Let's figure. A $54,000 loan today at 5% would give you a payment of $289.88. That's quite a savings. For the payment of $562.82 you could purchase a $104,843 loan! And that's about what a $54,000 house would cost now! And the interest rates climbed on and on up! By the end of the 80's they were around 17% or more. Let's figure. A $54000 loan at 17% would be $769.86. YIKES!!! I'm (11 comments)