New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months ) s5 f+ l; i& V1 v
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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.: b, P( T" Y* M o1 }2 \$ B
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.