Dual-income couples are a driving force in the recovering market with married couples making up 65 percent of all buyers—the highest share since 2001, according to the 2012 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Sixteen percent of recent home buyers were single females—the lowest share since 2001.

Highlights from the annual survey:

• 39 percent of recent home buyers were first-time buyers, a slight rise from 2011, but closer to the historical norm of 40 percent.
• The typical buyer was 42-years-old
• The 2011 median household income of buyers was$78,600. The median income was $61,800 among first-time buyers and $93,100 among repeat buyers.
• The typical home purchased was 1,900 square feet in size, built in 1992, and had three bedrooms, two bathrooms.
• 79 percent of homebuyers purchased a detached single-family home.
• The typical home buyer searched for 12 weeks and viewed 10 homes.
• 89 percent of buyers purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker.