WASHINGTON, July 25, 2008 (AFP) - New home sales in the US fell 0.6 percent in June but the pace was better than expected, reflecting a sharp upward revision in May data, the government reported Friday.

The Commerce Department said new home sales slipped to a seasonally adjusted rate of 530,000 units in June, marking a 33.2 percent decline from June 2007.

Analysts' consensus forecast had expected a sales pace of 505,000 units.

The Commerce Department significantly revised upward the sales rate in May, to 533,000 units from 512,000 units.