The National Association of Realtors created this great visual that shows how things have changed in the last 30 years.
One thing we could take away from this is that the change is relatively small. However, a few things that jump out to me are that more homes are changing hands to people to have owned homes before, and that the average homebuyer is materially older than they were 30 years ago. My guess is that those to factors tend to drive each other.
I find it interesting that while less people are using financing, the percentage that is financed is greater now than it was then. The alternative loan products were just not really a part of the market in 1981.
What jumps out to you?