Sales of new, single-family houses rose 7.3 percent in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 323,000 units, compared with March’s rate of 301,000 units, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and HUD. On a year-over-year basis, sales of new, single-family homes declined 23.1 percent.

The median sales price of new houses sold in April 2011 was $217,900, and the average sales price was $268,900. The seasonally adjusted estimate of new houses for sale at the end of April was 175,000, representing a 6.5-month supply.

C.A.R.