FILE- In this May 25, 2018, file photo shows a sold sign stands in front of a home under construction in Hampton Township, Pa. Sales of new U.S. homes soared in November, defying higher mortgage rates, but they're still below year-ago levels. The Commerce Department said Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, that new home sales jumped 16.9 percent in November from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 657,000. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
January 31, 2019 - 7:43 AM
WASHINGTON - Sales of new U.S. homes soared in November, defying higher mortgage rates. But they're still below year-ago levels.
The Commerce Department said Thursday that new home sales jumped 16.9 per cent in November from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 657,000.
The report was delayed by the 35-day government shutdown. Despite the healthy gain, sales remained 7.7 per cent below the pace from a year ago.
The housing market stumbled badly at the end of the year as mortgage rates reached a seven-year high near 5 per cent. Sales of existing homes plunged in December and were 3.1 per cent lower in 2018 than the previous year.
Steady price gains, higher borrowing costs, and a limited supply of available houses have discouraged many would-be buyers.
News from © The Associated Press, 2019