New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months ) D! U# Y8 J& m; Y- P5 H$ w# j8 A G, Q
2 E& }- c. ?* x t5 p& V" C7 \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.! I# |5 E- a( 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.