MERSEYSIDE’S biggest property auction house Sutton Kersh has raised more than £1.8m at its latest event, taking its 2010 total past the £21m mark.

At Liverpool city centre’s Marriott Hotel, Kersh sold 23 of the 44 lots on offer.

This took the total receipts from six auctions in 2010 to £21.3m – down from £24.3m in 2009.

Kersh director James Kersh said a shortage of quality stock had resulted in smaller catalogues.

At last week’s event, Mr Kersh described the atmosphere in the room as “subdued”.

There was significant pre-auction activity with 13 deals completing prior to the sale.

Many of those that sold did so for well in excess of their reserve prices.

Beacon Hill House, in Beaconsfield Road, in Woolton, was the opening lot of the day. Guided at £325,000, this redevelopment opportunity attracted “numerous” bidders and was eventually sold for £367,000.

This is the fifth consecutive year that the Liverpool auction house, which also has a London division, has managed to maintain its position as the best-performing auction house in Merseyside.

Mr Kersh said: “It has been a mixed year in the property market. There has been a shortage of quality auction lots and as a result our catalogues have been much smaller.

“A lack of finance continues to hamper activity and is slowing the speed of recovery.

“Investor presence has increased over the course of the year which is a positive sign.

“December is historically a quieter period in the housing market, so we are pleased with the result given the circumstances.

“I think the buoyant atmosphere at our September and October auctions is more indicative of where the market is.”