Your Money Minute — What About A 50 Year Mortgage?

Podcast: Your Money Minute
Host: Jessica Ettinger, CNBC
Air Date: November 20, 2025
Duration: ~1 min
Main Theme:
Exploring the implications of President Trump's proposal for a 50-year mortgage, including the benefits and drawbacks for first-time home buyers, and expert commentary on the practicality and consequences of such a loan product.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Background: The 50-Year Mortgage Proposal

• President Trump recently suggested the concept of extending mortgage terms to 50 years to address housing affordability and accessibility, especially for first-time homebuyers.

Reduced Monthly Payments:

• Kevin Hassett (President Trump's National Economic Council Head) outlines the core rationale:
  • "[A 50-year mortgage] would reduce the monthly payment. We've got a real problem in America that too few people are getting that first home. And the age of first time home buyers has gone up by about 10 years over just the last few." (00:08)
• Implication:
  • A longer loan term means buyers pay less each month, which could help more people afford their first home.

Legislative & Structural Hurdles:

• Jessica Ettinger clarifies:
  • "If a 50 year mortgage were allowed, and they're not right now, it would take an act of Congress." (00:29)
  • This idea is not yet possible—regulatory and legislative changes would be required.

Concerns and Drawbacks:

• Diana Olek (CNBC Real Estate Reporter) raises major caveats:
  • “Some people called it kind of like an interest-only loan because that’s what you’re really doing over time because most people aren’t going to keep a home for 50 years anyway.” (00:46)
  • People rarely stay in one home for decades, making the long-term building of equity questionable.
  • “We don’t even know what the interest rate would be for a 50 year fixed because if you look at a versus a 15, a 15 year fixed interest rate is actually lower right now than 30 year, which implies that a 50 year would be an even higher interest rate. You’re paying rent.” (00:57)
  • Key Insight: The longer the mortgage, the higher the potential interest rate; the buyer may be “paying rent” versus building equity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kevin Hassett (00:08):

  “President Trump is really focused like a laser beam on trying to come up with something that addresses [first-time home affordability].”

• Jessica Ettinger (00:29):

  “If a 50 year mortgage were allowed ... it would take an act of Congress.”

• Diana Olek (00:46):

  “Some people called it kind of like an interest only loan ... most people aren’t going to keep a home for 50 years anyway.”

  “A 15 year fixed interest rate is actually lower right now than [a] 30 year, which implies that a 50 year would be an even higher interest rate. You’re paying rent.”

Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–00:08 — Introduction to the 50-year mortgage proposal
• 00:08–00:29 — Kevin Hassett explains the rationale: lower monthly payments; first-time buyer challenges
• 00:29–00:46 — Jessica Ettinger discusses legislative obstacles and potential benefits
• 00:46–01:11 — Diana Olek addresses key criticisms: doubtful practicality, probable higher rates, comparison to “interest-only” loans

Takeaway

The idea of a 50-year mortgage is presented as a way to ease home entry for new buyers through lower monthly payments, but faces skepticism over its long-term cost, practicality, and the likelihood of higher interest rates. The discussion encourages looking beyond monthly payments to consider total equity and interest paid over time.

For more resources, Jessica Ettinger suggests visiting CNBC.com for expanded home buying advice.