Sutton Kersh records best auction since 2009

The Merseyside auction house raised £3m at its latest sale, with 54 out of 89 lots sold, or 65%, the best result since June 2009.

High levels of pre auction activity resulted in 19 properties being sold prior to the auction. A further 35 lots were then sold in the room.

The auction started well with seven of the opening nine lots being sold. Lot 1, a development opportunity on Hartington Road in Toxteth, proved to be the star lot of the day selling for almost double its guide price. The substantial three-storey property comprising three self-contained flats, and a plot of land to the side was highlighted as being suitable for redevelopment. The property was guided at £50,000 and achieved £95,000.

The bargain lot of the day was a three-bedroom terraced property on Crocus Street in Anfield. Described as being in need of full repair and modernisation and having severe structural defects, the property was guided at £5,000 and sold in the room for £16,500.

A mixed-used investment property on Knowsley Road in Bootle also sold for in excess of its guide price. The mid terraced building comprises two vacant shop units on the ground floor and two, two-bedroom flats on the upper floor. Guided at £40,000 to £45,000 it was sold in the room for £65,500.

Cathy Holt, auction manager at Sutton Kersh, said: "I am delighted with the result. It was encouraging to see so many investors in attendance and so many competitive bidding wars. There is still an air of caution, but generally there is a good level of interest for properties that are guided at the right price."

Sutton Kersh will hold its next auction on 25 May at the Hilton Hotel in Liverpool One.