Buyers opt for houses over units

Dwelling approval statistics show standalone house building is up

TREND: Buyers are choosing houses over units. Picture: Sidekick

AN IMPRESSIVE increase in standalone home buildings is a sure sign houses are making a comeback over units, with the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing a 14 per cent increase in dwelling commencements over the three months to September 2017.

Data for the 12 months to the end of September shows a four per cent increase in commencements for detached dwellings; a blatant contrast to the whopping drop of 40 per cent for unit commencements.

Master Builders Deputy CEO Paul Bidwell said this drop wasn't a surprise but it was of great concern for the builders who had concentrated in this sector, particularly in Brisbane and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.

"However, it's very positive for builders working in the detached housing sector and it's a trend we don't expect to see change any time soon,” Mr Bidwell said.

"Other recent dwelling approval stats provide a clear guide to the pipeline of future construction work in 2018, with standalone house building up, and unit construction down.

"Across the regions the dwelling approval data reflects a patchy start to 2018. The Sunshine Coast is avoiding the downturn that is affecting the rest of south east Queensland, while the Gold Coast is way behind because of a shortage of land.

"We're predicting that residential construction will continue to be concentrated in the south east but will shift away from large unit blocks to smaller developments (i.e. detached housing, townhouses and boutique unit developments).”

For more real estate, see the Noosa Property liftout in today's Noosa News.