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Getting young people into their own home a family affair

When it comes to helping younger people get into the housing market it’s increasingly a case of ‘all in the family’.

Property figures report that mum and dad, or even the grandparents, are stepping in to assist their children or grandchildren with the finance to obtain an established or new home.

Dennis Family Homes chief executive officer Peter Levinge says his company representatives regularly encounter parents who are helping their children get a start in the property market.

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Keeping it in the family: buying a home can be a team effort.

“Parental involvement can take a variety of forms, including providing part or all of a deposit, acting as a guarantor or purchasing the home themselves as an investment for their children to live in,” Mr Levinge says.

The Dennis chief says it’s also common now for siblings “to combine their resources and purchase together to get into the market”.

Migrants to Australia are also getting financial help to meet the cost of a property here.

“We also often see instances where customers who have migrated to Australia receive financial support from their families overseas towards the deposit for their new home,” he says.

PRDnationwide managing director Tony Brasier agrees that the increasing cost of property – particularly in the eastern seaboard capital cities – is forcing the hand of many parents.

“It is definitely an increasing trend for parents to help the first homebuyer kids into the property market,” Mr Brasier says.

“We are seeing more cases of parents stepping in to help their kids – whether it’s giving them the money for a deposit on a house, part of the purchase price or buying the property as an investment and then placing their children in it,” Mr Brasier says.

“It’s basically do anything they can to give their children a toehold in the property market. They (the parents) may buy a semi-detached or terrace home close to the city, but the majority would be buying more affordable apartments to either lease or to occupy.”

The PRDnationwide chief says he has come across parents who have bought off the plan “because they see the first homeowners grant as being a good incentive to enter the market”.

“Plus there is the significant depreciation on a new build if it is going to be leased,” Mr Brasier says.

What parents should look for when buying property for their children:

• A location their kids want to live in
• A location close to public transport, possibly near schools
• A good letting area in case the kids move out
• A vibrant area with shops, cafes and restaurants
• Suitable style of housing for younger people or other renters


realestateThis story was brought to you by The New Daily using data and other information from its real estate content partner, realestateVIEW.com.au. To download the new free realestateVIEW.com.au app click here.

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