Sales of new single-family homes in the United States jumped 2.7% in September from August, the U.S. Commerce Department reported today.

But the median price fell to US$218,400, the lowest level in four years.

Commerce said there was a seasonally adjusted 464,000 homes sold in September, 33% below the 694,000 sold in September 2007.

The increase was a surprise because economists had expected a decline from the August level. But U.S. existing home sales also rose in September, by 5.5%, the U.S. National Association of Realtors said Friday.

Buyers may have been taking advantage of lower prices.

The September gain was driven by an increase of almost 23% in the U.S. West, to 108,000 units, up from 88,000 in August. But that is still far below the 174,00 houses sold in the West in September 2007.