MORE than half of Scots believe the value of their home will rise in 2014 as confidence in the housing market recovery continues.

Some 58% of Scots who took part in a survey by the Halifax bank said house prices were set to rise.

There was more confidence in London and the south of England that the value of homes would rise with around 80% believing the trend would be upwards.

For the first time since Halifax's regular housing market confidence tracker began in April 2011, the proportion of consumers who predict the next 12 months will be a good time to put a home on the market outweighed those who believe it will be a bad time.

Some 51% of nearly 2000 people surveyed said that this year will be a good time to sell, compared with 39% thinking it will be a bad time, according to the research carried out between late November and early December 2013.

Meanwhile, the battle between lenders offering low-deposit mortgages under the Government's flagship Help to Buy scheme has been stepped up as another bank announced new products.

Lloyds Bank will be offering a two-year fixed-rate mortgage at 5.19% under the Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme, but applicants must hold a current account with the bank to get this rate, which carries a £995 fee.

Borrowers who do not have a current account with Lloyds Bank can also take out the mortgage product, but their rate will be higher, at 5.39%, also with a £995 fee.

The Government's Help to Buy scheme offers state-backed mortgages to people trying to get on the property ladder or move up it.