By Joyce Teo, Property Correspondent

AUCTION sales have surged in the first half of this year, with the number of transactions dramatically higher than what was clocked up last year.

The numbers tell a story of a property market rapidly gaining in confidence, especially in recent months, according to consultancy Colliers International yesterday.

Sales in the first half reached $72.39 million. That is 61 per cent up on the $45 million recorded in the second half of last year, and 87 per cent higher than the $38.64 million racked up in the same period a year ago.

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