"It's early days in the autumn-selling season but so far private reservation rates are in line with expectations and prices are holding up," Chief Executive Mark Clare told reporters on Wednesday.
House prices fell much faster than expected last month, according to a monthly survey from mortgage lender Nationwide, stoking concerns that Britain could be headed for a double-dip recession.
However, the latest figures from rival lender Halifax on Wednesday confounded expectations by showing a rise in prices in August.
"There's all sorts of challenges ahead and if you're concerned about the risk of a double-dip then Barratt is probably seen at the top of the list for further impairments," Arbuthnot analyst Kate Moy said.
Shares in the group were down 3 percent at 101 pence at 8:22 a.m. British time.
Finance director David Thomas said the group reassessed impairment provision every six months and was comfortable with the balance sheet at present.
Barratt, which is building more houses rather than flats at present, said it would continue to focus on prices rather than volume and would not reinstate dividends, unlike rivals Bovis
Clare added that the year had also seen a fall in the proportion of investors buying homes, with sales to these purchasers coming in at 10 percent over the year from 25 percent previously.
Also on Wednesday, Berkeley Group
Berkeley shares were down 0.25 percent at 836.5 pence.
For the year to the end of June, Barratt reported an operating profit of 90.1 million pounds ($138.5 million), up from 34.2 million one year ago.
Barratt had said in July it would report an operating profit of at least 85 million pounds for the year thanks to a strong second-half performance.
(Reporting by Victoria Bryan; editing by Sarah Young)
($1=.6507 Pound)
(c) Reuters 2012. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
