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.

Sales of new houses and apartments were at their lowest level since March.

The Commerce Department significantly revised upward the pace of May new home sales, to 533,000 units from 512,000 units.

The median price of a new home fell 2.0 percent in June from a year ago to 230,900 dollars, but was up 1.4 percent from May, the department said.

The number of new homes for sale dropped 5.3 percent to 426,000 units, a 10-month supply at the June sales pace. In May, inventory stood at a 10.4-month rate.

The South was the hardest hit in June, as sales tumbled 2.0 percent to their lowest level since May 1995.

Sales in the West were off 0.9 percent to their slowest pace since September 1982.

The Northeast saw the strongest sales, up 5.3 percent, while in the Midwest sales climbed 2.5 percent.