Pending home sales climbed in April, the third straight month of rising sales. The number of homes going under contract for sale rose 1.4 percent compared with the previous month, surpassing economist forecasts for a one percent gain. Sales are up 3.2percent year over year, according to the National Association of Realtors. The better-than-expected result signals measured buyer demand despite economic uncertainty and rising mortgage rates. The increase reflects contracted sales that will typically close 30 to 45 days later, providing a forward-looking indicator of the broader housing market. Regional performance was uneven: the Northeast led with a 6.6 percent monthly gain, the Midwest posted a 3.0 percent increase, and the West edged up just 0.4 percent. The South contracted 0.7 percent month over month. “Buyers are coming out with cautious optimism despite increasing economic uncertainty and a slight rise in mortgage rates,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun in a statement. “Demand will easily be even higher once mortgage rates retreat to the levels they were at earlier this year.” The regional picture shows sharp disparities. On a year-over-year basis, pending sales rose in the Midwest, South, and West, but fell in the Northeast. The Northeast’s strong month-over-month showing

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