New U.S. single-family home sales rose more than expected in November, reaching their highest level in four months, likely as expectations of higher mortgage rates drew buyers into the market. The Commerce Department said on Friday new home sales increased 5.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 592,000 units last month. October's sales pace was unrevised at 563,000 units. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast single-family home sales, which account for about 9.5 percent of overall home sales, rising 2.1 percent to a 575,000-unit rate last month. New home sales, which are derived from building ... (full story)