Yes I agree, the real estate in the US has shown some serious weakness lately. But the supply there is on another level. There are many new houses/estates in Florida that have no buyers. It will only get worse with restrictive immigration policy.

Fanning Sale went Well- https://www.realestate.com.au/news/surf-champ-mick-fannings-beachfront-…

The Gold Coast has been very good for Mick” goldfingers” Fanning.

Japan with its own housing problems. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-12/influx-of-international-visitors…

This bloke has a different opinion on immigration and the cost of housing . It’s sure to fire up the green haters.

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It’s the reality no matter who you vote for.

Jeez, someone needs to tell all the business writers and editors, including those at the ABC, that high levels of population growth contribute nothing to house prices.
He's right of course, we all know that negative gearing and the CGT discount are the heavy hitters but to deny the effect of demand in the form of high levels of population growth is retarded.
In any case, how can you call yourself an environmental party and not say a word about our infinite population policy?
They need to grow some balls and find out a way to have a mature conversation about population and at the same time distance themselves from the racists.

No argument from me re increased demand from immigration.
But increasing demand from snowballing wealth from property investors with snowballing tax breaks is probably a greater issue.
I should’ve got on the gravy train.

seeds wrote:

No argument from me re increased demand from immigration.

But increasing demand from snowballing wealth from property investors with snowballing tax breaks is probably a greater issue.

I should’ve got on the gravy train.

Yep, we’re an asset economy now.

“House prices can and must fall”

How Long Would It Take For Housing To Become Affordable?
Let's imagine for a moment housing price growth was reduced to 2% & household incomes grew at 3%.
Let's stack the deck in favour of a positive outcome, rates are cut by a further 1.35% & repayments at 35% of gross income is considered affordable.
Under these conditions the median Sydney house becomes affordable for the median earning Sydney household in 2111.

It's not a typo, it would take 86 years.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-29/cotality-house-prices-can-safely…

thermalben wrote:

thermalben wrote:

Forget house and land prices, check out the pubs!

Justin Hemmes has apparently bought a block of Byron land on Jonson Street for $50 million, and is said to be spending $20 million building a new venue along the lines of the Coogee Pavilion.

Hemmes also bought the (vacant) Cheeky Monkeys backpackers bar for $13 million. And in Vicco, picked up the Lorne Hotel for $38 million.

Sydney developer Podia paid $18 million for the Byron Bay Backpackers on Jonson Street. The old Woolworths (opposite Cheeky Monkeys) also sold for $120 million to the Mustaca family and they're building a new four-star hotel.

Stu Laundy recently bought the Lennox Hotel for $40 million and The Farm for $16 million.

Last year, the Byron Bay Beach Hotel sold to investment bank Moelis Australia for $104 million.

And, media reports a few months ago said that both Hemmes and Laundy were in a bidding war for the Pacific Hotel at Yamba, with an asking price of around $50 million. Dunno if it sold though.

Another one to add to the list.

It’s reported that last week the Great Northern Hotel sold.

$80 million.

Buyers were apparently Scott Didier, founder of ASX-listed building company Johns Lyng Group, and Scott Emery, founder of ASX-listed online lender MoneyMe.

From the above list, the Byron Beach Hotel sold in 2020 for $104m.

It sold again a few days ago for $140m.

That's a nice $36m profit in five years.

Oh, and it was bought by Scott Didier, who was part of the group that bought the Great Northern a few years back for $80m.

Daily Cost of Accommodating Climate Refugees / Aged / Disabled Aussies

Part (1) Need & Costings + (Bonus)
Frontline swellnet crew personally examples life as a Climate Reffo.

Govts are closing down o/n Rest Areas to Into (Daily-Entry-o/n Vehicle Permits > NP / Beach access)
Adult Day/s > Weekly discounts not given > Large Family with 3 or more kids = No extra fees (Common)

Rest Areas $0 (Aux Power strictly for Med Cert travellers / Transit Occupations)
Camp $7 (Aux Power for Cert Med Devices only)
Camp $29 (Family)
Seachange $30 ( No Power / Pitch Only)

Powered Sites
Hinterland / Remote Beach $35
Lakes $40
Contract $40 (Post 15 y/o fixed fee contracts) May not include supplementary support
Base $55 (Govt Accom = Non Assist)
Seachange $70 (Regional Beach)
Womens Camp $90 (*New Today c/o swellnet support crew ) see Part 2

(All basic WHO Supplements required)................................................................................................
Room share, toilet-shower, meds, meals + Aux Lights > Power for Online / Phone Contact

Disabled $70
Age/care $70
Pension $82 (Rate)
Autism $90
Evacuees $115 (Makeshift Camp accom / Transit) 17% Fees are waived after 1 Year = Resident
NDIS $117 (Assist)
NDIS $166 (Average)
24/7: $1062 (Full Care)

Cyclone Alfred reffo tbb (Disabled + Medivac Evacuee)
After Reffo Hubs Closed > Test Results urged tbb's GP to seek Qld Health urgent intervention..
Just a double adapter & a square of Carpet > Hospital twice booted tbb out.
The help tbb urgently needed was stalled 10 hours for mandatory Ward of State surrender...See ya!

3 x $185 refuge stays > 4x $82 days declined ( No Power / means) + 2x $82 days (No action)
tbb shared how the last of them declines resulted in a midnite escapade...
Blacked out Flooded Public Phone Box [Lifeline] x 2 + Reffo Hub [Lifeline] Face 2 Face x 2
Reffo Hub Entry is a recovery HQ hang for Cops / Security Guards / Ambos
As they move more heavy stuff in...by default each visit becomes less welcoming/accommodating!
Reffo Volunteers are mostly Women + even signed in by Nipperettes
tbb Awarded each o/n Heroine with daily handcrafted GC Floral Emblem Keepsakes.

Explanation
Satellite Auxiliary Refuge Hubs (3-4 nights) Transform back into Recharge Kiosks > (Civic Centres)
They spare just 1/2 Power Points for Ambo/Medivac Reffos (Power is not guaranteed) 2hrs on 1st night!
tbb was referred to Evacuation Sports Hall HQ (Druggies / Vagrants / Destitute > Cops - Hi-Risk!)
Yes...tbb was caught up in a hellish high drama > Theft / Fisty Cuffs > Outcast intoxicated Vagrant.
Slept with one eye open > 2-3 hr stint...Not a romantic getaway or Family night out..but tbb's oasis!

Mop Up...in Civic Conference Hall (Ticketed Waiting Area) > Scaled response teams...
Once ya trigger some secret Alarm Code word ? > you activate Lifeline > Centrelink > Red Cross
State rep motions tbb to hand waving Lifeline Counsellor intros me to Centrelink Team (Like that...Ok!)
Involves several face2face interviews > Go back'n'forth for Banking Docs etc
Told 'em tbb don't need any handout but was referred so they got protocol to follow...[Stamped] Next!
They reckon tbb overqualified...couldn't convince them other..."Ya need help mate! Ok then...Righto!"
$1,000 = Turns out tbb's Fridge + Shaver no longer work + Mattress Ruined / Ceiling still Mouldy
$180 = Reffo detour fuel / Knock out Emergency Meds / Laundromat / Random heated Meals
Recapping > Not a very high bar to qualify for Assist > All are primarily there to Help...odd if they refuse!
The fact that tbb was already a regular Medivac Reffo Evacuee, most likely ticked their assist boxes...

Gold Coast & tbb are still slowly recovering....(see Part 2)
Returning the Favour is essential to recovery.

Daily Cost of Accommodating Climate Refugees / Aged / Disabled Aussies

(Part 2) Cyclone Ravaged Reffo drys out a pair of soggy sea cow surf sistas
If not now then when...Returning the Favour.

23rd May Water Women Campout
https://surfersforclimate.org.au/products/water-women-campout-2025?vari…

It's easy to sliver spoon Sister's Glamping...but there is a good deed going down in Water Women town.

Sunday Pass $90 (vs) Evacuee $115 (Read Part 1) + Surf Sista Reffo Volunteers
tbb wished to enquire about affordably drying out 2 seacow reffo surf sistas in their natural habitat.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1796542727593237

On behalf of the swellnet crew...
tbb contacted our Climate Reffo Ambassador Ben who hooked up a rescue with WWC Director / Staff.
https://surfersforclimate.org.au/pages/ambassadors
https://surfersforclimate.org.au/pages/team
See Belinda kicks off WWC Saturday Program...

Saturday : Belinda kindly informs that our Ambassador made good the deal & all systems are go!

Sunday (Today!) Well as near to wot Director Belinda permits tbb to share with the crew...
Sure...A real time swellnet climate reffo rescue of surf sisters...All parties agree it was a just cause.
Our aim was true & none get put out in the process.
(Pause!) Ben can confirm tbb recently stoked up Crew support & best wishes for our ill brothers...

Recapping that swellnet crew are recycling their Cyclone Alfred Handout ...
Right now orchestrating a real time Climate Hostage Drama...Reffo Camp < > Seachange sista swap!
Not sure if it's either legal or official...only know that's wotz goin' down...Shh! Our secret!

Crew are Stoked that our Climate Ambassadors fuelled today's Reffo Hub < > Surf Camp swap!
Manning River Sea Cow Surf Sistas > more affectionately known as Dugong > "swellnet mermaids"
Thanks for yer healing kind support & believing in yer crew...Magic is Happening...Yew!

Water Women Campout
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2025/05/23/water-women-…

Here is an interesting take on the housing issue in the UK (along with some other Politico stuff some may find interesting). It was the housing part that took my attention, hence posting here, but it could as easily gone in the Federal election forum. These 2 give a good breakdown of things from differing idealogical perspectives.
https://alastaircampbell.org/2025/05/408-broken-britain-farages-plot-to…

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-23/east-coast-investors-government-…

@Udo
Pretty much the same story in every nice part of country WA
It is still way cheaper here than the east coast (even though it is out of control), so east coast buyers (and many from Singapore also) are snapping everything up for air bnb and rentals (3x2 in town in margs is $750+ pw in Margs , holiday house $300+ per night these days...)
Local kids will be living at home with mum and dad for the rest of their lives

Shipsterns
https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-tas-stormlea-143161128
Sold at a Big $ Loss