Taylor Wimpey is the latest housebuilder to bring good news to the City, announcing that its pre-tax profit leapt 106% to £185.3 million in 2012.<br> During the year ending December 31 2012, Taylor Wimpey’s completions rose 7% to 10,886, of which 8,842 homes were private completions (2011: 8,075). The firm’s private average selling price increased 6.5% to £197,000 from 2011’s £185,000, due to the “enhanced quality” of the company’s chosen locations.<br> Taylor Wimpey’s net private reservation rate rose from 0.54 homes per outlet per week in 2011 to 0.58 last year. During 2012, it sold from an average of 311 outlets (2011: 305).<br> At the end of 2012, the company’s order book totalled £948 million, a 14% rise in value. Since the start of 2013, Taylor Wimpey has seen improved sales rates and visitor trends, especially in the south and Midlands, with a “noticeable increase” in NewBuy reservations. <br> “During 2012, we’ve continued our consistent approach and focus on margin and returns, delivering a significant increase in profits,” said Taylor Wimpey’s ceo Pete Redfern. “These results show the benefit of our short term land and strategic land asset choices.”