Home sales in July in Southern California were higher than in any month for the past 
three years, and the pace was quicker than any month since December 2006. As sales 
jumped by more than 10% in all but one of the six counties in the area, prices 
fell by more than ten percent.  More than 24k residential properties were 
sold in July in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Ventura, 
San Bernardino, and Venturacombined. This in an almost 19% rise 
from July 2008. The increase in sales represents the 13th consecutive 
month with rising sales.