Generation Homeless?
May 24, 2023
How to help your kids secure themselves on the property ladder.
The number of Australian parents helping their children onto the property ladder is increasing yearly, not just in the number of families assisting, but also in the number of dollars needed to assist. The dream is getting farther away, the ladder appearing more like a giant climbing tower in a children's playground - through the eyes of a 2-year-old.
While most parents strive to help their children in any way they can, going over and above with financial generosity can present implications for their own retirement outcome later in life. All manner of savings and retirement funds should be considered and planned for carefully throughout life, to avoid any shortfalls when needed most. Not every parent can afford such lavish monetary gifts for their children.
But are there other ways parents can help?
Building a granny flat
in the family home backyard for your child to rent back off you, is indeed a concept to consider when thinking of ways to offer assistance. This provides four outstanding benefits;
1. Increasing equity in the family home,
2. Having the kids pay rent that isn’t dead money (i.e. paying rent to a landlord),
3. Saving the money to help your child when they are ready to buy, or build, their own home. Finally, the granny flat can be rented out again to another person - or the next child in succession!
4. Having an income-producing property enhances your exit strategy if and when you decide to sell.
Plus, it’s never a bad thing to have someone on your property in the event of needing a babysitter for the furbaby.
While we aim to avoid council approvals where possible, we understand that sometimes you don't want to compromise on your dream – and we hear you. If your build requires council approval, here are some proven ways to ensure the process is as quick and smooth as possible. Don't Cut Corners on Documentation Want a surefire way to delay your approval? Submit incomplete plans or forget a key document. We've watched families wait months because they missed one piece of paperwork. Here's what you'll typically need for a smooth approval process: Site plan, floor plans, and elevations Engineering details (structural documentation) Sewer and stormwater plans Energy efficiency report Title search and site survey Any specialist reports (bushfire, acoustic, etc.) We can help you gather all the required documentation. Don't try to navigate this alone – it's not worth the risk of delays and costly mistakes. Get Pre-Approval Advice – It's a Game Changer Did you know you can book a pre-lodgement meeting with your local council? Whether you're building in Moreton, Ipswich, Logan, or Gold Coast, this gives you the opportunity to: Ask all your burning questions Clarify complex planning rules Get early feedback on your design Build rapport with the assessment team This can be absolute gold for challenging blocks or if your design pushes boundaries. Think of it as insurance against rejection. Be Ready to Respond Quickly Sometimes the council or certifier will come back with an RFI (Request for Information). Don't panic – this is completely normal. But here's where speed makes all the difference. The faster you respond with clear, complete answers, the faster your Granny Flat approval moves through the system. Treat these requests like priority mail, because that's exactly what they are. When in Doubt, Call in the Experts If your project hits a snag, for example zoning challenges or energy efficiency overwhelm, don't try to battle it alone. We've seen too many families get months into their project only to hit a roadblock, pushing back their builds and costing them valuable time and money. We know building a Granny Flat in South-East Queensland can be confusing, which is why we created the " 21 Steps to Building a Successful Granny Flat ". It's packed with real advice from our Queensland builds, including design tips, approval checklists, and insider shortcuts that most builders won't share. This isn't some generic guide. It's based on real projects we've completed – the kind of practical advice that only comes from actually doing the work, day in and day out.
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