Is a 50-Year Mortgage a Good Idea? Trump’s Mortgage Plan
Is a 50-Year Mortgage a Good Idea? Understanding the Concept.
With recent discussions around housing affordability and the Trump mortgage plan sparking national conversation, many Americans are searching for creative solutions to enter the housing market. One concept gaining attention is the 50-year mortgage. Right now, a 50-year mortgage is just a concept. It’s not yet available to homebuyers, but understanding how it could work might change your perspective on entering the housing market.
How It Works
Like a traditional 30-year mortgage, a 50-year loan would spread your payments over a longer term. In this case, 50 years instead of 30.
The Trade-Off: Lower Payments, More Interest
According to HousingWire’s analysis, here’s what that means for your wallet on a $400,000 loan:
- 30-Year Mortgage (6.32%): $2,481/month | $493,198 total interest
- 50-Year Mortgage (6.80%): $2,346/month | $1,007,423 total interest
The 50-year option saves you about $135 per month, but you’ll pay more than $514,000 more in interest over the life of the loan. It’s a significant trade-off worth understanding.
A Potential Refinancing Path
One idea worth considering: a 50-year mortgage doesn’t have to be permanent. As your financial situation improves and you build equity, refinancing could become an option. This might allow you to:
- Shorten your loan term to 30 or 15 years
- Take advantage of lower interest rates
- Adjust your monthly payment to fit changing circumstances
Why Consider This?
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), with median home prices climbing year over year: $420,700 in September 2025, $412,500 in 2024, up from $392,800 in 2022, many Americans are being priced out of homeownership. A 50-year mortgage could help address this issue.
Who’s Actually Interested?
A recent BadCredit.org survey reveals interesting generational divides when it comes to 50-year mortgages:
- Millennials are most open to the concept, with more than half (54%) saying they’d consider a 50-year mortgage, compared to just 29% of Baby Boomers.
- Gender differences emerge, with men (52%) more inclined than women (39%) to consider ultra-long mortgage terms.
- Younger buyers see opportunity: The generational gap suggests younger Americans view extended loan terms as a practical path to homeownership in today’s challenging market.
The Bottom Line
The goal isn’t the perfect mortgage, it’s getting into the market. A 50-year mortgage might give you the foothold you need to become a homeowner today and refinance for better terms tomorrow.
While a 50-year mortgage is not currently available, reach out to one of our local loan officers to explore the mortgage options you do have. They’ll help you find the right solution to make homeownership a reality.
Sources:
- https://www.housingwire.com/articles/how-much-would-a-50-year-mortgage-cost/
- https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/2025-11/hai-09-2025-housing-affordability-index-2025-11-06.pdf
- https://www.badcredit.org/studies/survey-50-year-mortgage/