Home Sales Jump to Highest Levels in Two Years

September marked a sharp turnaround in the housing market, according to a report released Friday by the National Association of Realtors, CNN Money reports. Boosted by first-time home buyers, sales of previously owned homes rose 9.4 percent in September to the highest level since July 2007. An NAR chief economist said first-time buyers are responding to a special tax credit on their home purchase. The report shows sales were strongest in the western United States, which had a growth rate of 13 percent.