Summary Box: Investors drive March home sales

WASHINGTON – HOME SALES RISE: Sales of previously occupied homes in March rose 3.7 percent from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.1 million, the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday.

FORECLOSURES A BIG SLICE: Foreclosures and short sales — when a lender agrees to accept less than what is owed on the mortgage — rose to make up 40 percent of all purchases.

INVESTORS APLENTY: All-cash deals made up 35 percent of sales, a sign of investor activity. Sales of homes priced under $100,000 have risen 10 percent over the past year, while mid-priced re-sales have fallen.