New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months 7 J: y2 }; M8 j: W- h' _- |8 D \ 0 q2 \6 E$ h$ a9 D9 ~$ \0 l1 s. P# Q' P1 i6 D
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.$ c; m1 B3 J% D1 s
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.