Sales of new homes probably increased in March for the first time in three months, indicating the market is struggling to stabilize, economists said before a report today. Purchases rose to a 318,000 annual rate, up 1.6 percent from 313,000 in February, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey of 77 economists. Other reports may show consumer confidence dropped for a second month and home prices decreased at a slower pace. Residential real estate remains a soft spot in the economy, challenged by stricter lending standards and more foreclosures, which depress property values. At the same time, an ... (full story)