Official figures showed property sales in the first half of this year were better than the previous six months. There were 54,822 sales and purchase agreements, up 42 per cent on the second half of last year, but down 22 per cent from the same period last year. Total consideration of these deals was HK$310 billion, up 42 per cent on the second half of last year, but down 16 per cent year-on-year.