The Presley Cos.: The Newport Beach home...

The Presley Cos.: The Newport Beach home builder reported a net loss of $3.2 million, or 6 cents a share, for the third quarter, contrasted with net income of $683,000, or 1 cent a share, a year ago. Sales declined 14% to $68.3 million from $79.6 million. For the nine-month period, a net loss of $82.2 million, or $1.58 a share, was posted, compared with a net loss of $1.3 million, or 2 cents a share, for the like three quarters of 1996.

The company said the year-to-date 1997 net loss includes a noncash charge of $74 million from writing down the value of real estate assets. Sales rose 5% to $233.7 million from $222.8 million.

The company reported declines in new home orders, closings and backlog for the third quarter. Presley said it has completed or nearly completed older master-planned communities, and encountered delays in new land acquisitions.