Housing crisis

DD often notes that humans are very bad at predicting what will make them happy.

It’s just occurred to me that it’s a spookily similar sentiment to my ex-husband’s pronouncement (during the death knell months of our marriage) that “happiness is not to be found in a new barbecue”.

The barbecue in question looked like this and fell apart in our hands when we were moving it …

So I think a little happiness may have been found in getting a new one.

Anyways, DD is right when it comes to predicting my happiness with property purchases.

While I start out thinking I’ve bought the perfect place, within three to five years I am desperate to move on.

It’s a pattern I’ve followed since buying my first house in Petersham in my mid-20s. I buy and sell and buy and sell and buy and sell.

Along the way I’ve mostly made money, but apartment prices haven’t risen much since my last purchase. So my sensible side tells me I can’t sell my current place, even though I am itching to move on.

Another thing stopping me is stamp duty.

And I’m not alone.

Research by Australian Seniors has revealed 67 per cent of empty nesters in NSW are still living in large family homes with no plans to sell, despite research showing it could free up nearly 60,000 desperately needed properties across the country for younger Australians.

Social analyst and demographer Mark McCrindle said many downsizers were turned off due to the financial burdens associated with selling and repurchasing.

“They don’t want to be penalised when they downsize,” he said. 

Yup. Agree. I reckon I might be on the move if it wasn’t for that.

Instead, I sit alone in my three-bedroom apartment, surrounded by so much space that I don’t need now both my kids have moved to different cities.

The place also doesn’t suit my two ageing dogs, who would be much happier with a ground floor place and a little grass.

While I wait for a more fortuitous selling environment, I wonder if I should I get a flatmate. But could I cope with having a person who isn’t a relative under my roof?

Much to think about.

Song of the day: Models “Unhappy”