New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months ' }% ^- b( r; E1 w 8 H, _/ L1 h+ ^# N1 A , U5 l% F1 j0 \9 ?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.. [5 b1 f$ g% c! `& i% l
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.