New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months + n; t: v) u3 g4 G 4 P* k6 k1 l7 r4 g0 P' x- m" ] ( P* T. o. O7 B v2 fWASHINGTON (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 v2 R. \7 O9 H9 sSales 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.