Taylor Wimpey prices on the up

HOUSEBUILDER Taylor Wimpey yesterday said underlying sale prices were up by about 4 per cent following "gradual improvements" in mortgage availability and buyer confidence.

The firm has already achieved 99 per cent of targeted sales for the first half of the year and 74 per cent for the full-year as forward orders pick up.

Taylor said total prices leapt by about 9 per cent since the start of the year, although this was partly due to a change in the mix of property types sold.