New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months / P4 v4 K# ~- P3 `% Q - Q5 u& v+ ?' A9 ]( n1 i) k: ?$ O9 _. i* s8 {# I) B
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.6 c! r. s# }' p, P
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.