Purchases of new homes in the U.S. fell more than forecast in December, ending the industry’s best year since 2008 on a sour note. Sales decreased 7 percent to a 414,000 annualized pace, lower than any estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg, after a 445,000 rate in November that was weaker than previously calculated, the Commerce Department reported today in Washington. For all of 2013, demand jumped 16.4 percent to 428,000, the most in five years. The housing rebound has cooled as bad weather slowed the market and as buyers adjust to higher borrowing costs and rising property values, which have hurt ... (full story)