SALES of new U.S. single-family homes surged to a seven-month high in November, boosting an acute shortage of previously owned homes on the market, but soaring house prices are an obstacle for first-time buyers.

New home sales increased 12.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 744,000 units last month, the highest level since April, the U.S. Commerce Department said. October’s sales pace was revised down to 662,000 units from the previously reported 745,000 units.

Sales rose in the densely populated south as well as in the west and northeast, but fell in the midwest.

Economists polled previously had forecast new home sales, which account for more than 10 percent of U.S. home sales, rising to a rate of 770,000 units.

Sales dropped 14 percent on a year-on-year basis in November. They peaked at a rate of 993,000 units in January, which was the highest since the end of 2006.

The National Association of Realtors said last week that the inventory of previously owned homes fell to an eight-month low in November.

The median new house price accelerated 18.8 percent in November to US$416,900 from a year ago. There were 402,000 new homes on the market, up from 392,000 units in October.

Houses under construction made up 62.9 percent of the inventory, with homes yet to be built accounting for about 27.4 percent.

There is a record backlog of houses authorized for construction but not yet started, according to government data published last week. Builders are struggling with worker shortages, expensive materials and delays getting supplies.

At November’s sales pace it would take 6.5 months to clear the supply of houses on the market, down from 7.1 months in October.(SD-Agencies)