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According to the latest numbers, February was a good month for home sales after sales declined in January due to inclement weather.

Meanwhile, new-home sales in February soared by 9.4 percent — the biggest increase since December 2000_ as still-attractive mortgage rates lured buyers, the Commerce Department said in a separate report.

The over-the-month increase boosted sales of new homes to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.2 million. Sales posted solid gains in all parts of the country in February. The pickup comes after sales dropped by 8.6 percent in January as bad weather kept house hunters and prospective buyers indoors.

Home sales, which posted record highs last year, are expected to slow this year as mortgage rates move higher. Still, analysts believe the housing market should remain in good shape.

The median sales price of a new home — where half sell for more and half sell for less — rose to a record high of $230,700 in February.

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