New home sales reach post-recession high

[Washington] Sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 16.6 percent in April from an upwardly revised March reading to an adjusted rate of 619,000 units, according to newly released data by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. This is the highest sales pace since January 2008.

"Builders remain optimistic about the housing market, and this month's jump in new home sales is a positive sign that growing demand will keep the housing sector on an upward trajectory through the spring buying season," said NAHB chairman Ed Brady.