Sales of previously owned US homes surged in November, but revisions to data for the last four years showed the housing market recession was deeper than previously thought.

The National Association of Realtors said existing home sales increased 4.0 per cent month over month to an annual rate of 4.42 million units.

October's sales pace was revised down to a 4.25 million-unit pace, which was previously reported as a 4.97 million-unit rate.

Reuters