An estimated 428,000 new homes were sold in 2013, according to figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Last year, sales reached their highest level since 2008 and beat year-before figures by 16.4 percent. But despite the year-over-year improvements, December saw a 7 percent drop in sales from November’s revised rate of 445,000, marking the second consecutive month-over-month decline following a sales surge in October. Regionally, the Northeast and Midwest experienced double-digit decreases, indicating cold winter weather may have contributed to what is already a slow sales month, historically. The median sales price of new homes sold in December was $270,200; the average price was $311,400. Also, there were an estimated 171,000 new homes for sale at the end of December. That represents a 5-month supply at the current sales rate. More here.