Property Marketing
.

The Times Property
 
The Times Real Estate

.

Tim McKibbin responds to the Report of the Federal Inquiry into Housing Affordability



“Solving the affordability crisis requires coordinated actions across all levels of Government and while there is no single solution, increasing the supply of property is the most important action with the potential to have the greatest impact,” Mr McKibbin says. 

“The Report’s recommendations for incentivising high quality, higher density living close to public transport, particularly under-utilised public transport, is a no-brainer. But the planning process stands in the way of an appropriate development response. 

“The planning system in NSW is nothing short of atrocious. It is typical for it to take longer to be granted development approval than it takes to complete the construction phase of the project. 

“Other recommendations around property tax reform, and replacing stamp duty with land tax, are not new. Stamp duty is clearly an enormous barrier to affordability but all three levels of Government are overly dependent on property tax. 

“The combination of this dependency adds over 40% to the cost of new property paid by the purchaser. Replacing stamp duty with an annual property tax does not remove Government’s dependency on property tax. It is essentially a rebranding exercise. 

“Ultimately, the reforms need to target the needs of first home buyers. Enabling first home buyers to access more money merely increases the debt they will have to service. Instead, alleviating the tax burden on this cohort will make property more affordable, help them service a more appropriate loan for them, while not inflating prices. 

“This latest Inquiry into housing affordability is not the first and findings of past inquiries remain unaddressed or have focused on demand strategies, which will not solve a supply problem. 

“Let’s hope this time, that recommendations around supply translate to real actions and Government recognises the need to wean itself of property taxes,” he says.

Buying Commercial Property with Your Super

Using your self-managed super fund (SMSF) to buy commercial property can be a savvy long-term move, but it’s not as simple as signing a contract and dipping into your s...

Protecting Your Investment: Benefits of Outdoor Car Covers

Outdoor car storage comes with a tradeoff. It’s convenient and often necessary—but it exposes your vehicle to weather, wildlife, and wear. Whether it’s the family SUV, ...

How to Elevate Your Open House Setup

When it comes to real estate, first impressions are everything. And nowhere is that more important than during an open house. A well-executed setup can mean the differe...

What Landlords Need to Know About Indoor Air Monitoring

Indoor air quality is no longer just a concern for hospitals or luxury office towers. For today’s landlords—whether you lease out a single apartment or manage a multi-u...

Branding Your Real Estate Office With Visual Impact

First impressions don’t just happen at open houses—they begin the moment someone walks past your office. In today’s fast-moving property market, a real estate brand isn...

Beyond Listings: How Realtors Are Reinventing Home Showcases

The real estate industry is evolving—and so is the way properties are being presented to potential buyers. Traditional open houses and static online listings still serv...