence is crucial as you don't want to end up on a loss each month after all cost are deducted)

2. own-stay property.. i'd go for the highest equity build-up, meaning i'd secure the least loan possible. well, here's the rationale.. if you think you have an investment/business that can consistently.. (when i mean consistent, it's something that you have to go year in, year out till the maturity of your loan) that can outstrip the annual interest cost that comes with the housing loan.. then you may want to apportion that fund/money accordingly.

the chances are.. imho, having a continuous 10% return for 30 consecutive years can be a bit unrealistic. and if you noticed, you'd pay the highest amount of interest to the monthly loan amount within the first 1-5 years of your loan duration..(so by the time you complete the lock-down period.. the bank should've sent you a thank you card for putting money in their pocket first)

that was why someone(an author) did quote that an 'own-stay' house is a liability.. (not an asset).

on a positive side.. if you went for full cash purchase.. any appreciation to the house, is already a positive capital gain for you.. since you don't have to apportion the cost of interest on a housing loan.. your capital gain comes close to nett value.

on the issue of MRTA.. do shop around as some banks make is as a compulsory to have a MRTA to go with the loan.
besides life insurance(which carries a higher cost).. an alternative is a term insurance..