P.M. BRIEFING : Homes Sales in State Rise Slightly

California home sales rose slightly in July, ending a three-month slide, as buyers began responding to lower interest rates, the California Assn. of Realtors said today.

The rate of sales of existing single-family detached homes during July was up 0.9% over June, the trade group said. That rate had declined by 14.1% in April, 2.2% in May and 9.5% in July as high prices reduced the numbers and interest of potential buyers.

The median price of a home sold in July rose 1.1% to $202,650. It represented a 16.2% gain from the July, 1988, median price of $174,388.

Despite the statewide increase in sales, the rate fell in all of the major metropolitan areas. Sales rate gains were posted in the high desert, wine country and Northern California areas north of the Central Valley.

In Los Angeles, the July sales rate was off 4.1% while the median price was up 1% to $224,456. In Orange County, sales fell 12.8%, while the price was up 1.7% to $255,897.