Sales of property in the USA could be about to rise, according to new research by the National Association of Realtors (Nar).

Figures for pending sales – which are based on contracts signed prior to the transaction being completed – increased in February, with the index for this rising 2.1 per cent from 80.4 to 82.1 during the month.

The index reading suggests that housing activity is on the rise and Nar noted that the figure comes at a time when the affordability of property in the USA has increased, with mortgage payments in February standing at 14.4 per cent of the average income.

This compares with the reading of 14.5 per cent in January and the most recent peak of 21.2 per cent in July 2008.

Such trends may encourage those keen to buy affordable property in the USA with the potential for a market recovery soon.

The news comes in the wake of recent expressions of optimism about the wider economy in the USA, with Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke predicting that the country could be out of recession by the end of 2009.

Visit Rightmove Overseas for the best selection of property in the USA. Stop dreaming, start searching!