Tracey Chandler - Buyers Agent

Your Exclusive Buyers Agent -

Specialising in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs 

and Lower North Shore

0416 100 839

tracey@tcba.com.au

  • Home
  • Why use Tracey?
  • How It Works
    • The Process
    • FAQ
  • Buyers
    • Buying a home
    • Buying an Investment Property
    • Overseas Buyers
  • Services
    • Full Property Search
    • Evaluate and Negotiate only
    • Auction Bidder
    • FEES
  • Testimonials
    • Video – Past Clients
    • Video – Real Estate Agents
    • Written Testimonials
  • News
  • About Tracey
  • Contact
  •   0416 100 839

April 24, 2015

Houses or Units – The Debate Continues

April 24, 2015
share
share
tweet

single dwellingIn an article for Property Update, George Raptis puts forth his opinion on which would win in a toss-up between houses and units about which one is the best property to invest in. The traditional line of thinking suggests that the “value lies in the land and not the building”. This implies that houses should be favoured over apartment units.

Houses and units are inherently different

In Raptis’ opinion, however, both are quite unlike each other and cater to separate needs. Two buyers with different mindsets may accord different values to them, nominating house over unit and vice versa. What you seek as a buyer goes a long way in deciding which way you may lean towards.

The deciding factors

As a property investor, what weighs heaviest on your mind? Is it capital growth? Rental yield? Proximity to the cafe culture/transport/amenities? Financial affordability?

Raptis contends that owner-occupiers might push certain demographics very high on the capital growth radar and these are the areas where units are likely to surpass houses.

An important statistic

A significant statistic emerges suggesting that between 1986 and 2011, single-person households have shot up by 5 per cent, whereas family households have come down by 6 per cent. This, not surprisingly, is a clear proof in favour of units. It is also evident that in some areas, the rate at which units are soaring is above their counterpart- the single dwellings.

Body Corporate fees

One aspect about apartments that you need to prefigure is the structure of the Body Corporate fees. They should not be high enough to encroach upon the profits coming out of the positively geared properties.

In Raptis’ view, you will be doing good if you take care of the demand-supply graph, demographic and need for portfolio diversification; possibly the three Ds of property filtering.

You can read the original article here.

Gentrification

In my view, gentrification should be accorded more importance than it has been given in the past. How collective societies develop, how they move towards urbanisation and make their bid towards cafe culture (coping with it first and then reveling in it) determines the choice of units or single dwellings. In my view, the “value of land” debate holds a lot of water and yet Australia, with time, is more likely to move towards dominance of unit apartments.

Which (houses or units) do you accord more importance and why?

Related posts:

  1. Houses or Apartments: Which One Makes For a Better Investment?
  2. Detached Houses Worth Lot More Than Units
  3. Gap in Median Price of Houses and Units
  4. Sydney Units Offering Higher Rental Yields Than Houses

Get Your Dream Property Sooner

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Most Popular Articles

  • auction tips Pre-Auction Tips: 9 Things To Do BEFORE Auction Day under Features
  • property investment quotes 7 of the Best Property Investment Quotes of all Time under Features, News
  • hiring a buyers agent 10 Important Questions to Ask a Buyers Agent Before You Hire Them under Features
  • two bedroom apartment in Sydney Here’s Why it’s Better to Buy a Two-Bedroom Apartment in Sydney under News
  • finding a dream home in Sydney How to find off-market property in Sydney (before anyone else!) under Features
  • 5 Key People To Ask for Real Estate Investment Advice under News

Recent Articles

  • 7 Tips for Buying a Home in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs

    7 Tips for Buying a Home in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs

  • How To Avoid Emotional Attachment To Property

    How To Avoid Emotional Attachment To Property

  • Why Are So Many Sydney Homes Sold Off-Market?

    Why Are So Many Sydney Homes Sold Off-Market?

  • Should you engage a buyer’s agent for an auction?

    Should you engage a buyer’s agent for an auction?

Topics

buying property during COVID-19 financial freedom first home buyers forecasts home inspection home owners home prices home renovation home valuation how to buy a home interest rates lifestyle mortgages overseas investors property auctions property investing property investment property negotiation property valuation real estate real estate agents real estate industry sydney eastern suburbs sydney property market taxation

Feedback from Clients

Areas Served: Eastern Suburbs | Lower North Shore | Inner West

Copyright © 2025 by Tracey Chandler - Buyer's Agent in Sydney. All Rights Reserved.

339 Oxford Street, Paddington NSW 2021, Ph: 0416 100 839

recommended buyers agent award

WINNER

"NSW Highly Recommended Buyers Agent Award"

sydney real estate logos

Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Disclaimer

Connect with us on:

google reviews
4.9 ★★★★★
Based on 60 reviews
google reviews
4.9 ★★★★★
Based on 60 reviews