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The builder, which last month bought Kent and Sussex firm Hillreed Homes for £38million, said smaller builders were still finding life tough. "Hillreed is a good business with a strong
following in the South-east. They just couldn't find the finance to expand," said Persimmon boss Mike Farley. "Banks lost money to smaller builders in the recession and they
may not be so keen to lend to them now. There might be a situation where bigger rivals come in and buy them out." Persimmon posted a 4 per cent rise in autumn season sales with visitor
levels 6 per cent ahead of this time last year. It saw a 5 per cent rise in first-time buyer visitor numbers helped by new Government schemes such as Funding For Lending and NewBuy. Average
selling prices are on track to be 5 per cent higher at £172,000 for the full year. "The market is challenging but moving home is part of life if your job changes or your family gets
bigger," added Farley.