New Report Shows Decrease in San Diego County Home Sales

Home sales in San Diego County dropped 0.5 percent in April, compared to the same month a year ago, MDA DataQuick reported on Thursday.

A total of 3,277 homes changed hands locally last month, compared to 3,292 in April 2010, according to the real estate information service. The median price of a home in San Diego County in April was $321,750, down 1.1 percent from $325,250 in April 2010.

A total of 18,344 new and resale houses and condos sold in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Ventura, San Bernardino and Orange counties in April, according to DataQuick. That was down 5.5 percent from 19,412 in March, and down 9.2 percent from 20,205 in April 2010. April also marked the 10th consecutive month in which Southland sales fell year-over-year.

"The market's in a rut at a time it would normally be building momentum,'' DataQuick President John Walsh said.  "Two of the more likely forces that could get it going again are more robust job growth and home price reductions. At the moment, the latter appears to be the more likely short-term catalyst.

"Sales have been far below average for quite a while and there's little doubt there's pent-up demand out there. But too many people still aren't in the mood or in a position to buy.''

The median price for a Southern California home was $280,000 last month, down 0.2 percent from $280,000 in March, and down 1.8 percent from $285,000 in April 2010, according to DataQuick.

City News Service contributed to this report.