Lennar New Home Orders Drop 15%

MIAMI-Lennar Corp. is reporting a decrease in preliminary new home orders for the second consecutive month. The Miami-based homebuilder reported 1,612 new home orders for the month ended Oct. 31, compared with 1,907 preliminary new home orders for the same month in 2000.

In September, the homebuilder reported a 22% decrease in new home orders, 1,498, down from 1,921 for the same month last year. For the month ended Aug. 30, Lennar reported a 7% increase in new home orders, 1,873, up from 1,734 for the same period in 2000.

Over the nine months ended Aug. 30, the homebuilder is reporting a 55% increase in new home sales, 19,183, up from 12,400 for the same period in 2000.