New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months 8 i! X; P) F3 T( ^ o% f4 \3 ?. K6 Y4 |9 C0 s9 C- F( I
& x1 l! N5 B# I. y7 J. }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.4 R( ~' ]+ }; W
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.