Home sales on the rise in Riverside County

Home sales in Riverside County rose last month while median prices were unchanged, according to data released today by a real estate tracking firm.

A total 3,643 new and existing homes and condominiums were sold countywide in August, compared to 3,288 in July -- an 11 percent increase, according to La Jolla-based DataQuick. (Diana Parkhouse)

A total 3,643 new and existing homes and condominiums were sold countywide in August, compared to 3,288 in July — an 11 percent increase, according to La Jolla-based DataQuick.

The median home price was $190,000 — equal to July’s number. Compared to a year ago, home sales in Riverside County were up 4.7 percent, and prices were down roughly 5 percent, DataQuick reported.

A total 19,654 new and existing homes and condos were sold throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties — 8.6 percent more than in July and 6 percent above the year-ago level, according to DataQuick.

“Scratch beneath the surface, and there’s not a lot to cheer about this month,” said DataQuick President John Walsh.

“Home sales were up from a year earlier but remained far below average. Many would-be buyers can’t find financing, and others who want to make a move now are stuck because they owe more than their homes are worth,” he said. “Financial markets are increasingly choppy, the political outlook is incredibly murky and consumer confidence remains poor. Needless to say, it’s not an environment ripe for stabilizing the housing market.”

Figures showed that median homes prices in Southern California have declined for the last two months and have been down year-over-year for the last six months.