New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months ' L j2 t1 u$ T4 h3 K, h+ V; A3 |& a* Y $ M- n9 @' N3 r X* B' a+ c+ f# P/ V! n7 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.; t- P; o6 b; J: u& F3 h
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.