Sales of existing U.S. homes rose 4.5% in April to a record seasonally adjusted annual rate of 7.18 million, the National Association of Realtors said. Economists had expected sales to be about flat at 6.88 million. The inventory of unsold homes rose 5% to 2.48 million, representing a 4.2-month supply. The median sales price rose 15.1% on a year-over-year basis to $206,000, the fastest year-over-year price gain in 25 years.