New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months ) ^' r* e9 l# f: \4 y H
! A% S( Q; o. u1 O# z/ R+ I8 M p; a* {/ @3 z$ T$ q# S8 JWASHINGTON (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; A( T. H3 D' t
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.