Housing Market, Home Sales | featured news

Sales of previously owned U.S. homes surged to their highest level in more than two years in September, a survey showed on Friday, providing further evidence the housing market and economy were on the mend.

Home resales dipped last month after a four-month streak of gains, providing evidence that the housing market recovery remains fragile.

Sales of previously owned U.S. homes in July notched their fastest pace in nearly two years, an industry survey showed on Friday, the strongest sign yet that housing was pulling out of a three-year slump.

A realtors' index for pending sales of previously owned homes increased a third month in a row, rising 6.7% in April from March and up 3.2% from a year earlier.

Pending sales of existing U.S. homes rose in March for a second straight month, a private survey showed on Monday, supporting views the housing market was close to hitting a bottom.

Existing home sales in the United States likely fell in March amid tight lending standards and concerns by purchasers on job security but a continued decline in prices may mute the drop and even point to sales stabilizing, economists said.

The widow of producer Aaron Spelling is placing "The Manor" in the exclusive Holmby Hills neighborhood on the market for a jaw-dropping $150 million, making it by far the most expensive home for sale in the U.S.

New orders for long-lasting U.S. made goods rose in February for the first time in seven months and new home sales rebounded, government reports showed on Wednesday, suggesting the economic downturn might be easing a bit.

Sales of previously owned U.S. homes rose at their fastest pace in nearly six years in February, data showed on Monday, providing some good news for the recession hit-economy.

A forecasting gauge of housing-market activity fell more than twice as much as was expected in January as some buyers held off on home purchases.