Sales of existing homes fell again last month as potential buyers continued to have trouble qualifying for financing, the National Association of Realtors reported this week.Sales fell 4.3 percent in August from the month before to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.5 million units. That’s 12.8 percent below the 6.31 million-unit rate in August 2006."The unusual disruption in the mortgage market, including a significant rise in jumbo loan rates, resulted in a fairly high number of postponed or cancelled sales, with many buyers having to search for other financing when loan commitments fell through," NAR senior economist Lawrence Yun said in a statement.The western region of the country took the biggest hit with existing home sales dropping 9.8 percent in August from the month prior. Sales were also down 21.7 percent from August 2006.Nationwide, the median home price — where half cost more and half cost less — was $224,500, on par with the same time last year. The total number of homes for sale also rose slightly in August.

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