National real estate appreciation data (according to the National Association of Realtors):

1970-1979 = 142% appreciation
1980-1989 = 52% appreciation
1990-1999 = 45% appreciation
2000-2008 = 42% appreciation

Prime rate (not mortgage rates) since 1930.  Source: Moneycafe.com.  Click image below to enlarge:

I’d be happy to post historic real estate appreciation data that goes back before the 70s .