Sales of Bovis and Barratt homes fell in the first half of the year continuing the downward trend set by other housebuilders. Bovis reported a 16% drop in sales and a 10% drop in prices to an average of £179,800 and said it was unlikely to meet its target of 1,100 more reservations before the end of the year. Chief executive Malcolm Harris said: “There has been no discernable improvement in transaction activity in the housing market since the election.” In a trading update Barratt said that its forward sales on 1 July stood at £774 million, down from £880 million in 2004. The statement said that Barratt “anticipate little or no growth in completions” if there is no uplift in activity in the autumn or next spring. Barratt’s total completions rose in the first half by 2% with an average selling price of £170,000 also up by 2%. The company said: “The medium and longer term fundamentals of the housing market remain sound, bolstered by a continuing serious shortage of new homes due to the present planning system.”