August New Home Sales Fall 0.3% But Hold Near Two-Year High

New home sales fell 0.3% in August but held near a two-year high, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

Sales fell to a 373,000 annual rate from a revised 374,000, Commerce said. July’s originally reported 372,000 rate was the strongest since April 2010.

The August rate was below economists’ median forecast of 380,000, Bloomberg reported.

Purchases rose 20% in the Northeast, 1.8% in the Midwest and 0.9% in the West. They fell 4.9% in the South.

Rising home sales can mean more business for flatbed trucking companies that haul building materials and dry van freight carriers that haul household appliances and furniture.