New Home Sales in U.S. Reach Eight-Year High in 2015

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According to HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau, sales of newly built, single-family homes in the U.S. rose 14.5 percent to 501,000 units in 2015, the highest level since 2007. Meanwhile, sales in December increased 10.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 544,000 from an upwardly revised November 2015 reading.

"Relatively low interest rates and an improving economy are motivating buyers to make a new-home purchase," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "Builders are upping their inventory in response to heightened consumer interest. Housing inventory is now at its highest level since October 2009."

Sales increased in all four regions in December. The Midwest, West, Northeast and South all posted respective gains of 31.6 percent, 21 percent, 20.8 percent and 0.4 percent.

The inventory of new homes for sale was 237,000 units in December. This is a 5.2-month supply at the current sales pace.

"The December sales report is a great end to a very strong year," said Ed Brady, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and home builder and developer from Bloomington, Ill. "As we move forward in 2016, we should see the housing market continue to make lasting gains."