SoCal home prices, sales at 2011 high

The median price paid for a Southern California home rose in June to its highest level this year so far, rising to $285,000, DataQuick Information Systems reported Tuesday.

Last months median or price at the midpoint of all sales still was down 5% from a year ago, but was 15.4% higher from the post-recession low of $247,000 in the spring of 2009. Post-recession prices got as high as $305,000 a year ago, but sagged as state and federal stimulus programs were phased out.

DataQuick also reported that Southland home sales spiked to their highest level since June 2010, with 20,532 houses, condos and townhomes changing hands in the region last month.

Last months sales increased 11.6% from May, but still were down 14% from the year before.

The housing market remains dysfunctional and lopsided, just somewhat less so than it was a few months or a year ago, DataQuick President John Walsh said in a news release. The market mix indicates that a lot of potential buyers either are stuck, for lack of equity, or spooked.

Regionwide, DataQuick figures show also:

Real Estate Market