80% think house prices will rise this year

Four out of five people expect house prices to rise over the next six months, according to a survey carried out by property website, Zoopla. This takes us back in time and confidence to about where we were in 2007, before the recession started.

In April last year, only 30% of participants in the same survey, thought house prices would rise. So, there's definitely a lot more confidence in the housing market this year.

This could be an excellent time to invest in property and for first-time buyers to get themselves on the property. The recent reduction in stamp duty will also be helping them along.

I can't see the property market making a full recovery in the next six months but this is definitely a step in the right direction.