U.S. Existing Home Sales Rise 10%, More Than Forecast

Sales of existing U.S. homes increased more than forecast in October to the highest level since February 2007, spurred in part by a tax credit that lured first-time buyers.

Purchases rose 10.1 percent to a 6.1 million annual rate from a 5.54 million pace in September, the National Association of Realtors said today in Washington. The median sales price decreased 7.1 percent from October 2008, the smallest decline in more than a year.