New home sales rise 3.7% in December, signaling promising spring home buying season

New home sales rose 3.7% in December 2018, according to the latest report from the Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale said some housing indicators, such as mortgage applications and pending home sales, are starting to show signs of life, suggesting that some thawing could be ahead as we approach spring home buying season.