THE ECONOMY

* April sales of existing single-family detached homes in California dropped 7.5% to a seasonably adjusted annualized rate of 493,110, down from 532,900 a year ago, according to the California Assn. of Realtors. Nationally, the April sales pace dipped to 5.2 million units, down 6.9% compared with a year ago, according to the National Assn. of Realtors. The median price paid for an existing single-family home in California jumped to a record $241,600, up 11.6% from $216,490 in the same period a year ago. Ventura County led the region with a 19.3% increase. Prices in San Diego County rose 16%; Orange County, 15%; Riverside and San Bernardino counties, 6%; and Los Angeles County, 4%.