Crystal Ball: House prices to stabilize? Economic inequality to increase?

High level hunch is that house prices are likely to stabilize and may even go back up a little across the country. That said, my emotional desire is for them to (continue) to fall because frankly house prices I feel are still ridiculous.

Sensing there is still a lot of FOMO (Despite recent price reductions) along with excess liquidity in the system and a lot of people “waiting”. This “system” seem to have an insane fascination of rewarding property investment instead of those investing in productive enterprise / endeavors (including paid employment) and I state this as being a Landlord myself.

Without wanting to sound conspiratorial, I will admit to having some personal concern we are perhaps sliding into some sort of neo-feudalism longer term as wealth inequality continues to accelerate unabated and unchallenged by the ordinary working class.

Will further admit that I’ve lost faith that I can single-handedly stop or meaningfully influence (by rallying up the populous or otherwise) this turn of events. In the meantime all I can do is continue to air my concerns to those with a modicum of power in a vain attempt to see change.

Addendum 6th August 2023: Across the ditch in Reddit Land in the Australian Sub-reddit, There has been increasing amount of discussion regarding the effects of economic inequality where people, especially younger people are losing their respect towards the ‘system’.

“For a lot of people, even if you work hard, live modestly, and try to be a good citizen, you’re seeing your purchasing power go down steadily over time due to inflation and stagnant wages, you can’t afford to go to the dentist, and you will never qualify for a mortgage on a house within reasonable traveling distance from your job in Syd/Melb/Bris.

I’m honestly surprised there aren’t people throwing rocks in the street.”

– MortalWombat1974

Crystal Ball: House prices to stabilize? Economic inequality to increase?

Property Manager Turnover?

More of a shower thought question, but how often do Property Managers at any given agency usually turn over? The particular rental I have managed on my behalf down in Rolleston has had it’s assigned property manager changed out like clock work every ~6 months due to resignations.

This can present challenges to both myself and tenants if the point of contact is constantly changing. It also means that I have to “fill-in” the incoming property manager each time about any given property and it can be difficult as a landlord to build a business relationship with the agency.

Update 27 June 2023: I have written to the Business Owner and she has agreed to put management of the property under herself directly.

Property Manager Turnover?

Warning regarding “3M Command” type hanging hooks

Please be aware the use of M3 Command or similar picture hooks can still cause damage to walls when one attempts to take them off. Had a case where a tenant (who has otherwise been excellent) while vacating a property tried to remove one of the hooks and ended up taking some paint with it. The property manager got their nominated handy man in to address it but saw in the property owner’s transaction statement I received later in the month that the cost of repair came to almost $300 (from looking at a copy of the Tradie’s invoice). Whether the charge is reasonable or not, I wouldn’t know as I’m not a tradie.

I now learn that other property owners on various private forums have suggested to their tenants to avoid the use of 3M Command type hooks as they can ultimately cause more damage than regular Picture Hanging hooks if they aren’t removed “correctly” which by itself seems rather subjective.

If you do a search for reviews regarding 3M Command hooks, it appears there’s a few repeating anecdotes suggesting that they may not be all they are cracked up to be so if you do choose to still use them for hanging stuff around the house (be it for your own home or a rental), do so with due care and awareness that the risk of damage is still present.

Warning regarding “3M Command” type hanging hooks