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Lowe’s has agreed to buy an interior services provider for around $1.3 billion, the retailer’s latest effort to expand its footprint with professional contractors amid a soft housing market.

Buyers snapped up new U.S. homes over the past two months at the fastest pace in more than 12 years, adding to signs of sturdy housing demand amid lower prices and borrowing costs.

NEW YORK — Many small companies tied to the housing market are seeing a slowdown in business, one that’s forecast to continue well into 2020.

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø-price gains in 20 U.S. cities decelerated in July for a 16th straight month, as values proved still too elevated for buyers despite low mortgage rates.

Sales of new U.S. homes fell to a five-month low in May, adding to signs of weakness in the sector despite lower mortgage rates.

Sales of new U.S. homes unexpectedly rose in March to a 16-month high, with a third straight increase that reflects a boost from lower borrowing costs.

Sales of new U.S. homes rebounded to the best pace in almost a year and exceeded estimates in February, led by the Midwest, as lower mortgage costs helped buyers afford properties.

U.S. home sales slumped in December, while prices inched up slightly, marking the smallest annual increase since the end of the last housing crash in 2012, according to data from brokerage Redfin.

WASHINGTON — U.S. home sales rose in October, breaking a six-month losing streak. But sales remain down from a year ago, hurt by rising interest rates.

WASHINGTON — U.S. home sales fell for the sixth straight month in September, a sign that housing has increasingly become a weak spot for the economy.