would add to our inventory of units. Rental income increased by $190,836 or 9.74% for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 compared with the same period ended June 30, 2009. The increase is attributable to marketing strategies implemented in 2010 to maintain and improve occupancy at prevailing rental rates.
Cost of properties sold amounted to $2,970,966 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 compared to $2,655,150 for the same period of 2009. The cost of properties sold increased by $315,816 or 11.89%.
Selling expenses decreased by $199,152 or 87.73% to $27,843 for the six-months ended June 30, 2010 from $226,995 for the same period of 2009. The main reason for this decrease was because of reduced advertising expense.
General and administrative expenses decreased by $411,989 or 31.22% to $907,780 for the six month period ended June 30, 2010 from $1,319,769 for the same period of 2009. During the first six months of 2010 the Company was not engaged in any significant project development activity compared to the development activity in the first six months of 2009, which resulted in a reduction of staff and allowed the Company to implement other cost-cutting measures.
Depreciation expense increased by $3,167 or 3.46% to $94,792 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 from $91,626 for the same period of 2009. The increase was due to new equipment purchased after the first half year of 2009 that is being depreciated in subsequent periods, including 2010.
The project that generated land leveling income in 2009 ended, so no similar income was generated in 2010. Consequently, $2,126,358 of land leveling income recognized in the first half of 2009 did not recur in the first half of 2010.
The other income decreased by $214,986 or 68.45% to $99,093 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 from $314,079 for the same period of 2009. The decrease was primarily the result of lower penalties charged to tenants and customers for their late payments.
Interest and finance costs remained stable in amount. These costs dropped to $976,447 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 from $969,422 for the same period of 2009, reflecting a decrease of $7,025 or 0.72%.
Net cash used in operating activities for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 amounted to $1,567,834, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $1,788,516 for the same period in 2009. Less cash was generated from operations in the first six months of 2010 primarily because land leveling income recognized in the first half of 2009 did not recur in the first half of 2010.
Net cash used in investing activities for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 was $56,722, compared to that provided by investing activities for the same period of 2009, which amounted to $46,203. This change was primarily the result of new equipment purchases in 2010 and the absence of cash flow from investment in construction and development activities.
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