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Sales of existing homes unexpectedly rose in February by the largest amount in nearly three years, but analysts expressed fears that the recovery for the battered housing industry will be slowed by spreading troubles in mortgage lending. The National Association of Realtors reported Friday that sales of existing homes rose 3.9 percent last month. It was the biggest increase since a similar increase in March 2004. The increase pushed sales up to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.69 million units, still 3.6 percent lower than a year ago. Sales fell 8.5 percent for all of last year as housing hit a sharp slowdown after setting sales records for five straight years. More…