Is Rent "Dead Money"?
#16
Banned
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,300
Re: Is Rent "Dead Money"?
Renters are considered an underclass in Australia, in Sydney anyway. Used to be massive estates of housing commission, now it is so many low income earners caught in a rental trap. High rents eating up pay and savings, the thought of managing to save any kind of deposit is unthinkable for many.
Not that you would hear any of this from the media such as the Sydney Morning Herald, that paper is obssessed with the eastern or the uber trendy inner west high end real estate of the wealthy, anything beyond Srathfield doesn't exist. When this is focused on their reaction is that there is usually a hut out somehwere beyond Campbelltown they could buy, around 3hrs from where they work.
Rent probably is dead money and many of those paying it are ****ed for life.
Not that you would hear any of this from the media such as the Sydney Morning Herald, that paper is obssessed with the eastern or the uber trendy inner west high end real estate of the wealthy, anything beyond Srathfield doesn't exist. When this is focused on their reaction is that there is usually a hut out somehwere beyond Campbelltown they could buy, around 3hrs from where they work.
Rent probably is dead money and many of those paying it are ****ed for life.
I agree with most of that, particularly about the rent trap and the reporting. They were celebrating on TV the other morning when news came in about how Sydney was even more unaffordable.
#17
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Is Rent "Dead Money"?
Renters are considered an underclass in Australia, in Sydney anyway. Used to be massive estates of housing commission, now it is so many low income earners caught in a rental trap. High rents eating up pay and savings, the thought of managing to save any kind of deposit is unthinkable for many.
Not that you would hear any of this from the media such as the Sydney Morning Herald, that paper is obssessed with the eastern or the uber trendy inner west high end real estate of the wealthy, anything beyond Srathfield doesn't exist. When this is focused on their reaction is that there is usually a hut out somehwere beyond Campbelltown they could buy, around 3hrs from where they work.
Not that you would hear any of this from the media such as the Sydney Morning Herald, that paper is obssessed with the eastern or the uber trendy inner west high end real estate of the wealthy, anything beyond Srathfield doesn't exist. When this is focused on their reaction is that there is usually a hut out somehwere beyond Campbelltown they could buy, around 3hrs from where they work.
It must surely be the case that many, many earning professionals simply can not afford to buy. Having said that, the absurd situation is that I have never met one in 8 years or so - even working in the City. I am often surprised at how even young people I meet get the money together - when I might struggle now. It must explain why so many therefore end up living out in the suburbs, even if previously they said they never would move out.
We don't have the funds to buy, and are far too old to get any sort of martgage, so we have to rent. Not totally dead money as you do get repairs done free, free buildings insurance, and I suppose for the little things it really depends on your landlord, where we are we also get no water or sewerage bills, all in the rent. However if we did win the lottery we would buy.
#18
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,300
Re: Is Rent "Dead Money"?
I'm sure life was simpler once.
#19
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Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
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Re: Is Rent "Dead Money"?
I imagine the answer to this quandary is the same thing that happened in the UK in the late 90s/early00s, which is to say there is a lot of insanely irresponsible borrowing going on. People borrow 130%, etc., 8 time wages, and so on. Of course this ends in mass repossessions, defaults, collapsing house prices, but the big question is............. when? They stopped it happening in the UK with a near ZIRP, here they're putting rates up.
I'm sure life was simpler once.
I'm sure life was simpler once.
#20
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,300
Re: Is Rent "Dead Money"?
I am extremely liberal when it comes to home ownership - I believe everyone should have a place to call their own, and hand down to others, even if it's not a big eff off mansion. Or rather, I think it's an injustice the way the market has gone in Anglo-Saxon countries. That said, can Europe afford to house it's population?
I share your views on the injustice. It is disgraceful, and it is a scandal. My grandfather grew up in a house in Kingston upon Thames - his father was a bus conductor. Last time I checked that house cost £350,000. I am absolutely certain not many bus conductors could afford it now (or those of that salary rank, of course there are no conductors any more).
As for your last question - no, not in the present style, which is why there is so much talk of planning laws, etc.
#21
Re: Is Rent "Dead Money"?
I have met blue-collar Australians who make it quite clear they are on to something because they have bought and seem to indirectly question those who rent.
It must surely be the case that many, many earning professionals simply can not afford to buy. Having said that, the absurd situation is that I have never met one in 8 years or so - even working in the City. I am often surprised at how even young people I meet get the money together - when I might struggle now. It must explain why so many therefore end up living out in the suburbs, even if previously they said they never would move out.
What do you plan to do when you retire? Does Centrelink absorb the cost of the rent.
It must surely be the case that many, many earning professionals simply can not afford to buy. Having said that, the absurd situation is that I have never met one in 8 years or so - even working in the City. I am often surprised at how even young people I meet get the money together - when I might struggle now. It must explain why so many therefore end up living out in the suburbs, even if previously they said they never would move out.
What do you plan to do when you retire? Does Centrelink absorb the cost of the rent.
#22
Re: Is Rent "Dead Money"?
ok would you buy a newly built studio apartment approx 45sqm
close to train station, 15 mins to Sydney CBD
with fitouts eg washer dryer dishwasher bed aircon
strata etc approx $1K per qtr
no stamp duty plus get $15K govt grant
for $450K?
close to train station, 15 mins to Sydney CBD
with fitouts eg washer dryer dishwasher bed aircon
strata etc approx $1K per qtr
no stamp duty plus get $15K govt grant
for $450K?
#23
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Is Rent "Dead Money"?
+1 on all this. My family were all homeowners, both sides, right back into the 19th century, which is as far as we can trace it. Mostly detached places, with nice gardens in the good part of town. I have spoken here before of the perils that can be found in the bad part of town, so this is important.
I share your views on the injustice. It is disgraceful, and it is a scandal. My grandfather grew up in a house in Kingston upon Thames - his father was a bus conductor. Last time I checked that house cost £350,000. I am absolutely certain not many bus conductors could afford it now (or those of that salary rank, of course there are no conductors any more).
As for your last question - no, not in the present style, which is why there is so much talk of planning laws, etc.
I share your views on the injustice. It is disgraceful, and it is a scandal. My grandfather grew up in a house in Kingston upon Thames - his father was a bus conductor. Last time I checked that house cost £350,000. I am absolutely certain not many bus conductors could afford it now (or those of that salary rank, of course there are no conductors any more).
As for your last question - no, not in the present style, which is why there is so much talk of planning laws, etc.
#24
Re: Is Rent "Dead Money"?
There are housing associations and the local councils still have some places. There is housing benefit and council tax benefit for those with less than a certain income. If you are able to get a housing association place, and get full housing benefit, then you could get all your rent provided, but this is only available for those on basic pension.
#25
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,374
Re: Is Rent "Dead Money"?
We are (for various reasons), caught in a rental trap. I hate it, i would love a proper home. Go for it!
#26
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: Is Rent "Dead Money"?
For mine I live in a $2800 per month place. To buy it I would be up for for about $4800 per month. There's $24000 per year I can't support bad habits with. Too high risk too if Mrs Beoz or I were out of work.
#27
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,555
Re: Is Rent "Dead Money"?
Depends on the rent house price ratio in your area, the frequency you move (stamp duty) and what you want from a house. My family is restricted to an area with little choice in buying or renting. The right house to buy eventually came along. Rent is way less than a mortgage plus there is water, rates and insurance. The rentals in the area are awful.
Australia is also at the bottom of the rate cycle. Prices are dependent on resources and Chinese wealth visa buyers.
Australia is also at the bottom of the rate cycle. Prices are dependent on resources and Chinese wealth visa buyers.
#28
Re: Is Rent "Dead Money"?
is it worth it?
is life a journey or a destination?
#29
Re: Is Rent "Dead Money"?
Nah, I don't reckon it's worth it. Wait till you've found your Mr Right and then buy something together. If you won't be able to afford to go out as much then you're reducing your chances of meeting that Mr Right. Invest in yourself and being fabulous.