New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months - S: m& A* i6 c" W8 q , }% \" P3 |3 s* t/ U* {# n; N # \ z# N4 Q& T3 j2 MWASHINGTON (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.) ?) j8 l; z- }! s: T; `( \
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.