<p>A real estate sign announces a pending residential home sale in Framingham, Mass., Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010. The number of people who signed contracts to buy homes rose in November, the fourth increase since contract signings hit a low in June.</p>
January 2, 2011
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January 2, 2011 8 p.m.
Rise in signed contracts gives housing market lift
Fourth increase in five months
NEW YORK - People are starting to buy homes again, lifting a battered industry that is bracing for its worst sales year in more than a decade.