Stronger property prices have shifted the dynamics when it comes to home ownership. The percentage of home owners is falling and the proportion of renters is increasing. Not only is there a shrinking percentage of home owners, those that do “own” their own home are more likely to have a mortgage than ever before.  Put simply, less people are owning their own property and if they do, they are taking on more debt.

This is reinforced by Australian Bureau of Statistics data. In 1994 renters made up around 18% of the housing market. By 2016 the percentage of renters in Australia reached 25%.

Prices rising at a faster pace than rents have resulted in fewer renters taking the plunge and entering the property market. Those that do manage to purchase a home are having to take on more debt, taking much longer to repay this debt and sometimes even entering retirement with a mortgage outstanding.

The decision to purchase property may be impacted by various factors:
 

1. Unable to make an adequate deposit and/or loan repayments.
    
2. Unwilling to compromise on where one lives e.g. can’t afford Prahran but reluctant to buy and live in Pakenham – so a decision to rent in Prahran is made.
    
3. What is the purpose of the property? Is the property intended as a lifestyle asset (such as a principal place of residence) or an investment property? With increasing prices in the housing market, the case for purchasing an investment property may diminish – the level of rental yield may not justify the purchase. But if a buyer is looking to purchase their own home to live in, they may be more comfortable taking on a higher level of debt for the lifestyle and emotional benefits of owning their own home.

What might cause the dynamics to shift back towards home ownership?
 

A drop in property prices could result in more buyers and see a reversal of falling home ownership. And this year we have begun to see a cooling off in the property market, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne. If housing prices continue to abate it’s possible we will soon see more first home buyers enter the market.

I still like to think that the dream of home ownership in Australia is alive and well. I would encourage anyone looking to purchase their first property to do their research and build a big enough deposit so you are not putting pressure on yourself when making loan repayments. Also consider the very real possibility of rising interest rates and the impact that may have on your loan repayments.