New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months ; u7 t- W9 ^5 V5 z( n6 u + p7 r- }2 s! v; `+ z" B! t 8 |4 ~# h' G! Q- `, IWASHINGTON (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. l: q1 s' U: D, [( r/ C2 M( b$ 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.