New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months - J2 r! u+ ?- w7 q1 S- M9 q% z2 y7 G ' S8 [4 @) o' B& m; M6 @% U: i! S# D, j' X F/ a
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. 8 V# \# y; r. }# C& U5 N0 WSales 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.