Australian Mc Mansions - houses are getting bigger, the pros and cons

The race is not over the Mac burger size but the homes we live in. In a surprising turn, Australia has topped the world.

Many conservative and yuppie urban Aussies who used to showcase Federation homes, terraces with hip and funky renovations, are increasingly accepting oversized houses are a fixture and fact of life. Some are even enticed to build one for themselves especially if the family is growing for young professionals holding steady and well paying jobs. Others seem to have been won over by the advantages and comforts of having more living space and less maintenance to worry about during precious days off and weekend.

That councils in non-bushland areas are generally less stringent on land-house ratio has allowed developers offering land and house package to build impressive mansions without burning a hole in the wallet. Of course these are further from the city and amenities are not as handy compared to older and established estates.

Another social development which has boosted the popularity of huge residential abode has been the return to extended families as grown up children continue to live with parents. Expensive rentals mean that the children are likely to hang around till marriage.

Migrants also take up a slice of the residential property market. With either accumulated savings from decades of hard work or new found business generated wealth in booming economies, some of these settlers who hail from crammed housing in countries where land is scarce or restrictions are imposed on buildings, there is never a better time to tailor build their dream home in the new land.

However, it is ironic that many adopted Aussies who yearn for greenery and open spaces are finding themselves surrounded by the concrete jungle that has sprung up as more people build bigger homes. Smaller homes are no reprieve either. Many young first home owners who opt for convenience and accessibility instead of huge abode, are buying up townhouses and villas. However, the shared strata and management fees are hefty compared to independent titled properties.

It may be for this reason that some conservatives are resisting the allure of subdiving their acreage lands, some working farms, orchards or simply vacant unattended fields on the outskirts of the CBD Sydney. However, as the pressure for residential housing builds up and the economy picks up in the next few years, there will be increased demand for more new homes or rebuilding of old ones which are bigger but on relatively smaller land.

- c.g.