home sales

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sales of existing U.S. homes rose for the fourth straight month in July to their highest level in nearly a year, the latest sign that the housing recovery is picking up after stumbling at the start of the year.

Sales of new U.S. homes fell sharply last month, a sign that real estate continues to be a weak spot in the economy.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The pace of U.S home construction slipped in May with many Americans still struggling to afford new houses.

Entering the 2014 spring buying season, the U.S. housing market faces an unusual dilemma: Too few people are selling homes. Yet too few buyers can afford the homes that are for sale.

Rapid home price increases in some parts of the country have prompted an alarm about another "housing bubble," but a New Jersey economist says that's not the case in the Garden State.

Sales of U.S. existing homes slipped in February to their lowest level since July 2012 as severe winter weather, rising prices and a tight supply of homes discouraged buyers.

A surprisingly strong pace of new-home sales last month has boosted hopes that the spring buying season will be solid enough to lift the overall economy.

Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages rose this week but remained near historically low levels.

The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy existing homes in November was essentially unchanged from October, suggesting sales are stabilizing after several months of declines.

The number of people who bought existing U.S. homes in November declined for the third straight month. Higher mortgage rates have made home-buying more expensive, while the lingering effect of the October government shutdown might have deterred some sales.