Housebuilder Persimmon warned that consumer confidence remains fragile, despite an encouraging increase in both interest and sales at its developments.
The group said it had boosted its figures by 7% during the first six months of 2013, completing on 5,022 homes so far this year.
Showhome visitor numbers were 13% stronger than the year before, it added, as the improved availability of mortgage finance led to buoyancy in the market.
Persimmon, which is marketing developments in Dundee, Kelty, Doune, Larbert and at three sites in Dunfermline, said government schemes designed to boost lending had led to improving conditions for buyers, adding that it expected more affordable mortgage products to be launched in the coming weeks.
In a pre-close statement ahead of the publication of interim results next month, Persimmon said it expected its underlying operating margin to have increased to around 15% during the first half meeting a 2015 target 18 months ahead of time.
It has invested £240m in its landbank, and now holds 70,500 consented plots, while £228m has been returned to investors under a capital return plan.
Cash at hand totalled around £45m at the end of the interim period.
“In the context of the wider economic challenges consumer confidence remains fragile,” the company said.
“However, we remain focussed on the delivery of the planned further growth of Persimmon and the successful execution of our long-term strategy.”