Should I pay cash or take a mortgage for my first home?

If you have the funds, cash means full ownership, no interest, faster closing (~2-4 weeks) and often a 3-5% developer discount. A mortgage keeps cash liquid for emergencies and other goals but adds interest (roughly 3.5-4.2% fixed in early 2026). For most first-timers a mortgage is normal - just keep a reserve rather than going all-in.