Benzinga tells MHProNews.com the Pending Home Sales Index rose to 101.4 in March, up 4.1 percent from the 97.4 figure in Feb. 2012. Based on signed real estate contracts for all types of housing, the Index is 12.8 percent above March 2011 when it was 89.9, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says, “First quarter sales closings were the highest first quarter sales in five years. The latest contract signing activity suggests the second quarter will be equally good.”

(Photo credit: Benzinga)