08/17/2026
People love to say "Back in my day, we had to put 40% down and only had 10 year mortgages!"
Yes, that part is true but the full story is way more nuanced:
✨Then (1940's - 1960s-ish)
40-50% down payments were common
Mortgages were short and stricter
Homes were cheaper overall
Fewer buyers could qualify
Years of savings before even thinking about buying
✨Now
As little as 5% down (with insurance)
25-30 year amortizations
More people can qualify
Homes are priced much higher
Debt+cost of living makes saving harder
📊Example:
THEN: $10,000 home, 50% down =$5,000
NOW: $600,000 home, 5% down = $30,000
So was it easier back then? Fewer people could buy, but prices were lower. More people can buy now, but affordability is difficult.
We weren't around for the "good old days," but we do know how to navigate today's market. If you're wondering what your options look like now, send us a message, we'd be happy to help you build a plan to get into a home.
