In the early part of the 20th century most mortgages in the U.S. Is The 50-Year Mortgage For You During the past few weeks several mortgage lenders have announced that they will now offer 50-year mortgages. The 30-year mortgage that is now the gold standard of American home finance was once virtually unknown. This is a curious idea, but not as curious as it could be: At the height of the real estate boom in Japan some homes were financed with 100-year mortgages. were “term” loans, mortg For months now, you have been looking at houses and home brochures and you have finally found it - the house that's just right. So now, you're feeling anxious to buy your new home, move in, and get settled. But this is not where your search ends. You still have one more important task to do and that is getting a home mortgage.