The Pending Home Sales Index, based on contracts signed in October, slipped 1.7 percent to a reading of 107.2 and is 13.2 percent lower than October 2005. The index had trended up from a cyclical low of 105.6 in July, and a decline from year-ago levels is narrowing. In September, the index was 13.6 percent below a year earlier, while in August the decline was 14.0 percent.

David Lereah, NAR?EUR??,,????'???s chief economist, said a fairly steady pace of home sales can be expected for the next two months.

?EUR??,,????'??It?EUR??,,????'???s important to focus on where the housing market is now ?EUR??,,????'??? it appears to be stabilizing, and comparisons with an unsustainable boom mask the fact that home sales remain historically high ?EUR??,,????'??? they?EUR??,,????'???ll stay that way through 2007,?EUR??,,????'?? he said. ?EUR??,,????'??In addition, a temporary correction in prices distracts from the fact that it is primarily the number of home sales that affects the economy, and the number for this year will be the third highest on record.?EUR??,,????'??

The index is a leading indicator for the housing sector, based on pending sales of existing homes. A sale is listed as pending when the contract has been signed and the transaction has not closed, but the sale usually is finalized within one or two months of signing.