New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months 5 D% @6 K' m2 n6 y
. W g! l8 z, s( w9 ] ( e8 `: c _: q- aWASHINGTON (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.( N# W; C* Q( L
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.