Average UK house prices are likely to rise by around 4% next year, according to latest research from Hometrack. The property market analyst predicts that low levels of turnover in the market, coupled with prices primarily being dictated by those already on the housing ladder, will slow growth rates. Richard Donnell, Hometrack’s, director of research, said: “We expect just 5.5% of private housing to change hands next year, which means that the average household is moving just once every 18 years. “The problem is that low levels of liquidity in what is an already illiquid market are likely to increase the short term volatility in house prices. This is likely to impact on asking prices more than underlying values.” The latest HBF monthly survey shows that housebuilders raised their prices in October for the tenth successive month, and also increased the use of incentives. Housebuilders are optimistic about sales prospects in 2007