May 20th, 2009, Nationwide affordability humped 10% during the first quarter of 2009 to its highest level since the series began 18 years ago according to the
National Association of Home Builders. The Index showed that 72.5% of all new and existing homes sold in the first quarter of 2009 were affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,000 during the previous quarter and up from 53% during the first quarter of 2008.
The underlying cause seems to be that there are lower home prices and record low interest rates. Combined with the $8,000 tax credit for
first time home buyers. 
