The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports the U.S. Department of Commerce says sales of new, single-family homes increased 1.3 percent in October, marking the best monthly sales pace since May, 2011. “Today’s report is right in line with our forecast for modest and gradual improvement in sales activity through the remainder of the year,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “Particularly encouraging is the fact that builders continue to hold down their inventories to match the current sales rate, with the number of new homes for sale now down to a sustainable, 6.3-month supply.” Regionally, new home sales gained 22.2 percent in the Midwest, and 14.9 percent in the West. The Northeast remained unchanged, but sales declined in the South.

(Graphic credit: NAHB)