This Nov. 27, 2011 photo, shows a home with a sale pending sign in Palo Alto, Calif. The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes jumped in October to the highest level in

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This Nov. 27, 2011 photo, shows a home with a sale pending sign in Palo Alto, Calif. The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes jumped in October to the highest level in a year. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma) less