Washington -- Pending home sales increased in August, a welcome rebound after a prior month of declines, according to the National Association of Realtors. Each of the four major regions reported both month-over-month growth and year-over-year gains in contract activity.
The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), an indicator based on contract signings, climbed 1.6% to 107.3 in August, reversing the prior month’s decrease. Year-over-year contract signings jumped 2.5%. An index of 100 is equal to the average level of contract activity.