House Prices Could Rise 8% in 2014, says Halifax

House prices will end 2014 between 4% and 8% higher than they start the year, according to predictions from the Halifax. However, the lender says it’s "too early to talk of a housing bubble". Halifax has reported a 7% increase in prices in the first 11 months of 2013, which puts the average UK house price at £174,910 at the end of November.

Halifax's prediction is in line with other commentators who have suggested that a growing appetite for properties, boosted by an improving economy and government schemes like Help to Buy, will drive up prices in 2014 unless a large number of homes come on to the market.