New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months ( X) J- y% D0 S3 P; m, M, q! c 1 d: m8 x9 F0 v6 [ / s8 ]% }$ Z8 t! k: ^; sWASHINGTON (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.) ?& v' D. a9 Y& U1 [" V# e3 P
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.