Unexpected Increase in Existing Homes SalesKey housing indicators gave off mixed signals on the health of the current housing market this past week. Existing home sales data in the beginning of the week hinted that the housing market may have turned the corner, squeezing out a small gain in February. It was the first time since July that existing home sales posted a monthly increase in annualized sales while reaching its fastest sales pace since October. While the gain was unexpected, it unfortunately is not enough on its own to be an indication of market stabilization. Meanwhile, the Commerce Department dampened the mood as they reported later in the week that new home sales fell for the fourth consecutive month in February. While new homes data is typically revised due to large sampling and statistical errors, the contradicting movement between new and existing home sales suggests the market remains unstable.