Buying pool grows nationally

The National Association of Home Builders said sliding prices and lower mortgage rates mean 55 million families can now afford to buy houses at the national median price of $200,000. Chairman Joe Robson said that’s an increase of 17 million families from two years ago. Census Bureau data indicates families can manage to buy a house with lower income and still save money, thanks to a drop in mortgage rates and a deflation in prices in many markets. There’s also growing interest in the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit included in the recently enacted economic stimulus package.