PHOTO: MARTIN DE RUYTER – Once interest rates start rising, house prices will suffer, one economist says.

Mortgage rates will rise “significantly” in the years ahead, a leading economist is warning, and it may deliver a killer blow to the housing market.

Westpac chief economist Dominick Stephens said in his latest market update that he was convinced interest rates would rise before too long.

Interest rates were the most important drive of house prices, he said, and could not keep falling forever.

Banks have competed over recent weeks to offer advertised home loan rates below 4 per cent.

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