Property

Home-Stay Boom, Solo-Rent Shuffle: What the Latest Housing Trends Mean for Your Wealth Strategy

Jun 25, 2025

Discover the trends affecting young people in Australia


Big shifts are happening in the way young Australians live—and the latest findings from Guardian Australia are a wake-up call for anyone looking to build wealth in today’s market. If you’re under 45, chances are your housing journey looks nothing like your parents’ did. Here’s what’s changed, why it matters, and how you can turn these trends into your financial advantage.

Source: Tom Cardy, “Young Australians delaying independence and renting longer,” Guardian Australia, 20 June 2025.


Key Findings: The New Reality for Young Australians

  • Six in ten Australians aged 18-24 now live with their parents - up from 43% in 2000. Sky-high rents and sluggish wage growth are the main culprits.


  • Solo renting among 25-34-year-olds is at an all-time high. More young adults are choosing flexibility and later partnering, but that means more one-bedroom leases and higher per-person costs.


  • Young renters are moving more often than any previous generation. Short leases and sub-par rental stock create a cycle of bond payments, removalist fees, and constant furniture upgrades - draining savings faster than you can say “open house.”


  • Mortgage pain peaks at mid-life. Buyers aged 35-44 are now paying about $12,000 a year more in repayments than their counterparts did a decade ago.


  • Women face a double hit. The gender wealth gap (women’s net wealth ≈ $428k vs men’s $597k) means delayed entry into the property market hurts women the most.


How to Turn Today’s Housing Hurdles Into Wealth-Building Wins


Challenge: Low-rent years under the family roof

Wealth Move: Don’t let “phantom rent” disappear into lifestyle upgrades. Funnel what you’d pay in rent straight into an offset account or index fund before lifestyle inflation creeps in.


Challenge: High solo-rent costs

Wealth Move: Consider rent-vesting—rent where you want to live, but buy a positively geared property in a growth market. You keep your flexibility and start building equity.


Challenge: Frequent moves draining your cash

Wealth Move: Build a “mobility buffer” into your budget. Set aside funds for bonds, movers, and décor upgrades so these costs don’t eat into your deposit savings.


Challenge: Buying later means bigger loans

Wealth Move: Look into co-buying joint ventures, shared-equity schemes, or using a guarantor. Getting into the market sooner lets compounding work in your favour.


Challenge: Women’s wealth gap

Wealth Move: Invest in confidence training, seek out mentorship, and diversify your income streams. Accelerate your equity catch-up and close the gap faster.


Ready for Hands-On Help?

👉 Book your complimentary Strategy Call and discover how you can turn today’s housing challenges into your wealth-building launchpad.