Sales of new single-family houses in December 2005 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.269 million. This is 2.9 percent above the revised November rate of 1.233 and is 1.8 percent above the December 2004 estimate of 1.247 million.

?EUR??,,????'??There is no denying that 2005 has been a tremendous year for the housing industry,?EUR??,,????'?? said NAHB President David Pressly. ?EUR??,,????'??Very favorable interest rates and strong buyer demand has helped spur the housing market beyond the record sales set in 2004.?EUR??,,????'??

New-home sales across all regions for the year were mixed. Sales were up in the South by 13.3 percent and up in the West by 3.4 percent for 2005. Sales dropped in the Northeast and Midwest by 2.4 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively, for the year.

?EUR??,,????'??While new-home sales have been quite strong throughout 2005, we see a cooling of the market to a healthy and more sustainable pace in the months ahead, as substantiated by recent surveys of our builders,?EUR??,,????'?? said NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders. ?EUR??,,????'??For 2006, we expect to see a 6 percent to 7 percent drop in sales, but certainly no reason for alarm. This would make 2006 the second or third best year in housing history.?EUR??,,????'??