In 2018, an investor purchased a trap of 198 square meters in Xiamen Island, with a unit price of 75,000 yuan and a total price of 14.85 million yuan. At that time, he paid a down payment of 40%, which was 5.94 million yuan, and the remaining 8.91 million yuan was paid off through a 20-year equal principal and interest loan, with a monthly payment of approximately 56,000 yuan.

In the first two years, he felt a tremendous financial pressure, with most of his monthly salary going towards loan repayments. However, by the second half of 2021, the transaction prices for similar units in the same community had risen to 95,000 yuan per square meter, resulting in an unrealized profit of nearly 4 million yuan. At that time, he considered whether he should sell, but he took a "let's wait for more appreciation" mindset and did not take action.

Unexpectedly, starting in 2022, housing prices began to decline. As of now, the agent's quoted price has dropped to 55,000 yuan/square meter, with a total price of only 10.89 million yuan.

Calculate specifically: By 2025, after 7 years of repayment, the remaining principal is about 7.1 million yuan. If sold now, the 7.1 million yuan loan must be paid off first, then deduct about 5% in taxes (approximately 540,000 yuan), resulting in final available funds of only 3.25 million yuan.

Looking back over the past 7 years, the owners have invested a total of 10.64 million yuan (including a down payment of 5.94 million yuan and monthly payments of 4.7 million yuan), but ultimately they could only recover 3.25 million yuan. Now, in the community owner group, those owners who did not sell at that time have fallen silent. The monthly payment of 56,000 yuan still needs to be paid, while renting out the house can only earn a maximum income of 13,000 yuan, meaning an additional out-of-pocket expense of 43,000 yuan each month.

Faced with such a situation, homeowners do not know what to do. Will housing prices continue to fall? How much will the decline be? Should they reluctantly let go or continue to hold on? These questions linger in the minds of every homeowner, causing confusion and anxiety.

This story reflects the complexity and unpredictability of the real estate market, and it reminds us to be more cautious and comprehensive in our considerations when making significant investment decisions.