‘We’ve created this entitlement’: 28yo with 15 properties doubles down on controversial home buying claim

The housing crisis has been a big talking point for years, and now one young landlord’s opinion has shown how divided we are.

A former tradie turned property adviser has claimed that Aussies who can’t afford to buy a home aren’t blameless; in fact, it is all their fault.

Jack Henderson, who owns over 15 properties and has amassed a multimillion-dollar empire, has argued on national television that the housing affordability isn’t that bad for young people.

Australia’s smack bang in the middle of a housing crisis.

The median house price in Australia’s combined cities is over $1 million, and the median unit price is $688,158.

In November, financial comparison website Finder released research that found that the minimum household income required to afford the mortgage for an average Australian house is $182,000, while those owning units need about $130,000.

When you factor in the fact that the average personal income for a Gen Zer is $54,065, it quickly becomes apparent that housing affordability is exceptionally tough for young people

Mr Henderson, however, doesn’t believe things are as bad as so many young Aussies are claiming.

The 28-year-old left school to become a tradie but now runs a property advisement firm and is fast becoming a real estate tycoon.

He got Aussies riled up this week when he appeared on Insight and claimed it’s never been easier to buy a home in Australia.

“I think it’s the easiest it’s ever been with all the incentives out there for first-time buyers in many states,” he said.

“You need a five per cent deposit, you pay no lender’s mortgage insurance, and you pay no stamp duty. The only thing easier than that would be giving you a home for free.”

Jack Henderson said it is easy to buy a home right now. Picture: Instagram/JackHenderson

The 28-year-old owns 15 properties. Picture: Instagram/JackHenderson

Mr Henderson’s comments kicked off a fiery debate.

Someone called his claim “arrogance personified”, another said he was “so out of touch it is laughable”, one said he came across as “smug”, while someone else accused him of being a “property hoarder” in the middle of a housing crisis.

It wasn’t a purely negative response, though, to his non-nonsense words for young Aussies.

There were also plenty of people on his side, especially around the idea that young people just aren’t prepared to sacrifice enough to buy.

“He is 100 per cent correct. People want everything now. There is no delayed gratification,” one claimed.

“He is right to a certain extent. People have no idea how to scrimp and save anymore,” another remarked.

“He is spot on. Stop whinging and start saving,” one declared.

“He worked, saved, and used his money wisely. The bottom line is, if you want to get ahead, you will,” someone else said.

There were people online agreeing with Mr Henderson. Picture: Instagram/JackHenderson

Mr Henderson said he doesn’t think the cost of living crisis is as terrible as people say. Picture: Instagram/JackHenderson

Speaking to news.com.au, Mr Henderson said that the cost of living crisis isn’t “that bad” and people just love to “exaggerate” and embrace a “victim mentality” instead of working hard.

“It is severely irritating that Australia has a victimhood mentality,” he said.

“We’re in a time that is very easy and we’ve created this entitlement.”

Mr Henderson argued that young people moaning about not being able to retire comfortably need to stop whinging and start thinking about their own decisions.

“You can’t retire because you’ve done nothing right for the last 30 years. Not being able to buy a home is because of what you’ve done,” he said.

“If you don’t own a home it is your fault.”

He said people need to work hard to get ahead but that is normal. Picture: Instagram/JackHenderson

He said if people don't own a home they need to think about why. Picture: Supplied

Mr Henderson argued that if “you want something, you have to go work for it” and complaining about being locked out of the housing market isn’t very productive.

“People often don’t want to admit that they are at fault. Putting the blame onto everyone else like the government is because it is easy to push the blame onto something else,” he argued.

“It is easier than looking in the mirror and thinking, ‘Is this because of me?’”

The 28-year-old admitted that homeownership isn’t cheap in Australia but added “it shouldn’t be cheap” and said at no point through history has anyone buying a home thought it was “affordable”.

He said people need to reflect on their own choices. Picture: Supplied

He advised to buy before you get more baggage Picture: Supplied

Mr Henderson said he understands that some people are working really hard and still can’t afford to buy, but he doesn’t have sympathy for them.

“There’s no denying people work hard but that isn’t unique. They’re putting money into the wrong places,” he said.

“Being successful is hard, being unsuccessful is hard. Being wealthy is hard, being poor is hard, being fit is hard, being unfit it hard. We all have the choice.”

The 28-year-old also argued that the longer young people don’t get into the property market, the harder it will be because as you get older, you accumulate financial baggage like children or credit card debt.

“It becomes harder, but that isn’t a cost of living thing, that is the decisions people are making,” he said.

Mr Henderson argued that Aussies that are whinging about being locked out of the property simply “didn’t do the right thing” in their early twenties and, as a result, haven’t set themselves up for success.