Investors online have negative sentiment
Investors and home buyers are negative online about house prices, government residential housing policy and the chance of buying a first home, according to a new study.
The report, from 360m and Brandtology, analyses social media and housing affordability and found online opinions of government policy to be more negative overall than those expressed via traditional media outlets such as print.
Social media channels reveal that investors believe house prices are too high, and that the First Home Owners Grant has pushed them up.
Online house price discussions were reported as frequent, with many property investors and first time buyers mentioning selling their first homes due to higher interest rates.
The higher cost of living, widely discussed in social media, was named as a critical factor in making property unaffordable and pushing people to rent rather than buy.
The report analysed Australian news media and social media between 25 July 2011 and 31 August 2011.