New Home Sales Fall 15% to Lowest Level on Record

December new home sales fell to the lowest level on record, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

Sales fell 15% to an annual pace of 331,000 units, Commerce said. Economists forecast a drop to a pace of 397,000, Bloomberg reported.

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.

New home sales account for about 15% of residential real estate sales.