WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans bought fewer existing homes in September than the previous month, held back by higher mortgage rates and rising prices.
The National Association of Realtors said Monday that sales of re-sold homes fell 1.9 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.29 million. That's down from a pace of 5.39 million in August, which was revised lower.
The sales pace in August equaled July's pace. Both were the highest in four years and are consistent with a healthy market.
Mortgage rates rose sharply over the summer from their historic lows, threatening to slow a housing recovery that began last year and has helped drive modest economic growth.
But many economists expect home sales will remain healthy, especially now that rates have stabilized and remain near historically low levels. Final sales in September reflected contracts signed in July and August, when rates were about a percentage point higher than in May.