Real Estate History Facts from Past Markets
Did you know? In the early 1900s, Sears sold entire homes through their mail-order catalog. Customers could choose from various models, and Sears would ship all the necessary materials—lumber, nails, plumbing fixtures, and more—directly to the buyer's location. These "kit homes" were then assembled by the homeowners themselves or local builders. Over 70,000 of these homes were sold between 1908 and 1940, and many are still standing today across the United States
Did you know? In 17th-century Manhattan, the entire island was famously "purchased" from Native Americans by the Dutch for goods worth about 60 guilders—roughly $1,000 today!
Did you know?
Mortgage Rates Through the Decades!
Did you know? Mortgage interest rates have had a wild ride over the past 50 years — and today’s rates still sit within historical norms (even if they don’t feel like it!).
Here’s a look at how 30-year fixed mortgage rates have changed every decade:
📆 1975 – ~9%
📆 1985 – ~12.5%
📆 1995 – ~8.5%
📆 2005 – ~5.9%
📆 2015 – ~3.9%
📆 Today (2025) – ~6.9–7.3%*
(*varies slightly by lender and credit profile)
🤔 So… Are Rates High Right Now?
Compared to 2020–2021 lows of 2.5–3%, yes — it feels like a leap. But compared to the double-digit insanity of the ‘80s, we’re still in historically reasonable territory.
💡 Investor Insight:
Even at today’s rates, real estate remains a powerful wealth builder thanks to:
Rent income offsetting interest
Property appreciation
Long-term refinancing potential
Tax benefits like mortgage interest deductions
📉 Pro Tip: You marry the house, but date the rate. Lock in the right property, and you can always refinance when rates dip again.
Did You Know?
The average U.S. home price has increased nearly 8x over the last 40 years.
Here’s a quick look at the numbers:
📆 1985 – Avg. home price: ~$82,000
📆 1995 – Avg. home price: ~$113,000
📆 2005 – Avg. home price: ~$240,000
📆 2015 – Avg. home price: ~$294,000
📆 2025 – Avg. home price: ~$400,000+ (and climbing in many markets!)
Despite ups and downs—like the 2008 crash and recent rate hikes—real estate has proven to be a long-term wealth builder. Prices tend to rise with inflation, demand, and development.
📈 Bottom line: Those who bought and held real estate through the decades have seen significant gains—not just in property value, but in rental income and equity growth.
Did you Know?
How The Government Shaped the Housing Market!
Did you know that one of the biggest influences on the housing market over the last 50 years has been government policy—not just interest rates? Click the text links to for more information about acts or to visit program websites.
➡️ In 1977, the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) pushed banks to lend more in underserved communities, expanding homeownership across lower-income neighborhoods.
➡️ In the 1990s and early 2000s, government-sponsored enterprises like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac helped make mortgage credit more widely available—some say too available, which contributed to the 2008 housing crash.
➡️ Post-crash, Dodd-Frank (2010) tightened lending rules, slowing risky lending but also making it harder for some to qualify for a mortgage.
➡️ During COVID-19, the CARES Act included mortgage forbearance and eviction moratoriums, dramatically impacting both landlords and tenants nationwide.
💡 So while prices and demand may fluctuate, the government's hand has always been on the scale—shaping who buys, who qualifies, and how the market grows.