03/24/2026
๐ Then vs Now: The Reality of Homeownership (1980 โ 2026)
Itโs easy to say โreal estate is expensive todayโโฆ but when you actually look at the numbers, the story becomes very clear ๐
๐ก Home Prices Have Skyrocketed
Back in 1980, the average home was around $47,000.
Today, weโre looking at $420,000โ$435,000.
๐ Thatโs nearly a 9x increase
๐ผ But Wages Didnโt Keep Up
Household income grew from about $21,000 to $80,000โ$85,000.
๐ Thatโs only about a 4x increase
โ๏ธ The Real Difference: Affordability
โข 1980 โ Homes cost about 2.2x annual income
โข 2026 โ Homes cost about 5.2x annual income
๐ In simple terms:
Owning a home today is more than twice as difficult compared to before
๐ฐ What About Interest Rates?
Yes, rates in the 1980s were extremely high (13โ18%) compared to today (6โ7%).
But hereโs the key insight ๐
๐ Even with high rates, lower home prices made it easier to enter the market than it is today.
๐ง What This Means for Buyers Today
The game has changed.
Todayโs buyers are adapting by: โข Combining dual incomes
โข Using creative financing strategies
โข Planning for longer timelines
๐ก The Takeaway
Real estate is no longer just about saving money โ itโs about strategy, timing, and guidance.
If youโre thinking about buying, investing, or just want to understand your options in todayโs market, Iโm here to help you navigate it the right way.
Kaleem Farooqui
Realestate Broker
647-470-1048