More evidence of a stabilising housing market comes with housebuilders continuing to report increased activity since the start of the year. Taylor Wimpey’s UK order book rose 67% to £938 million from the end of last year, whilst Bovis Homes’ reservations leapt 92% during the first half of this year. Persimmon’s visitor levels over the six months to 30 June 2009 had “exceeded those of last year” and its forward sales including completions since 1 July 2009 climbed 9% to £910 million, compared to 2008’s £836 million. Group chairman for Persimmon John White commented that UK selling prices had recently stabilised. “We expect sales to remain resilient due to the successful destocking that has occurred in the industry combined with the continuing good levels of underlying demand for new homes in the UK,” he said. <br>