Housebuilders continue to make steady progress as their latest trading updates reveal.<br> <br> Galliford Try is seeing "continued momentum" in the housebuilding market, particularly in the south of England. Over the six months to December 31 2012, its housebuilding arm achieved a "record" 1,364 units against 1,352 last year. <br> <br> Reporting on the six months ending January 31 2013, Bellway said its sales rate rose 5.8% to 2,597 homes.<br> <br> Persimmon's pre-tax profit rose 52% to £225.1 million in 2012, with legal completions up 6% to 9,903. The firm's forward sales stand at more than £1 billion, a 9% increase on last year. During the first eight weeks of 2013, Bovis made 350 private reservations, an increase of 9% on the first two months of 2012.<br> <br> Bovis also announced the retirement of its nonexecutive chairman Malcolm Harris in November 2013. Harris took the position in 2008 after a career at Bovis.