New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months , [; @ q N. [9 j , g5 K$ I1 Y& B9 P) ~$ N' ?; T H/ q% t& ]4 }- P: o# W
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. " n$ _. ?; M G7 |: h, iSales 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.