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)

US new home sales jump nearly 17 percent in November

By The Associated Press January 31, 2019 at 8:43am

WASHINGTON (AP) — 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 percent 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 percent 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 percent. Sales of existing homes plunged in December and were 3.1 percent 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.

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