New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months ' A$ ]: C( P9 P1 n- f( `6 w" z# R! r6 M% n
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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. & m; s$ I% `3 G- z, _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.