In a trading update, the builder reported it had hit sales targets for this year and had £508m in forward sales, 5% up on the same period last year.
So far Persimmon has opened 50 of the 60 sites planned this year, but said a “continued to focus on improving profitability and free cash generation”, which would see total UK sites remain stable at 375.
A 5% improvement in selling price during the second half would lift operating margin even higher from 12.1% earlier this year.
Persimmon said the cost of mortgage loans had recently reduced slightly as lenders access the Government’s Funding for Lending Scheme and pass the lower funding costs through to customers.
The take-up of the Government backed 5% deposit NewBuy mortgage product improved with Persimmon supporting moe than 450 customers to purchase a home with a NewBuy mortgage.
Persimmon also strengthened it land bank acquiring over 5,500 plots since the start of July. This included 1,600 plots in the South East with the acquisition of Hillreed Homes last month, adding to the 5,779 new plots acquired in the first half of 2012.