BREAKING NEWS:

Southern California home sales were slower last month than in any March in the last two decades, according to numbers released this morning by the research firm DataQuick.

The firm reported that the number of homes sold dropped 41.4% in Southern California and 46.9% in Orange County from the same month a year ago. Median home prices also fell 23.8% and 19.6%, respectively.

March was the seventh straight month in which the region posted record-low home sales for that calendar month. The Southland saw more home sales in March than it did in February, but the increase of 18.1% was far below the average jump of 38%.

Specific numbers for Newport-Mesa were not available this morning.

MICHAEL MILLER may be reached at (714) 966-4617 or at michael.miller@latimes.com.