HERE’S TO A BRIGHT FUTURE
WHEN it comes to discussing the state of the local real estate market, the recently aired concerns of a group of senior Tasmanians were as broad as the Bass Strait.
Real Estate Institute of Tasmania president Tony Collidge was a guest speaker for the local branch of National Seniors Australia.
He spent 45 minutes giving a thorough assessment of the local market, from the depreciated state it was in after the global financial crisis through to the more recent heights of nation-leading home value growth alongside a critical shortage of homes to buy and sell.
Among many topics, he spoke about the importance of selecting the right real estate agent and where to look for expert advice on topics such as the effects selling a house might have on a senior’s pension entitlements.
When the time came for the group to ask questions, the result was fascinating. Few posed detailed questions about their own housing situations, but many had “big picture” observations to make.
There were questions about the construction industry, the interstate firms working in Tasmania, and the shortage of apprentices that are being groomed to be the state’s home builders of the future.
A hot topic was the planning sector and whether councils were understaffed or ill-prepared to deal with the level of development Tasmania needs.
One attendee at the meeting said: “Councils need to get off their backsides and figure out a way to pass developments sooner.”
Mr Collidge said there were questions that might have been better directed to Premier Will Hodgman on topics such as job prospects in this state, and how young Tasmanians could expect to buy a first home when prices had increased so much.
There was a lighter moment, too, when Mr Collidge was asked if he would accept a nomination to make him the president of this branch of the NSA.
One comment from an audience member may have hit the nail on the head for many people. She said she would like to move from her home, but feels like doing so has become an insurmountable challenge.
“I live in Forest Road in West Hobart, but at my age I would like to live somewhere flat,” she said.
“Ideally that would be still be in West Hobart, but closer to the city.
“Unfortunately, it is hard to find a place to buy that would be the right fit for my needs.” So now, she feels stuck. “I don’t know what to do next,” she said. “Selling up, moving out and buying a new home will not get any easier the older I get. I suppose for now I will have to stay put.”