New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months * n k8 r3 t7 n/ C5 K8 U. p
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4 U7 N. s- g! V" D; v( O3 ^0 uWASHINGTON (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.1 U$ ^+ \" X5 g- k6 o: e- s9 [
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.