RISMEDIA, May 20, 2009-Nationwide housing affordability jumped 10 percentage points 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/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI). The HOI 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, up from 62.4% during the previous quarter and up from 53.8% during the first quarter of 2008.
“Underlying the increase in affordability are lower home prices and record low interest rates. Combined with the $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time home buyers, consumers are beginning to return to the marketplace,” said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson, a home builder from Tulsa, Okla.
With close to $300 Million in sales on Singer Island since 2004 (close to 250 different properties) Dermot OBrien Group of Sotheby’s International Realty Singer Island is the recipient of the 2012 Ritz Carlton Residences Power Broker Award, 2013-2014 International Property Magazine Best Real Estate Agent Florida Award and the 2017 - 2018 International Property Magazine Best Real Estate Brokerage Florida Award. Dermot was selected as the 2010 & 2011 Unique Homes Magazine Singer Island market specialist, in addition to being a 2008, 2009 and 2010 Platinum Producer for Illustrated Properties Real Estate.
Dermot has an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, a Diploma from the British Chartered Institute of Marketing and a BA from University College Dublin in Ireland. A life long learner he recently completed a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Digital Marketing Institute. With over 35 years of experience in real estate sales, marketing, new product development and management consulting he continues to enjoy the entrepreneurial career path.
