• HOME
    HOME
  • PROPERTY SEARCH
    PROPERTY SEARCH
    • DREAM HOME FINDER
      DREAM HOME FINDER
    • BERKELEY HEIGHTS HOMES
      BERKELEY HEIGHTS HOMES
    • DUNELLEN HOMES
      DUNELLEN HOMES
    • FANWOOD HOMES
      FANWOOD HOMES
    • METUCHEN HOMES
      METUCHEN HOMES
    • NORTH PLAINFIELD HOMES
      NORTH PLAINFIELD HOMES
    • NEW PROVIDENCE HOMES
      NEW PROVIDENCE HOMES
    • PISCATAWAY HOMES
      PISCATAWAY HOMES
    • SCOTCH PLAINS HOMES
      SCOTCH PLAINS HOMES
    • SOUTH PLAINFIELD HOMES
      SOUTH PLAINFIELD HOMES
    • WATCHUNG HOMES
      WATCHUNG HOMES
    • WARREN HOMES
      WARREN HOMES
    • SOMERSET HOMES
      SOMERSET HOMES
  • HOME SELLERS
    HOME SELLERS
    • HOME VALUATION REQUEST
      HOME VALUATION REQUEST
    • STAGING YOUR HOME FOR SALE
      STAGING YOUR HOME FOR SALE
    • COMMUNITY INFO
      COMMUNITY INFO
    • LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
      LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
    • NEWS FOR HOME SELLERS
      NEWS FOR HOME SELLERS
  • HOME BUYERS
    HOME BUYERS
    • LUXURY HOMES IN CENTRAL NEW JERSEY
      LUXURY HOMES IN CENTRAL NEW JERSEY
    • CONDOS & TOWNHOUSES
      CONDOS & TOWNHOUSES
    • RETIREMENT HOUSING IN NEW JERSEY
      RETIREMENT HOUSING IN NEW JERSEY
    • MORTGAGE CALCULATOR
      MORTGAGE CALCULATOR
    • LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
      LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
    • NEWS FOR HOME BUYERS
      NEWS FOR HOME BUYERS
  • ABOUT ROBIN
    ABOUT ROBIN
    • ABOUT ROBIN
      ABOUT ROBIN
    • CONTACT ME
      CONTACT ME
    • TESTIMONIALS
      TESTIMONIALS
  • BLOG
    BLOG
  • HOME
    HOME
  • PROPERTY SEARCH
    PROPERTY SEARCH
    • DREAM HOME FINDER
      DREAM HOME FINDER
    • BERKELEY HEIGHTS HOMES
      BERKELEY HEIGHTS HOMES
    • DUNELLEN HOMES
      DUNELLEN HOMES
    • FANWOOD HOMES
      FANWOOD HOMES
    • METUCHEN HOMES
      METUCHEN HOMES
    • NORTH PLAINFIELD HOMES
      NORTH PLAINFIELD HOMES
    • NEW PROVIDENCE HOMES
      NEW PROVIDENCE HOMES
    • PISCATAWAY HOMES
      PISCATAWAY HOMES
    • SCOTCH PLAINS HOMES
      SCOTCH PLAINS HOMES
    • SOUTH PLAINFIELD HOMES
      SOUTH PLAINFIELD HOMES
    • WATCHUNG HOMES
      WATCHUNG HOMES
    • WARREN HOMES
      WARREN HOMES
    • SOMERSET HOMES
      SOMERSET HOMES
  • HOME SELLERS
    HOME SELLERS
    • HOME VALUATION REQUEST
      HOME VALUATION REQUEST
    • STAGING YOUR HOME FOR SALE
      STAGING YOUR HOME FOR SALE
    • COMMUNITY INFO
      COMMUNITY INFO
    • LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
      LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
    • NEWS FOR HOME SELLERS
      NEWS FOR HOME SELLERS
  • HOME BUYERS
    HOME BUYERS
    • LUXURY HOMES IN CENTRAL NEW JERSEY
      LUXURY HOMES IN CENTRAL NEW JERSEY
    • CONDOS & TOWNHOUSES
      CONDOS & TOWNHOUSES
    • RETIREMENT HOUSING IN NEW JERSEY
      RETIREMENT HOUSING IN NEW JERSEY
    • MORTGAGE CALCULATOR
      MORTGAGE CALCULATOR
    • LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
      LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
    • NEWS FOR HOME BUYERS
      NEWS FOR HOME BUYERS
  • ABOUT ROBIN
    ABOUT ROBIN
    • ABOUT ROBIN
      ABOUT ROBIN
    • CONTACT ME
      CONTACT ME
    • TESTIMONIALS
      TESTIMONIALS
  • BLOG
    BLOG
To Blog

Are Houses Less Affordable Than They Were in Past Decades?

August 11, 2021
-
Buying Myths, For Buyers, Interest Rates, Pricing
-
Posted by Robin Taylor Roth

Are Houses Less Affordable Than They Were in Past Decades? | Simplifying The Market

There are many headlines about how housing affordability is declining. The headlines are correct: it’s less affordable to purchase a home today than it was a year ago. However, it’s important to give this trend context. Is it less expensive to buy a house today than it was in 2005? What about 1995? What happens if we go all the way back to 1985? Or even 1975?

Obviously, the price of a home has appreciated dramatically over the last 45 years. So have the prices of milk, bread, and just about every other consumable. Prices rise over time – we know it as inflation.

However, when we look at housing, price is just one component that makes up the monthly cost of the home. Another key factor is the mortgage rate at the time of purchase.

Let’s look back at the cost of a home over the last five decades and adjust it for inflation by converting that cost to 2021 dollars. Here’s the methodology for each data point of the table below:

  • Mortgage Amount: Take the median sales price at the end of the second quarter of each year as reported by the Fed and assume that the buyer made a 10% down payment.
  • Mortgage Rate: Look at the monthly 30-year fixed rate for June of that year as reported by Freddie Mac.
  • P&I: Use a mortgage calculator to determine the monthly principal and interest on the loan.
  • In 2021 Dollars: Use an inflation calculator to determine what each payment would be when adjusted for inflation. Green means the homes were less expensive than today. Red means they were more expensive.

Are Houses Less Affordable Than They Were in Past Decades? | Simplifying The MarketAs the chart shows, when adjusted for inflation, there were only two times in the last 45 years that it was less expensive to own a home than it is today.

  1. Last year: Prices saw strong appreciation over the last year and mortgage rates have remained relatively flat. Therefore, affordability weakened.
  2. 2010: Home values plummeted after the housing crash 15 years ago. One-third of all sales were distressed properties (foreclosures or short sales). They sold at major discounts and negatively impacted the value of surrounding homes – of course homes were more affordable then.

At every other point, even in 1975, it was more expensive to buy a home than it is today.

Bottom Line

If you want to buy a home, don’t let the headlines about affordability discourage you. You can’t get the deal your friend got last year, but you will get a better deal than your parents did 20 years ago and your grandparents did 40 years ago.

PREVIOUS POST
Looking for a Place To Call Home? Consider a Condominium.
NEXT POST
The Best Use of Time (and Money) When It Comes to Renovations

Robin Taylor Roth

Find Your Dream Home
Price
Beds
Baths
More
Save Search
Get In Touch!

What is My Home Worth?

Related News

Other posts that you should not miss

It’s a Sellers’ Market [INFOGRAPHIC]

February 26, 2021
-
Posted by Robin Taylor Roth

Some Highlights Over the past year, homeowners have gained an unprecedented opportunity to sell with great success while buyer demand is …

Read More →
For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Infographics, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing
1 MIN READ

Why Buying a Home May Make More Sense Than Renting [INFOGRAPHIC]

September 30, 2022
-
Posted by Robin Taylor Roth

Some Highlights If you’re trying to decide whether to rent or buy a home, consider the advantages homeownership offers. Buying a …

Read More →
First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Rent vs. Buy
1 MIN READ

Should You Buy a Home with Inflation This High?

July 20, 2022
-
Posted by Robin Taylor Roth

While the Federal Reserve is working hard to bring down inflation, the latest data shows the inflation rate is still going …

Read More →
Buying Myths, For Buyers, Pricing
3 MIN READ
Contact Me

Robin Taylor Roth
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Jersey Properties
225 Maple Avenue South, South Plainfield, NJ 07080
NJ #0897458

Office : 908.755.5300
Cell : 908.612.4962
Email : robintaylorroth@BHHSNJ.com

Your Contact Info

     

    Agent Login

    © 2022 Robin Taylor Roth ©2017 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity. Information not verified or guaranteed. If your home is currently listed with a Broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.

    Are Houses Less Affordable Than They Were in Past Decades? - Central New Jersey Real Estate

    Attraction in Dunellen Boro, NJ

    778 Frenchtown Rd
    Powered by Yelp
    The Famous River Hot Dog Man
    The Famous River Hot Dog Man - Milford Yelp Rating 17 reviews
    Rafting/Kayaking, Tubing
    80 Old York Rd
    Powered by Yelp
    Old York Cellars
    Old York Cellars - Ringoes Yelp Rating 212 reviews
    Wineries, Wine Tours
    778 Frenchtown Rd
    Powered by Yelp
    Delaware River Tubing
    Delaware River Tubing - Milford Yelp Rating 227 reviews
    Rafting/Kayaking, Boating, Tubing
    220 Rte 22 W
    Powered by Yelp
    Crystal Toyota
    Crystal Toyota - Green Brook Township Yelp Rating 107 reviews
    Car Dealers, Oil Change Stations, Auto Parts & Supplies
    Powered by Yelp
    Derrick Joseph Psychic Medium
    Derrick Joseph Psychic Medium - Philadelphia Yelp Rating 28 reviews
    Psychic Mediums, Life Coach
    360 Industrial Loop
    Powered by Yelp
    WeGotLites
    WeGotLites - Staten Island Yelp Rating 46 reviews
    Home Decor, Lighting Fixtures & Equipment
    378 Route 6 & 209 Matamoras Base
    Powered by Yelp
    Kittatinny Canoes
    Kittatinny Canoes - Milford Yelp Rating 77 reviews
    Rafting/Kayaking, Tubing
    1055 US Hwy 1
    Powered by Yelp
    Worldwide Wholesale Floor Coverings
    Worldwide Wholesale Floor Coverings - Edison Yelp Rating 88 reviews
    Carpeting, Hardware Stores
    Powered by Yelp
    The Happy Wanderer Travel Agency
    The Happy Wanderer Travel Agency - Plainfield Yelp Rating 1 reviews
    Travel Agents, Tours
    378 Route 6 & 209
    Powered by Yelp
    Kittatinny Canoes
    Kittatinny Canoes - Milford Yelp Rating 28 reviews
    Campgrounds, Tubing, Rafting/Kayaking
    420 W 1st Ave
    Powered by Yelp
    Granitetop
    Granitetop  - Roselle Yelp Rating 7 reviews
    General Contractors, Kitchen & Bath
    Powered by Yelp
    The Ilka Pinheiro
    The Ilka Pinheiro - New York Yelp Rating 16 reviews
    Reiki, Psychic Mediums, Counseling & Mental Health
    305-B New Dorp Ln
    Powered by Yelp
    Gables New York
    Gables New York - Staten Island Yelp Rating 9 reviews
    Home Decor, Shades & Blinds, Shutters
    70 Commerce St
    Powered by Yelp
    Frank's Express
    Frank's Express - Brooklyn Yelp Rating 123 reviews
    Movers, Packing Services, Packing Supplies
    45 Main St Ste 202
    Powered by Yelp
    Block Renovation
    Block Renovation - Brooklyn Yelp Rating 76 reviews
    Kitchen & Bath, General Contractors
    234 16th St Fl 2
    Powered by Yelp
    Alpha Moving & Storage
    Alpha Moving & Storage - Jersey City Yelp Rating 176 reviews
    Movers, Self Storage, Packing Supplies