The monthly home sales activity report issued by DataQuick News sparks a flurry of newspaper articles, broadcast commentary and internet discussion. As a snapshot of the housing market, it depicts what transpired last month and compares it to a snapshot taken at the same time a year ago.

Like a snapshot taken on vacation, it doesn't tell the whole story. There are so many variables in real estate, it's hard to pin the housing market down. The price of gasoline, jobs lost and found, family issues, personal triumphs and losses - all play a role in our individual housing decisions. Recent sales prices and the number of homes available help buyers gauge the local market. Changing seasons also affect the housing market, which is why DataQuick News compares sales during any month to sales in the same month a year earlier.

DataQuick News on home sale activity shows median home prices in April 2008 rose in Claremont and San Dimas, but continued to slip in eight other cities western San Bernardino and eastern Los Angeles countes.  The sales included single-family homes, condominiums/town homes and newly constructed homes.

Median sales prices in March 2008 are included here to give you a better understanding of local market conditions. Just remember, two snapshots still can't give you a 360-degree view.

DataQuick also reports sales in each city by zip code. Those statistics for these and other California cities are available online at www.dqnews.com.

Chino: A total of 53 homes were reported sold in April 2008 for a median price of $435,500, a 12.9 percent drop from the median price of $500,000 in April 2007. In March 2008, 65 homes sold for a median price of $361,000.

Claremont: A total of 19 homes were reported sold in April 2008 for a median price of $550,000, an 8.59 percent increase from the median price of $506,500 in April 2007. In March 2008, 35 homes were reported sold for a median price of $635,000.

Fontana: A total of 162 homes were reported sold in April 2008 for a median price of $315,000, a 29.77 percent drop from the median price of $448,500 in April 2007. In March 2008, 137 homes were reported sold for a median price of $333,000.

La Verne: A total of 19 homes were reported sold in April 2008 for a median price of $450,000, a 29.13 percent drop from the median price of $635,000 in April 2007. In March 2008, 16 homes were reported sold for a median price of $530,000.

Montclair: A total of 17 homes were reported sold in April 2008 for a median price of $350,000, a 9.56 percent drop from the median price of $387,000 in April 2007. In March 2008, 10 homes were reported sold for a median price of $297,000.

Ontario: A total of 75 homes were reported sold in April 2008 for a median price of $300,000, a 23.08 percent drop from the median price of $390,00 in April 2007. In March 2008, 60 homes were reported sold for a median price of $280,000.

Pomona: A total of 68 homes were reported sold in April 2008 for a median price of $270,000, a 34.86 percent drop from the median price of $414,500 in April 2007. In March 2008, 47 homes were reported sold for a median price of $299,000.

Rancho Cucamonga: A total of 129 homes were reported sold in April 2008 for a median price of $393,000, a 18.13 percent drop from the median price of $480,000 in April 2007. In March 2008, 134 homes were reported sold for a median price of $401,750.

San Dimas: A total of 15 homes were reported sold in April 2008 for a median price of $500,000, a 1.01 percent increase from the median price of $495,000 in April 2007. In March 2008, 14 homes were reported sold for a median price of $445,000.

Upland: A total of 34 homes were reported sold in April 2008 for a median price of $447,500, a 20.8 percent drop from the median price of $565,000 in April 2007. In March 2008, 32 homes were reported sold for a median price of $465,000.