Propertyfinder.com research says transactions will increase by 30% in January 2006.

More than half of people expect property prices to rise over the next year, a new survey by a property website has found.

Based on the survey of 473 househunters, released on Monday, website Propertyfinder.com predicted that home purchases and sales will go up by almost a third in January 2006 compared to the previous year to 140,000.

The firm said househunter confidence was a reliable predictor of transaction rates.