Taylor Wimpey boss says second-time buyer demand has strengthened

Taylor Wimpey has seen strong customer demand for homes

(Taylor Wimpey)

Second-time buyer demand has strengthened, housebuilder Taylor Wimpey said on Thursday as the value of its forward order book reached £2.8 billion.

As at April 18 the firm’s order book comprised 10,995 homes customers have agreed to buy, up from 10,853 homes at £2.7 billion a year earlier.

Taylor Wimpey chief executive Pete Redfern told the Evening Standard the firm has observed more second-time buyer demand than pre-Covid.

He said: “In previous years we have seen examples of homeowners taking a longer time to decide to sell, or putting off moves for longer – whether that be nervousness, costs of moving or changes in behaviour. Over the last year a number of these people have evaluated their housing circumstances and are confident that market conditions and selling prices are resilient, and they are deciding to get on with it.”

The company also continues to see good demand from first-time buyers.

Taylor Wimpey said: “The UK housing market has remained healthy in 2021, underpinned by continued strong customer demand, low interest rates, good mortgage availability and ongoing Government support, particularly for first time buyers.”

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