New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months / V* Y/ N" {$ @( v+ X7 [
8 t9 e& e' N8 q4 g8 o9 _/ N $ B) J2 F4 l" [. vWASHINGTON (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." _6 y' q, G: c
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.