Mortgage Fun Facts and Surprising Statistics

October 1, 2024

Mortgages have become a cornerstone of homeownership in America, but how much do we really know about them? Whether you’re a seasoned homeowner or someone just stepping into the world of real estate, it’s always fun to uncover some surprising facts and statistics about mortgages. Here at Eagle Mortgage, we love helping people navigate the mortgage process, but we also enjoy diving into the numbers and history behind it all. Let’s explore some intriguing tidbits and figures about mortgages that might just surprise you.


Fun Facts About Mortgages


1. The Origin of the Word “Mortgage”

Did you know that the word "mortgage" is derived from the Old French word “morgage” or "mort gaige," which translates to “dead pledge”? It sounds ominous, but the meaning behind it is quite simple. The “pledge” dies either when the debt is fully paid off or when the borrower defaults on the loan. This medieval term stuck around and became synonymous with the loans used to buy homes.


2. The American Mortgage Has Evolved

Today, a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the most common option, but this wasn’t always the case. Before the Great Depression, mortgages were much shorter in term, often requiring high down payments, and were typically renegotiated annually. Modern long-term, fixed-rate mortgages only became popular post-Depression, giving homeowners much more financial stability.


3. Painting the Door Red

In Scotland, it’s a tradition to paint your front door red once you’ve paid off your mortgage. Imagine the sense of pride that comes with a bright red door symbolizing your debt-free homeownership! Perhaps it’s a tradition worth adopting here in the U.S.


Eye-Opening Mortgage Statistics


1. America’s Mortgage Debt

Americans owe a staggering $12.14 trillion on 84 million mortgages. This averages out to $144,593 per person with a mortgage on their credit report. Mortgages account for an impressive 70.2% of consumer debt in the U.S., showing just how significant home loans are to the economy.


2. Interest Rates in 2023

If you’ve been house-hunting or refinancing recently, you’ve likely noticed the fluctuating interest rates. The average interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage in 2023 was 6.79%, with rates ranging from 6.09% to a high of 7.79% throughout the year. Although rates have risen compared to historic lows, they are still manageable, especially compared to the 20% rates seen in the 1980s!


3. Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs)

In addition to mortgages, Americans also owe $349 billion on 13.1 million HELOCs, averaging $26,702 per account. While this represents only 2.0% of U.S. consumer debt, it’s a popular way for homeowners to access their home’s equity for renovations, debt consolidation, or major expenses.


4. Mortgage Delinquency and Foreclosures

Although most mortgages are in good standing, 1.2% of mortgages were seriously delinquent or in foreclosure as of August 2023. This translates to homeowners being 90 days or more past due. While foreclosure rates have dropped significantly in recent years, there were still 144,880 new foreclosures reported in the 12 months leading up to September 2023.


5. Mortgage Debt Across States

The size of mortgages varies widely across the U.S. The average home purchase mortgage through the LendingTree platform in 2023 was $224,398. However, this number is much higher in states like Hawaii, where the average loan size is $464,994, compared to West Virginia, where it’s only $150,245.


Final Thoughts


Mortgages are more than just a financial tool—they come with rich history and surprising facts that many of us may overlook. Whether you’re just learning about mortgage basics or you're an experienced homeowner, these statistics offer a deeper understanding of the mortgage world.


For more fun facts, mortgage tips, and industry insights, don’t forget to follow Eagle Mortgage on social media. Stay updated on the latest trends and financial tips to help you on your homeownership journey!


Follow and Like Our Social Media Accounts for More Mortgage Insights!

Best Chili Recipe

By Liz Gibbs • January 27, 2026
Ingredients ▢2 pounds lean ground beef ▢1 onion diced ▢1 jalapeño seeded and finely diced ▢4 cloves garlic minced ▢2 ½ tablespoons chili powder divided, or to taste ▢1 teaspoon cumin ▢1 green bell pepper seeded and diced ▢14.5 ounces crushed tomatoes 1 can ▢19 ounces canned red kidney beans drained and rinsed ▢14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juices ▢1 ½ cups beef broth ▢1 cup beer ▢1 tablespoon tomato paste ▢1 tablespoon brown sugar optional ▢salt and black pepper to taste Instructions Combine ground beef and 1 ½ tablespoons chili powder. In a large pot, brown ground beef, onion, jalapeno, and garlic. Drain any fat. Add in remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 45-60 minutes or until chili has reached desired thickness. Top with cheddar cheese, green onions, cilantro or other favorite toppings. Serving size: 1 1/2 cups Beer can be replaced with extra broth. Any ground meat will work in this recipe. Optional toppings: sour cream, red or green onion, cheese, jalapenos, cilantro, avocado & lime wedges, tortilla chips Nutrition Information Calories: 395 | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 283mg | Potassium: 1066mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 870IU | Vitamin C: 26.2mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 6.2mg

Cowboy Casserole

By Liz Gibbs • December 16, 2025
Ingredients - 1 (32-oz.) bag of tater tots - 4 strips of bacon (about 3 oz.) - 1/2 yellow onion, chopped - 2 cloves garlic, chopped - 1 lb. ground sirloin - 1 (10.75-oz.) can cream of mushroom soup - 3/4 cup milk - 1/2 tsp. salt - 3/4 tsp. ground black pepper, divided - 3 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped - 1 cup frozen corn - 8 oz. shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese - 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese - Chopped chives or scallions, for topping Directions 1 Preheat the oven to 375˚F. Remove the tater tots from the freezer to let them thaw slightly while you prepare the filling. 2 Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until golden brown and extra crispy, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the grease in the skillet. 3 Add the onion to the skillet with the grease and cook until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until no pink pieces remain, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain off the excess fat, if you like. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the soup, milk, salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper; mix until smooth. Fold in the spinach to wilt slightly. Stir in the corn. 4 Sprinkle the cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Place the tater tots on top in a single layer, arranging them in concentric circles (or just toss them on and push them very close together). Sprinkle the top with the parmesan cheese and the additional 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. 5 Bake until he tater tots are golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and crumble the cooked bacon over top. Let rest 5 minutes. Top with chopped chives or scallions and serve.

No Bake Cannoli Pie

By Liz Gibbs • December 4, 2025
The Prep Time: Additional Time: Total Time: Servings: Yield: 20 mins 4 hrs 4h rs 20 mins 1 0 1 (9-inch) pie Crust: - 8 waffle cones, slightly crushed - 1/2 cup roasted pistachios - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar - 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted - cooking spray Filling: - 1/4 cup salted roasted pistachios, plus chopped pistachios for garnish - 1½ cups whole milk ricotta - 1 cup mascarpone cheese - 1 cup unsifted powdered sugar - 1 /2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips, plus more for garnish - 2 teaspoons grated orange zest, plus more for garnish - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt - 1 cup heavy whipping cream Directions: - Gather all ingredients. - To make the crust: Pulse waffle cones, pistachios, and sugar in a food processor until mixture is finely ground, about 20 (1-second) pulses. Add butter, and pulse until mixture holds together when squeezed, about 10 (1-second) pulses, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. - Lightly coat a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate with cooking spray, and transfer waffle cone mixture to prepared pie plate, pressing evenly into bottom and up sides of pie plate. Freeze crust, uncovered, until set, about 15 minutes. - Meanwhile, to make the filling: - Finely chop pistachios, and transfer to a medium bowl. Add ricotta, mascarpone, powdered sugar, chocolate chips, orange zest, vanilla, and salt. Stir until combined, and set aside at room temperature. - Beat heavy cream with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until medium peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Spoon whipped cream into ricotta mixture, and gently fold until just combined. - Spoon ricotta mixture into prepared Crust, and spread in an even layer with a rubber spatula or offset spatula. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate, uncovered, until set, at least 4 hours or up to 8 hours. - Remove pie from refrigerator; remove plastic wrap, and garnish with additional chopped pistachios, chocolate chips, and orange zest. Nutrition Facts (per serving) 664 50g 46g 11g Calories Fat Carbs Protein
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