We read this week that Australian houses are now the world’s biggest, with the average 215m2 pipping the United States (202m2), and with Britain averaging a rather squeezy 76m2. My how we’ve grown, as the homes being built take up more and more space on the block, and now include rumpus rooms, entertainment rooms, 5 or 6 bedrooms, en-suites, a study…the list goes on.

While there are many reasons for the ‘super-sizing’ of Australian homes, McCarthy Group’s approach is to recommend investment properties that are primarily well located and that are affordable to mainstream Australians.

An investment property must meet two affordability tests: it must be affordable to the owner, and affordable to the tenants, so that any downtime associated with tenants moving is minimised.

Our experience over the years has enabled us to perfect our model, based on hundreds and hundreds of completed projects, across the eastern seaboard and up as far as Darwin. Investment property is not about having the biggest and best house in the suburb, one that would be the envy of everyone that drives past. It is about being attractive, yet affordable. Comfortable, with high quality fittings and finishes, but without costly extravagances.

Depending on the market, some of the properties will have air conditioning as standard, and possibly a swimming pool. However, these are inclusions that we only recommend in specific markets if experience has shown that they are necessary to attract mainstream renters.

So while your own home might be the size and luxury of a McMansion, when it comes to recommending an investment property, McCarthy Group will present a different blueprint. The reason is that you need to be able to afford to hold it. And get tenants. After all, you want to rent it out rather than live in it yourselves. We can guarantee, however, that it will be a beautiful home, and one that you may even like to live in one day, when your turn to retire comes around.

If you would like to learn more and discuss how McCarthy Group can assist you in starting your own property portfolio, click here.