<p>Persimmon has reported its private average sales rates being 2% higher year-on-year in an update covering the year so far.</p> <p>The volume housebuilder said that it was continuing to perform well, in line with expectations. At the same time it noted that it had started the year with a “relatively low number of outlets”, at around 290. The business is currently set to open around 75 new outlets during the first half of 2022, “subject to achieving timely planning consents”. </p> <p>Due to the lower number of outlets, Persimmon expects first half completions to be lower than those in H1 2021 – although only likely to fall “modestly short” - when it achieved <span>7,406 completions. Higher completions are anticipated in the second half as outlet numbers increase, with the business expecting to grow volumes for FY 2022 by <span>4-7% against 2021. Last year, it reported </span>14,551 completions.</span></p> <p><span>Persimmon’s current forward sales position, including year to date legal completions, stands at £2.8 billion against last year’s £3 billion. The average selling price for homes sold to private owner occupiers in the forward order book is around £266,000 (2021: c. £252,000).</span></p> <p><span>The company also pointed to signing the government’s fire safety pledge …