Well, here’s a change: Today, I bring good news. Sales of existing homes actually increased in July, reaching their highest level in five months, according to the National Association of Realtors.

The sales of existing homes — which includes single-famiy homes, condominiums, townhouses and co-ops — fell 2.66 percent in June. This puts yearly sales down 15.5 percent, so far, from last year. And remember that everyone thought last year was a terrible one for home sales?

The National Association of Realtors last week released their latest home-sales data. For once, there was some good news. But, of course, the report contained a lot of bad news, too.

Then the housing slump came. And California is now suffering more than any other state.

The National Association of Realtors on Jan. 24 released the news that anyone trying to sell a home already knows: Housing sales were down in 2007.

Homeowners with “For Sale” signs in their front yards can tell you everything you need to know about the residential real estate market: It’s tough to move a home.