AMGEN INC. HELPS BOOST HOME SALES : T.O. BIOTECH EMPLOYEES GIVE ECONOMY A PUSH, REPORT SHOWS.

Byline: R.A. Hutchinson Daily News Staff Writer

New employees at Amgen Inc. are among the buyers helping home sales in the Conejo Valley maintain a four-month streak of increases.

The Conejo Valley Association of Realtors reported 268 existing single-family homes sold last month compared with 174 sold in May 1995. The median price - the point at which half the homes sold for more and half for less - was $247,100 for the month, up slightly from $244,871 a year ago.

Ernest Siracusa, president of The Siracusa Co. in Westlake Village, said the overall strength of the local economy is buoying sales and stabilizing prices.

``In Ventura County we're getting evidence that the median prices have leveled off and may be inching upward,'' Siracusa said. ``We seem to have a stronger economy here in the county.''

In Thousand Oaks, for example, Amgen has been hiring hundreds of new workers to fill its biotechnology ranks. During the next two years the biotech giant expects to add 2,000 positions, ranging from maintenance mechanics to top scientists as the company develops new drugs. The anticipated increase will add nearly 50 percent to its 4,300-member work force.

Siracusa said the company's relocation and benefits packages are helping many new employees jump quickly into the local housing market.

``Amgen is definitely influencing the market in a very positive way. Many of the buyers are their new employees,'' he said.

Chris McClintock, president of the trade association, credited legislative movement in creating the California Earthquake Authority with easing fears about the availability of earthquake coverage in the state. A fear she believes could stall the state's real estate market.

Low mortgage interest rates also are a factor, she said. Santa Ana-based Mortgage News reports rates are about 8.222 percent for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage and about 6.152 percent for a one-year, adjustable-rate mortgage.

``If those two things are kept in check, this is very encouraging,'' McClintock said of the May figures.

Across the board, Conejo Valley home prices were more stable in May. According to the Realtors' report, 12 homes with one to two bedrooms sold for a median price of $160,000 in May compared with $150,000 a year earlier; 99 three-bedroom homes sold last month for $212,036, compared with the median price of $195,384 for 74 three-bedroom homes sold in May 1995.

The price, however, for larger homes remained lower at $295,000 for 157 four-bedroom or larger homes, compared with $331,249 for 91 homes of similar size sold the year before.

Siracusa, who said a better comparison can be made between 1996 and 1994 figures because of a significant setback in the market for 1995, notes that sales of condominiums added to the current year's improved showing.

Sales of attached homes totaled 87 in May compared with 47 a year ago and 59 in May 1994. Total sales for May were valued at $97.9 million, up from the $62.2 million in May 1995.

The report showed residential listings were 704 in May, up from 633 a year ago and 715 in April.

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