New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months 1 k1 j# ^; m/ d# g# u5 O2 S- r3 P9 s) @# t7 P9 x2 l' c8 O ?0 w
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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. 4 L+ D+ w/ \; ~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.