Sales of new homes in California slipped again in June, according to the latest report from the state's builders.
The monthly report from Hanley Wood Building Intelligence for the California Building Industry Association found that statewide, new-home sales were down 36% in June, when 2,454 deals on single-family houses and condominiums went to settlement. Last June, 3,848 closings were recorded.
However, sales rose 2.7% from May, when 2,399 new units were sold.
Year over year, single-family home sales fell 17% and townhouse sales fell 57%. Condo sales declined by 67%. Jonathan Dienhart, director of published research for Hanley Wood, in Costa Mesa, Calif., said the figures for June were a continuation of the most recent downward slump in housing.
"We're still in the doldrums," Dienhart said. "The summer of 2010 is looking to be an extended hangover from the federal tax credit expiration and ongoing economic strife."
Liz Snow, the trade group's president, said she was encouraged by the May-to-June increase in sales.
But the association's members "continue to struggle" because of the poor employment market, Snow said.
