New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months 2 @$ r2 G* e- j, q
* j5 a6 {; y$ ?
+ ^- R% }* B, b$ T. WWASHINGTON (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.& \# f9 z- C& p" ]5 K: Y
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.