The National Association of Realtors (NAR) composite quarterly Housing Affordability Index (HAI) rose to a record high of 205.9 in the first quarter of 2012, based on the relationship between median home price, median family income and average mortgage interest rate. The higher the index, the greater the household purchasing power. This is the first time the quarterly index broke the 200 mark; recordkeeping began in 1970.  See More of this article... click here