Block sizes have undoubtedly become much smaller in Toowoomba in the last few years. The backyard has been decreasing in size for many decades from the traditional quarter acre block to 600sqm and over the last couple of years to as small as 220sqm. The arguments for smaller blocks are that it makes housing more affordable and slows urban sprawl. In Toowoomba there has been a lot of resistance to smaller blocks resulting in most being sold to interstate investors. This comes with it's own issues including some estates becoming rental ghettos, lack of car parking and low quality building design. If designed correctly, there are some segments of the market well suited to smaller lots, including retirees and first home buyers who do not wish to have a large yard, however estates should have a mix of small and large block sizes to include and integrate a multitude of both home owners (first home buyers, families and retirees) and investors (and tenants) so that ghetto suburbs are avoided. In Toowoomba, we are fortunate to still have acreage land available within 15 minutes of the CBD and generally for similar prices to small city blocks. These generally sell to owner occupiers and have a high standard of housing, however their availability is becoming more limited and therefore in higher demand, especially those who wish to have room to build a shed. View more videos ... www.brendanhoman.com.au

Be the first to comment