If everyone's building new homes, what happens to all the old ones?
#1
Victorian Evangelist
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Melbourne, by the beach, living the dream.
Posts: 7,704
If everyone's building new homes, what happens to all the old ones?
I asked this question in New Zealand many years ago and still haven't found out the satisfactory answer!
So many people are building new homes in Oz (and NZ) - it's a very common thing to do compared to the UK.
But Oz's population is not expanding at a rate fast enough for ALL these houses to be filled with new immigrants.
So what happens to a large proportion of the old houses? Do they all get knocked down for their land value? Or do they stand empty? Or what happens?
I'd love to know people's theories and opinions.
Thanks
Buzzy
So many people are building new homes in Oz (and NZ) - it's a very common thing to do compared to the UK.
But Oz's population is not expanding at a rate fast enough for ALL these houses to be filled with new immigrants.
So what happens to a large proportion of the old houses? Do they all get knocked down for their land value? Or do they stand empty? Or what happens?
I'd love to know people's theories and opinions.
Thanks
Buzzy
#2
Re: If everyone's building new homes, what happens to all the old ones?
Originally Posted by Buzzy--Bee
I asked this question in New Zealand many years ago and still haven't found out the satisfactory answer!
So many people are building new homes in Oz (and NZ) - it's a very common thing to do compared to the UK.
But Oz's population is not expanding at a rate fast enough for ALL these houses to be filled with new immigrants.
So what happens to a large proportion of the old houses? Do they all get knocked down for their land value? Or do they stand empty? Or what happens?
I'd love to know people's theories and opinions.
Thanks
Buzzy
So many people are building new homes in Oz (and NZ) - it's a very common thing to do compared to the UK.
But Oz's population is not expanding at a rate fast enough for ALL these houses to be filled with new immigrants.
So what happens to a large proportion of the old houses? Do they all get knocked down for their land value? Or do they stand empty? Or what happens?
I'd love to know people's theories and opinions.
Thanks
Buzzy
#3
Re: If everyone's building new homes, what happens to all the old ones?
Originally Posted by Buzzy--Bee
I asked this question in New Zealand many years ago and still haven't found out the satisfactory answer!
So many people are building new homes in Oz (and NZ) - it's a very common thing to do compared to the UK.
But Oz's population is not expanding at a rate fast enough for ALL these houses to be filled with new immigrants.
So what happens to a large proportion of the old houses? Do they all get knocked down for their land value? Or do they stand empty? Or what happens?
I'd love to know people's theories and opinions.
Thanks
Buzzy
So many people are building new homes in Oz (and NZ) - it's a very common thing to do compared to the UK.
But Oz's population is not expanding at a rate fast enough for ALL these houses to be filled with new immigrants.
So what happens to a large proportion of the old houses? Do they all get knocked down for their land value? Or do they stand empty? Or what happens?
I'd love to know people's theories and opinions.
Thanks
Buzzy
Unsure really.
My aunt has a new house built every 2 years, but she just sells them. Don't know what happens to them.
#4
Re: If everyone's building new homes, what happens to all the old ones?
Originally Posted by Buzzy--Bee
I asked this question in New Zealand many years ago and still haven't found out the satisfactory answer!
So many people are building new homes in Oz (and NZ) - it's a very common thing to do compared to the UK.
But Oz's population is not expanding at a rate fast enough for ALL these houses to be filled with new immigrants.
So what happens to a large proportion of the old houses? Do they all get knocked down for their land value? Or do they stand empty? Or what happens?
I'd love to know people's theories and opinions.
Thanks
Buzzy
So many people are building new homes in Oz (and NZ) - it's a very common thing to do compared to the UK.
But Oz's population is not expanding at a rate fast enough for ALL these houses to be filled with new immigrants.
So what happens to a large proportion of the old houses? Do they all get knocked down for their land value? Or do they stand empty? Or what happens?
I'd love to know people's theories and opinions.
Thanks
Buzzy
In Sydney, if you discount re-builds and architect-designed one-off houses, the people who do build tend to be first time buyers or new migrants - first time buyers because it's the cheapest way to get a house and new migrants because it's a novelty to be able to do so.
Most people don't want to live in the furthest outskirts of civilization (so to speak) which is where the cheap land and new builds are - so are more than happy to live in an older house in a better location. You certainly don't get empty houses hanging around that no-one wants!
I'd never build in a million years. Too much hassle, too many prospective problems and too far from anywhere I'd want to be.
In any case, Sydney still has an acute shortage of housing and there's a long way to go yet before the number houses exceeds the amount of people who want one.
#5
Re: If everyone's building new homes, what happens to all the old ones?
Originally Posted by Buzzy--Bee
I asked this question in New Zealand many years ago and still haven't found out the satisfactory answer!
So many people are building new homes in Oz (and NZ) - it's a very common thing to do compared to the UK.
But Oz's population is not expanding at a rate fast enough for ALL these houses to be filled with new immigrants.
So what happens to a large proportion of the old houses? Do they all get knocked down for their land value? Or do they stand empty? Or what happens?
I'd love to know people's theories and opinions.
Thanks
Buzzy
So many people are building new homes in Oz (and NZ) - it's a very common thing to do compared to the UK.
But Oz's population is not expanding at a rate fast enough for ALL these houses to be filled with new immigrants.
So what happens to a large proportion of the old houses? Do they all get knocked down for their land value? Or do they stand empty? Or what happens?
I'd love to know people's theories and opinions.
Thanks
Buzzy
#6
Re: If everyone's building new homes, what happens to all the old ones?
Whilst immigration itself may not be enough to provide a need for the number of houses being built you also have to take into consideration the number of people entering the housing market for the first time.
Interestingly though, the fact that immigration does not provide the housing need is not a proven statistic at all and just assumed from the OP.
Since there are not swathes of empty houses littering every street you kinda of have to assume that the number of people entering the market in general equals or is greater to the number of houses both new and old available.
Interestingly though, the fact that immigration does not provide the housing need is not a proven statistic at all and just assumed from the OP.
Since there are not swathes of empty houses littering every street you kinda of have to assume that the number of people entering the market in general equals or is greater to the number of houses both new and old available.
#7
Rocket Scientist
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Dreamland AKA Brisbane which is a different country to the UK
Posts: 6,911
Re: If everyone's building new homes, what happens to all the old ones?
Originally Posted by nickyc
Ha, ha! Don't be fooled - just because it's the topic of the week on here doesn't mean everyone's doing it. Most people DON'T build their own houses.
In Sydney, if you discount re-builds and architect-designed one-off houses, the people who do build tend to be first time buyers or new migrants - first time buyers because it's the cheapest way to get a house and new migrants because it's a novelty to be able to do so.
Most people don't want to live in the furthest outskirts of civilization (so to speak) which is where the cheap land and new builds are - so are more than happy to live in an older house in a better location. You certainly don't get empty houses hanging around that no-one wants!
I'd never build in a million years. Too much hassle, too many prospective problems and too far from anywhere I'd want to be.
In any case, Sydney still has an acute shortage of housing and there's a long way to go yet before the number houses exceeds the amount of people who want one.
In Sydney, if you discount re-builds and architect-designed one-off houses, the people who do build tend to be first time buyers or new migrants - first time buyers because it's the cheapest way to get a house and new migrants because it's a novelty to be able to do so.
Most people don't want to live in the furthest outskirts of civilization (so to speak) which is where the cheap land and new builds are - so are more than happy to live in an older house in a better location. You certainly don't get empty houses hanging around that no-one wants!
I'd never build in a million years. Too much hassle, too many prospective problems and too far from anywhere I'd want to be.
In any case, Sydney still has an acute shortage of housing and there's a long way to go yet before the number houses exceeds the amount of people who want one.
As an aside, when the market was really booming here in Brisbane a couple of years back, you couldnt buy old queenslanders or anything pre-1950s for love nor money - they were snapped up literally within hours of going on the market - & usually for a price that was a hell of alot more than an equivilent sized new build home if it were built on the same block. They are very very popular.
There are always some people who will buy an old house & knock it down, but far far more are renovated or restored than demolished. In fact there are alot of areas of Brisbane which have restrcitions on what can be built (& houses cant be demolished) to preserve the integrity & street character of the area.
Im with Nicky, I love old houses, I wouldnt live in a new build again if you paid me .
Last edited by MrsDagboy; Feb 5th 2006 at 9:07 pm.
#8
Re: If everyone's building new homes, what happens to all the old ones?
Originally Posted by MrsDagboy
Im with Nicky, I love old houses, I wouldnt live in a new build again if you paid me .
#9
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Joined: Aug 2004
Location: in a place near the river and the sea where the sun always shines
Posts: 3,155
Re: If everyone's building new homes, what happens to all the old ones?
Originally Posted by Vash the Stampede
The House Fairy takes them, and slips them under the pillows of deserving children.
#10
Re: If everyone's building new homes, what happens to all the old ones?
Originally Posted by MrsDagboy
What she ^^^^^^ said .
Im with Nicky, I love old houses, I wouldnt live in a new build again if you paid me .
Im with Nicky, I love old houses, I wouldnt live in a new build again if you paid me .
And, like you said, the only way I could get a Queenslander was to build a new one. Looking at it from the outside, you can't tell that its not an old Queenslander.
Jane
#11
Re: If everyone's building new homes, what happens to all the old ones?
Originally Posted by JaneandJim
Not quite with Nickyc, you buy old wrecks and do them up into something lovely. Just as much hassle and much harder work on your part than buying a new build.
And, like you said, the only way I could get a Queenslander was to build a new one. Looking at it from the outside, you can't tell that its not an old Queenslander.
Jane
And, like you said, the only way I could get a Queenslander was to build a new one. Looking at it from the outside, you can't tell that its not an old Queenslander.
Jane
#12
Rocket Scientist
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Dreamland AKA Brisbane which is a different country to the UK
Posts: 6,911
Re: If everyone's building new homes, what happens to all the old ones?
Originally Posted by JaneandJim
Not quite with Nickyc, you buy old wrecks and do them up into something lovely. Just as much hassle and much harder work on your part than buying a new build.
And, like you said, the only way I could get a Queenslander was to build a new one. Looking at it from the outside, you can't tell that its not an old Queenslander.
Jane
And, like you said, the only way I could get a Queenslander was to build a new one. Looking at it from the outside, you can't tell that its not an old Queenslander.
Jane
Your house is lovely, but the difference between you & I is that, if I had a piece of land with no house, I would get a removal home instead of building new. Once it was on the land, then I would start the restoration process. For me, a new house is more bland, I like the feeling of accomplishment of taking something that was once delapidated (& probably shocking decor :scared: ) & turning it into something beautiful again. But that looks something like the original house - I can't understand people that fill old houses with chrome & stainless steel type stuff & make it look ultra-modern inside. That's what new houses are for .
On reflection, I shouldnt say "never" wrt me having a new house - I have considered building new if I moved out of Qld, but only because the style of house that I want (either french chateau or tuscan/mediterranean style) is very rare here.
#13
Re: If everyone's building new homes, what happens to all the old ones?
Originally Posted by MrsDagboy
Old wrecks, that's a bit cruel LOL , nahhh, well hopefully it will be lovely when we've finished with it. The kitchen is currently being done, Im so excited everytime I think about it being finished I almost wet myself :scared: . You are right, its bloody hard work & alot of blood sweat & tears, but we think its worth it .
Your house is lovely, but the difference between you & I is that, if I had a piece of land with no house, I would get a removal home instead of building new. Once it was on the land, then I would start the restoration process. For me, a new house is more bland, I like the feeling of accomplishment of taking something that was once delapidated (& probably shocking decor :scared: ) & turning it into something beautiful again. But that looks something like the original house - I can't understand people that fill old houses with chrome & stainless steel type stuff & make it look ultra-modern inside. That's what new houses are for .
On reflection, I shouldnt say "never" wrt me having a new house - I have considered building new if I moved out of Qld, but only because the style of house that I want (either french chateau or tuscan/mediterranean style) is very rare here.
Your house is lovely, but the difference between you & I is that, if I had a piece of land with no house, I would get a removal home instead of building new. Once it was on the land, then I would start the restoration process. For me, a new house is more bland, I like the feeling of accomplishment of taking something that was once delapidated (& probably shocking decor :scared: ) & turning it into something beautiful again. But that looks something like the original house - I can't understand people that fill old houses with chrome & stainless steel type stuff & make it look ultra-modern inside. That's what new houses are for .
On reflection, I shouldnt say "never" wrt me having a new house - I have considered building new if I moved out of Qld, but only because the style of house that I want (either french chateau or tuscan/mediterranean style) is very rare here.
#14
Re: If everyone's building new homes, what happens to all the old ones?
Originally Posted by JaneandJim
Not quite with Nickyc, you buy old wrecks and do them up into something lovely. Just as much hassle and much harder work on your part than buying a new build.
What I really meant about new building hassle, though, is all the dramas and decisions you have to make. Having to decide where all my power points need to go, having to decide where the light switches should be, having to decide which shade of white tiles I want, having to choose between 99 varieties of laundry tap etc would seriously affect my health. What if I got it wrong? It would bug me for years.
Plus, I've been here long enough to have seen too many 'Current Affair'-type exposes of shoddy building practices, rip-off or bankrupt builders, tearful owners etc to ever want to go down that road!
#15
Rocket Scientist
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Dreamland AKA Brisbane which is a different country to the UK
Posts: 6,911
Re: If everyone's building new homes, what happens to all the old ones?
Originally Posted by kelli28
wheres the piccys of the kitchen?? not seen any for ages
Here's what it looks like atm . (its 2 pics stitched together, so the window looks a bit funny & shortened, but you get the general idea ).