Housing Market, November | featured news

The National Association of Realtors said the number of people who signed contracts to buy homes rose in November. The index of sales agreements for previously occupied homes increased by 3.

New single-family home sales rose in November but to a lower- than- expected rate , a government report showed on Thursday, highlighting the weakness in the housing market even as the broader economic recovery gains momentum.

Sales of previously owned U.S. homes rose in November, offering the latest sign the economy was ending the year on a more solid footing after a sluggish third-quarter performance.

Home prices fell in November for the first time in seven months, according to a industry report released Tuesday.

The 16 percent decline in November was far larger than the 2 percent expected by economists.

Sales of new homes plunged unexpectedly last month to the lowest level since April, a sign the housing market recovery will be rocky.

Construction of new homes, helped by better weather, rebounded in November following a setback in the previous month.