Industry experts and market analysts expect housing to continue to build on last year’s gains in 2014. Home prices – which rose 11 percent last year – will continue to rise, though at a slower rate. And those price increases will lead to fewer underwater homeowners and, as more homes are put up for sale, improved inventory levels. In addition to rising home values, analysts expect higher mortgage rates in the new year, though they believe it’ll have little effect on buyer demand, which is expected to remain at a healthy level. Celia Chen, an economist at Moody’s Analytics, predicts job growth will spur a surge in new residential construction this year. Chen believes the economy will add about 200,000 jobs a month, leading to greater housing demand and increased homebuilding activity. The spike in new residential construction will lead to even more jobs and support a stronger, growing economy in 2014, according to Chen. More here.