PRICE TAG ON VALLEY HOMES UP 34%.

Byline: Charles F. Bostwick Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Antelope Valley's average home sales prices jumped 34 percent, with the biggest price increases in Lake Los Angeles and Leona Valley, an economic development organization said.

Although house prices have doubled in most areas of the Antelope Valley since 1990, they remain about half the average Valencia home price, the Greater Antelope Valley Economic Alliance said.

``Both Palmdale and Lancaster are very affordable alternatives to the Santa Clarita Valley,'' said board chairman Harvey Holloway.

The home price figures were among statistics included in the organization's 2005 economic round-table report, which is intended to provide financial, demographic and quality of life information sought by corporate executives looking for places to relocate or expand their companies.

Valleywide, the average 2004 sales price was $224,588, up 34 percent from 2003, according to a review of county records.

The highest-price homes were in Leona Valley and West Palmdale, at average 2004 sales prices of $361,389 and $327,122, respectively, up 40 percent and 33 percent.

Lake Los Angeles prices jumped 41 percent to $176,669.

The lowest average sales prices were in Mojave and California City, at $118,074, up 34 percent from the year before.

New home sales were up 47 percent last year to 1,240 houses sold, at an average price of $328,831 each.

West Palmdale had led the region in new home sales in 2003, but dropped to third place last year behind West Lancaster and East Palmdale.

West Lancaster new home sales more than tripled from 127 in 2003 to 562 in 2004. East Palmdale new home sales jumped from 204 to 329.

West Palmdale home sales declined from 446 in 2003 to 293 in 2004.

East Lancaster new home sales in 2004 numbered 56, down 13 percent.

Charles F. Bostwick, [phone]

chuck.bostwick(at)dailynews.com