Pending home sales rose in February

More people looking for a house or condo found what they wanted last month.

The National Association of Realtors says pending sales of existing homes rose 3.1 percent in February, and contract signings were up 12 percent from a year ago. The harsh winter weather did mean a small decline in pending sales in the Northeast, but the decline was offset by strong sales in the West and Midwest.

Contract signings in February were the highest in almost two years.

“Pending sales showed solid gains last…