I'm sorry I really don't understand your logic!!?? May I ask what will happen if your husband losses his job? What about retirement? When you retire would you still be able to rent a luxury apartment? I rather live in a small old flat when I retire, at least I have a roof over my head and don't have to worry about finding a place to rent or rent increase if I need money I can remortgage the property.
There is a difference. If you buy a property now with mortgage, the property price is likely to be higher than what you want to spend for properties in old age. Otherwise, you don't need the mortgage.
Hence after you full pay the property, even if you have no money saved, you can sell it and buy a cheaper one (the one that you would want to buy initially, in the outskirt, not so expensive). And then you would have money for retirement?