The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released pending home sales figures on Thursday. The U.S. pending home sales rose 3.3% in July, exceeding expectations for a 0.6% gain, after a 1.3% fall in June. June's figure was revised down from a 1.1% decline.
That was the highest level since August 2013.
NAR reported that low mortgage rates, moderating home-price growth and more homes for sale were supporting sales.