The pace of new home sales in the US rose by 2.7 per cent last month – a much better figure than forecast by economists - as low prices fostered a flurry of activity in the stricken US housing market amid an intensifying financial crisis.

New home sales rose to an annualised rate of 464,000 units after dropping by a steep 12.3 per cent in August, the US commerce department said on Monday. The inventory of unsold homes also dropped, from 11.4 months’ supply in August to 10.4 months’ supply last month. The median sale price for a new home fell to $218,400, its lowest level in four years.