Housebuilders continued to release positive trading statements to the City in November.<br> <br> Cala Group returned to profit for the first time since 2007, posting a pre-tax profit of £2 million against last year's £27 million loss. The firm said that its recovery was chiefly a result of a 45% increase in home sales to 649 over the 12 months to June 2011.<br> <br> Persimmon has experienced a surge in first time buyers since July, up 35% year on year. It said it was starting to take reservations from buyers keen to participate in the government's FirstBuy shared equity scheme.<br> <br> Private forward sales for Barratt were up 27.4% from July to November 2011 against the previous year, with average weekly net private reservations climbing 25.9%.<br> <br> Taylor Wimpey has been enjoying increased sales since July as the firm continues its drive to achieve double digit operating margin next year. The firm is averaging 0.55 sales per outlet per week, compared with 0.47 a year ago.<br> <br> Redrow's new home reservations are up 1% annually since June, however their value is up 14%, and Redrow achieved average selling prices well ahead of 2010.