Fresh proof of a hot housing market nationwide

The National Association of Realtors has raised its forecast for home sales in 2005. The trade group now expects home sales to hit a record 8.13 million units this year, up 1.8 percent in 2004. The greater demand is due in large part to lower-than-expected mortgage rates. Of that 8.13 million, sales of previously owned homes are expected to reach nearly 7 million, another increase from 2004.more [WSJ]