Summary New home sales fall 2.5% in June; up 23.8% year-on-yearMedian new house price drops 4.0% year-on-yearWASHINGTON, July 26 (Reuters) - Sales of new U.S. single-family homes fell in June after three straight monthly increases, but the trend remained strong as an acute shortage of previously owned homes underpins demand.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast new home sales, which account for a small share of U.S. home sales, would drop to a rate of 725,000 units.
New home sales are counted at the signing of a contract, making them a leading indicator of the housing market.
While the overall the housing market continues to stabilize, higher mortgage rates and the renewed house price appreciation could delay a recovery.
The median new house price in June was $415,400, a 4.0% drop from a year ago.
Persons:
Conrad DeQuadros, Richard de Chazal, William Blair, Jerome, Powell, Lucia Mutikani, Andrea Ricci, Paul Simao
Organizations:
U.S, Commerce Department, Brean, Reuters, Mortgage, Association, National Association of Home Builders, Federal, Treasury, Thomson
Locations:
WASHINGTON, New York, U.S, Midwest