County Leads Southland in Home Sales, Average Price

Orange County led Southern California last month in annual home sale gains, according to statistics released Monday by TRW Redi Property Data.

Sales of new and previously owned homes here increased 2.9% above the number sold in September, 1990, compared to a 2% gain in Los Angeles County and to decreases in Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.

Orange County held onto the dubious honor of leading Southern California with the highest average home sales price, at $245,988--little changed from last September’s $246,022. Average prices of homes sold in Los Angeles and Riverside counties fell 1.4% and 2.8%, respectively, and rose 2.6% and 4.1% in San Bernardino and San Diego counties.

In Orange County, 3,472 homes sold in September this year, down 17.8% from 4,226 homes in August but up from 3,373 homes sold in September, 1990.

For all of Southern California, home sales dropped 4.1% from September to September, and the average sales price eked up 1.1% to $210,411.

TRW Redi compiles information from deeds and mortgages on record in more than 300 counties nationwide.