‘First home buyer schemes putting buyers in excessive debt’

And while the government’s intention might be good, PRD’s chief economist, Dr Diaswati Mardiasmo, warned of possible long-term challenges for current buyers.

With the FHLDS foreseeing a slim 5 per cent deposit and the FHG an even slimmer 2 per cent, first home buyers and single parents are essentially being asked to service a higher level of mortgage debt, Dr Mardiasmo explained.

For instance, a $600,000 Gold Coast property with a 2 per cent deposit at just $12,000 and a First Home Owner Grant of $15,000 will still accrue $573,000 in mortgage debt, excluding other fees.

Similarly, under the FHG, a $650,000 home in Brisbane, with a $32,500 deposit and a $15,000 grant yields $602,500 in mortgage debt.

Additionally, Dr Mardiasmo said, the new price caps open up a higher probability for certain price bands to inflate, lifting prices on what was once thought of as “affordable”.

“This potentially prices out the next generation of first home buyers and single parents, creating a multiplier effect of reliance on government incentives.”

“It seems that the current government schemes are a catch-22, swapping early and/or easier access to home ownership with a debt level that the target demographic may not be ready to take on,” the chief economist opined.

Looking ahead, Dr Mardiasmo urged the government to closely review current issues in the housing market in order to implement the right policies.

She recommended reestablishing balance by implementing schemes that will add to the supply of housing stock.

“These government schemes add to the demand, and thus must be balanced with schemes that will at least create the same amount of supply,” she highlighted.

Warning of the impending return of migrants, the chief economist judged that “at present our property market is sheltered from international demand”.

“Once again, policy – or more correctly, the right policy – really matters.”

The issue of housing supply has become a hot topic countrywide. Most recently, the Real Estate Institute of Australia addressed the apparent crisis, with its president, Adrian Kelly, calling on the state and federal government to tackle a housing supply plan with “the same spirit, determination and funding we have used to fight COVID-19”.

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