Following a year of significant improvement in the housing market, four prominent economists are forecasting a solid 2014, according to a yearly survey from RealtyTrac. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, believes this year should be a good one for the economy, as long as government gridlock doesn’t interfere with the progress. Zandi feels that if policymakers do no harm in 2014, the economy should do well and home prices should rise about 5 percent. The National Association of Realtors’ Lawrence Yun also expressed concern over federal policies, warning that regulations focused on lowering default risk may, in fact, restrict access to credit and impede the mortgage market. On the other hand, Chris Thornberg, principal at Beacon Economics, sees continued improvement in the housing market’s future. According to Thornberg, new home sales should be up this year and – though existing-home sales will remain around the same level as last year – there will be less investor activity and more retail buyers. Other economists cautioned that there is still room for improvement in the economy and housing market. Jed Kolko, chief economist at Trulia, is concerned that, while prices and sales volumes are now near normal levels, a shaky labor market means fewer young adults are moving out on their own and forming households. More here.