Property downsizing
Australia has 13 million spare bedrooms. Is there a better use for them?
A combination of factors is preventing empty nesters from downsizing, doing little to help alleviate housing affordability and free up homes for growing families.
- by Tawar Razaghi
Latest
The Perth councils with homes selling at a loss, despite property boom
Property prices have soared but in a handful of neighbourhoods, homes are selling for less than the price they previously fetched.
- by Sarah Brookes
Exclusive
Aged care
‘Inefficient’ to fund aged care through superannuation: Retirement review chairman
Using a portion of super to cover aged care costs has been discussed by backbenchers as a way to boost funding, but Mike Callaghan rejected the idea.
- by Rachel Clun and Jennifer Duke
Withdrawing super for first home a very good investment, says Bernie Fraser
The former RBA governor says low-income workers should be allowed to withdraw some of their super early to buy a first home, while former PM Kevin Rudd, super funds and Labor warn such a scheme would push up property prices.
- by Jennifer Duke
Opinion
Retirement living
Empty nesters rule the roost as retired tenants fall behind
The problem with Australia's retirement system is neither the golden egg nor the goose laying it. The bigger issue is the nest itself.
- by Jennifer Duke
Medicare-style levy or tax rise could fund aged care reforms
Reforms to aged care will be expensive, potentially doubling the cost to the government. To pay for it, a range of financing options have been mooted.
- by Julie Power
Exclusive
Australian recession
'Free money': Real estate agents flooded with calls about HomeBuilder grant
The industry is warning the government may need to give exemptions if banks and councils can't speed up loans and development approvals.
- by Jennifer Duke and Michael Koziol
Family embrace: the rise of multi-generational living in Australia
It's a horrific thought for some, but having several generations living in the same household has plenty of benefits – as long as you can negotiate the inevitable disputes over space.
- by Fenella Souter
Lack of suitable medium-density housing stalls downsizing
A lack of suitable medium-density housing is holding back many older Australians from an "easier lifestyle'
- by John Collett
How releasing home equity can be hazardous for your financial health
Retirees trapped with an increasing reverse mortgage debt and an expensive break fee
- by Noel Whittaker
McMansions no longer topping the menu as new houses slim down
The demand profile for housing is changing, a move that has big implications for builders and outlets that supply fixtures and fittings that fill them.
- by Stephen Miles