New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months / ^* |! {4 j" R( z, E% U" p7 c8 ]/ u8 C4 y( X& z% G" F
6 ]7 ~- Z5 f+ ]: b( |8 V2 x% J
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sales of new homes posted the biggest increase in five months in August, raising hopes that the steep slide in the housing industry may be leveling off.' [* r7 Z" `: O! h1 v1 f
Sales of new single-family homes increased by 4.1 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.05 million units, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. It was the biggest increase since an 8 percent gain in March.