<b></b>Prospects for the housebuilding market continue to look bright, with latest surveys showing increasing optimism among housebuilders for their future sales this year.<br>The industry is reporting rapid rises in reservations and site visitors compared with a year ago, while sales incentives are being all but abandoned as new home prices soar.<p></p><p>Most respondents to the latest HBF survey said they expect house prices to continue to rise rapidly over the next year, but land prices are starting to rise as well. The ongoing imbalance between supply and demand is highlighted by the fact that the industry is reporting a shortage of work in progress and a dearth of completed stock. Labour availability, land prices and land availability are joining planning delays as significant constraints on supply. But there are few if any constraints on demand - interest rates remain low and economic optimism is positive. The only issue that could dampen demand - particularly in London and East Anglia - is house price rises.</p><p>Barratt chairman Frank Eaton summed up the positive outlook. &amp;“Over the last few months our forward sales have been at record levels and looking ahead we can see no signs of demand slowing down at our sites,&amp;” he …