New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months # `& t( J# _- r$ x' J
. z% h2 f9 Y( b3 X! w 6 a- L Y7 Z' _$ S& xWASHINGTON (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.! \* |1 l/ A8 N' P! u3 V
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.