The 1995 Housing Market
Let’s set the scene:
You’re flipping through the Sunday paper with a cup of coffee, highlighter in one hand, landline in the other. Your car has a cassette deck. You’re hoping that listing on Maple Street is still available by the time the office opens on Monday. The fax machine is warmed up just in case.
In 1995:
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Median home price: $114,600
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Average mortgage rate: 7.93%
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Inventory: 1.58 million homes for sale
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You’d call off a yard sign, leave a voicemail, then fax over your offer
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First-time buyers made up 42% of all buyers, and the median age was just 31
The 2025 Housing Market
Fast forward 30 years and we’re living in a digital-first world, but the home search hasn’t necessarily gotten easier.
Today:
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Median home price: $407,500
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Mortgage rates still hover around 6.8%
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Inventory has dropped to 870,000 homes
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Buyers scroll Zillow at midnight, send instant offers, and still lose out
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First-time buyers make up just 24%, with a median age of 38
Wild stat: There were more single-family homes for sale in 1995 before the internet was common than there are today-with every app, AI tool, and digital listing at our fingertips.
What’s Changed (and What Hasn’t)
Housing has gotten more expensive, inventory is tighter, and the average buyer is older. But one thing hasn’t changed: people still want to buy a home they love, and most are trying to do it while juggling work, life, and uncertainty about the market.
How Marketplace Homes Makes This Easier
In 1995, you needed a landline, a printer, and maybe even a prayer.
In 2025, you need a strategy, and that’s where we come in.
Marketplace Homes is your full-service real estate team, helping you:
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Find new construction homes nationwide (even if you have a current home or lease)
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Get real answers fast, not bots
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Use tech the right way, with human support behind it
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Choose the solution that fits your life, not just your search criteria
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, investor, or just tired of losing out on your dream home, we can help you win in today’s market.
1995 had fax machines. 2025 has Marketplace Homes.