-->New home sales jumped a much stronger than expected 9.4 percent in August to a 1.184 million annual rate, but a gain more than offset by downward revisions in July (to a 1.082 million rate from 1.134 million) and June (1.167 million from 1.211 million).

The median price for a new home fell 2.6 percent in the month to $208,900, a reflection of rising supply that increased 2.0 percent in the month to 404,000 units. Though prices are still up a sharp 9.7 percent on the year, the August price dip may point to sales gains in the months ahead.

Note the median price of an existing home (data released Friday) dipped 0.1 percent in August to $190,100, up 7.3 percent year-on-year.

<ul> ~ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3680086.stm</ul>