THE number of people who signed contracts to buy homes in the United States rose in November, the fourth hike since deal signings hit a low in June.

The US National Association of Realtors yesterday said its index of sales agreements for previously occupied homes rose 3.5 percent last month from a downwardly revised reading in October. Contract signings were up in the West and Northeast, but down in the South and Midwest.

Signings are 22.1 percent above June's index reading, which was the lowest level since the private group began tracking the data in 2001. Still, signings are 5 percent lower than November 2009 when buyers were scrambling to close purchases to qualify for the first federal tax credit.