Aidan Hayes and Claire Garrett outside their home in Burns Beach. Source: News Limited
Mining exec Chris Ellison is selling his other Perth mansion.
THE great Australian dream has turned into a nightmare.
Experts are warning our attachment to over-sized homes is fuelling an affordability crisis that will leave the state "unliveable" for many West Australians in years to come.
In a submission to the Federal Government inquiry into affordable housing, the WA Local Government Association warns too many sandgropers are living in homes with space they simply don't need. This is driving up costs and pricing people out of the market.
"In Perth, 43.5 per cent of homes have four or more bedrooms," the submission says.
"Yet despite this, in 2006 the average number of persons per household was just 2.6."
The submission says single-person households account for 24 per cent of all households in Perth and are "predicted to further increase".
"The disparity between big homes and smaller households has the effect of increasing the capital cost of purchasing a home and also making the maintenance cost of running a home less affordable," it says. WALGA president Troy Pickard said bigger homes cost "more to build", "more to purchase" and "more to run".
Latest figures show the median house price in Perth is now $545,000 – more than six times the median annual wage.
The WALGA submission accused developers of manipulating the market to force West Australians to buy big homes.
"Land banking and the manipulation of the market through limited release of land by developers needs to be further investigated," the WALGA submission says.
"Restrictive covenants are common in greenfield developments where they are used to mandate a minimum dwelling size, which presents a clear barrier to increasing the supply of more affordable housing."
Linley Lutton, adjunct research fellow at the University of WA's School of Earth and Environment, said housing affordability was a "massive" issue that could lead to an "unliveable" state because of rising costs. He also said big homes stopped communities from bonding.
Master Builders Association director of housing Geoff Cooper said the Barnett Government decision to cut the stamp duty exemption from $500,000 to $430,000 and to increase land tax would only add to housing affordability problems. He said abolishing stamp duty tax would create more turnover in home sales.
Shelter WA, in its submission to the parliamentary inquiry, said there had been a "significant rise" in people seeking assistance.
Satterley Property Group chief executive Nigel Satterley said providing affordable housing was a complex issue. "Planning approvals at local, federal and state level presently run at an average of two years, and in a worst case scenario, up to five years. We think the Government should aim for around 12 months," he said.
Mr Satterley said there were significant costs for holding onto land, such as land tax, interest, rates and maintenance. He also said his company was phasing out restrictive covenants. "It was common in the industry around 10 years ago," he said.
"With the changes in the industry since the (Global Financial Crisis), they are fast disappearing."
Mr Satterley about 70 per cent of WA buyers still choose to live in standalone homes that boast gardens.
"The cost of an apartment in a multistorey development is somewhere between $7000 and $10,000 per square metre," he said. "That compares to a terrace-style home and land package at one of our estates at about $4000 per square metre for the house and land. That's a significant cost difference."
PETS AND BEACH WITH ROOM TO GROOVE
Aidan Hayes and Claire Garrett home in Burns Beach. Source: News Limited
Burns Beach couple Aidan Hays and Claire Garrett wouldn't live in anything less than a four bedroom home with a big backyard.
Mr Hays, 32, and Ms Garrett, 28, consider a space for entertaining and room for their dogs as "essential" to their lifestyle.
After buying the block in 2011, the home was finished in August last year.
The 300sqm home – on a 510sqm block – has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a theatre room, double garage and big backyard.
"We wanted somewhere that had a decent sized yard to play in, as well as having all the space we need to live, work and entertain," Mr Hays said.
"The biggest reasons are our two fluffy fur children, Alfie and Jersey."
Ms Garrett said although they did consider resale value by adding the fourth bedroom it was more about the lifestyle that comes with a home.
"We might never sell it," she said.
"We both grew up in the northern suburbs and it's hard to find anywhere that compares to Burns Beach in terms of lifestyle and proximity to the beach."
Mr Hays, a mechanical designer, and Ms Garrett, a pet photographer, said they wouldn't consider living in an apartment.
"You have more freedom in a house," Mr Hays said.
"Your more separated from someone instead of living on top of them or being right next door."
SMALL AND SAFE ARE THE KEYS
Kat Dumont and Brendan Lewis at their apartment in Ascot. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: News Limited
THERE'S no turning back for apartment aficionados Kat Dumont and Brendan Lewis.
Two years ago Ms Dumont bought a 70sqm one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in Ascot, less than 15km from the CBD.
"I've got the apartment living taste and love it," Ms Dumont, a 24-year-old sponsorship manager with the WA Cricket Association, said. "I've definitely considered buying a bigger home — but I'd be more likely to buy a two-bedroom, two-bathroom or a three-bedroom, two -bathroom apartment rather than a house."
The couple might not have a backyard, but their complex boasts a pool, waste removal system and barbecue area. A secured complex also meant they were less likely to be burgled.
"You can't get into the building without a swipe card," Ms Dumont said. "You can't even get into the lift without one."
She said being so close to the CBD more than made up for the apartment's size.
"Having previously lived in the Swan Valley and commuting to the CBD every day for work, it was very tiresome," she said.
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