Existing-Home Sales Rose 5 Percent in February

Sales of existing homes rose from January to February in an unexpected boost for the slumping housing market as buyers took advantage of deep discounts on foreclosures.

WASHINGTON — Sales of existing homes rose from January to February in an unexpected boost for the slumping  housing market as buyers took advantage of deep discounts on foreclosures.

The National Association of Realtors said Monday that sales of existing homes grew 5.1 percent to an annual rate of 4.72 million last month, from 4.49 million units in January. It was the largest sales jump since July 2003.

Sales had been expected to fall to an annual pace of 4.45 million units, according to Thomson Reuters.

Source: The Associated Press