New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months " R0 Q* C. W6 o( Y+ l - H) s9 N/ ] b0 t$ @, W1 h i9 ^* g, d( \
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.4 L( `9 f. N5 q& J
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.