The U.S. Commerce Department released new home sales data on Tuesday. New home sales climbed 11.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 481,000 units in December from 431,000 units in November.
November's figure was revised down from 438,000 units.
Analysts had expected new home sales to reach 450,000 units.
Overall for 2014, 435,000 units has been sold compared with 429,000 in 2013.