How sentiment shapes the Australian property market, plus other reports

For PropertyGuru’s news roundup, how sentiment – the relative confidence of buyers and sellers – is a key driver of the Australian property market. In other news, if you’re considering whether to rent a townhouse versus a villa in Dubai, here’s a guide to help you choose. Lastly, the Hong Kong government is set to eradicate 30,000 substandard flats; where will the people go?

How sentiment shapes the Australian housing market

The relative confidence of buyers and sellers is a key driver of the property market. According to PropTrack, sentiment not only impacts the volume of listings and transactions but also the price trajectory of properties. While sentiment can fluctuate, the latest data from the realestate.com.au Residential Audience Pulse Survey highlights several positive trends. Recent survey results indicate that while some sellers express reservations about the market, notably in NSW and Victoria, where price growth has been modest, Tasmanian sellers are growing more confident. In Tasmania, the number of sellers who consider it a good time to sell increased by 15 percent in October.

Should you rent a townhouse or villa in Dubai?

Residents in Dubai are spoilt for choice with the wide variety of rental properties available, catering to diverse needs and lifestyles. Among the most sought-after options for large families are townhouses and villas. While both offer ample space and comfort, there are notable differences in annual rents, living costs, and other key factors that may influence your decision. If you’re debating whether to rent a townhouse versus a villa in Dubai, MyBayut provides a guide to help you weigh the options before making your choice.

Hong Kong’s substandard subdivided flats are ‘targeted for eradication’… and their occupants?

HKFP reports that the Hong Kong government has put out some details about its plan to eliminate substandard mini-flats. According to a newspaper contribution by the relevant minister, there are 110,000 subdivided flats – where an already miniature flat is further split up for multiple occupations – in Hong Kong. It is estimated that 220,000 people live in them. This is a suspiciously round number, but let us go along. 110,000 mini-flats are accommodating 220,000 people. It is further supposed that about 80,000 of these little homes will be able to conform to official standards. The other 30,000 or so will, in the housing secretary’s rather chilling phrase, be “targeted for eradication.” But a question remains. There are 30,000 flats to be “eradicated.” They are home to 60,000 people. Where are all these people supposed to go?

The Property Report editors wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].