According to the Census Bureau, the number of new homes sold rose 2 percent in November, taking the metric to a 7-month high.

If you plan to buy of new construction in 2012, don't expect today's low prices. Like everything in housing of late, the market for newly-built homes appears to be improving.

According to the Census Bureau, the number of new homes sold slid for the fourth straight month in August, easing 2 percent from July. On a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis, home buyers bought 295,000 newly-built homes last month.

Sales of newly-built homes slipped in July, falling 1 percent as compared to June. Home buyers closed on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized 298,000 units, the lowest reading since February.