<p> </p> <p>The number of private houses completed by Taylor Wimpey in the six months to the end of June was 12% up on last year according to a trading statement issued on July 7.</p> <p>The firm completed 4,755 private homes, 940 affordable homes (2013:930) and 71 jv homes (32). A significant proportion (42%) of the private completions were sold with the aid of the Help to Buy equity loan initiative.</p> <p>The firm expects operating profit margin to reach 16.1% in the period, up from 13.1% last year, and the average selling price on private completions was up 9% to £224,000 due to the firm's move towards better quality locations as well as the market improvement.</p> <p>The firm is operating from 308 sales outlets, down from 322 last year due to faster sales rates.</p> <p><strong>For all the latest housebuilding news and events visit <a href="http://www.house-builder.co.uk/">www.house-builder.co.uk</a></strong></p>