SMALL RELIEF: A continuing decline in housing sales (D5) meant prices fell in November compared to a year ago. The price dip was the biggest in the Southland, but the average price of a home here is still highest in the region. November's average sales price was $225,000 in Los Angeles County and $189,116 in San Diego County. Because of Orange County's high prices, a recent decline in mortgage rates (A1) is not expected to do much to improve local homes sales.

OC HOME PRICES

A sales slump has sent average prices skidding relative to last year. \o7 In thousands of dollars.\f7 Nov., 1989: $246.4 Oct., 1990: $236.4 Nov., 1990: $239.7 \o7 Source: TRW Real Estate Information Services.\f7