South Australian Property Searches Reveal Changing Housing Priorities
New data from PropTrack reveals significant shifts in how South Australians approach property searches, with findings pointing to fundamental changes in lifestyle preferences and housing needs across the state.
Analysis of search terms on realestate.com.au for South Australian properties shows the most dramatic increase was for "tenanted" properties, up 106 per cent over the past 12 months. This surge reflects growing investor interest in rental markets amid ongoing housing pressures.
Accessibility and Practicality Drive Demand
The data indicates a pronounced shift towards accessibility-focused housing, with searches for "brand new" properties increasing 97 per cent. Other significant increases include "accessible car park" (78 per cent) and "yard" (76 per cent), suggesting buyers prioritise practical outdoor spaces.
Perhaps most telling are the accessibility-related search increases: "wide doorways" rose 74 per cent, "elevator" 72 per cent, and "step-free entry" 70 per cent. These trends suggest Australians are increasingly planning for ageing in place and multi-generational living arrangements.
Harris Real Estate agent Tom Hector observes buyers are fundamentally rethinking their approach to property. "More than ever before, people love flat land. Anything flat that people can add onto is where there are lots of buyers," he said.
Forever Homes Replace Stepping Stones
Hector notes a significant behavioural shift, with buyers increasingly viewing properties as permanent residences rather than temporary solutions. "People are realising it's so difficult to buy a home right now that they're choosing to renovate or make decisions for the future," he explained.
The prohibitive costs of property transactions, particularly stamp duty, are driving this change. "The biggest killer at the moment people are considering is stamp duty. The buying and selling costs are becoming so expensive," Hector said.
Current market preferences favour practical layouts: four bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living areas and double garage on level blocks. "Everyone's about practicality, because older-style homes have floorplans all over the place," Hector noted.
Multi-Generational Living on the Rise
Independent auctioneer Brett Roenfeldt identifies multi-generational and multi-family living as increasingly common, driven initially by cultural preferences but now by economic necessity.
"There are families where their kids are grown up but perhaps not in rental accommodation, or they want to provide space for them if they return," Roenfeldt explained. This trend reflects broader housing affordability challenges affecting young Australians.
The ageing population also influences these patterns. "There are more looking for flexibility from a floorplan perspective to accommodate extended families and aged parents," he said.
Some communities are pooling resources to purchase properties collectively, often with redevelopment intentions. This collaborative approach represents an innovative response to housing affordability constraints.
For those choosing to age at home rather than enter residential care, government support packages may be available, providing additional incentive for accessibility-focused property choices.
These trends reflect broader demographic and economic pressures shaping Australian housing markets, with South Australia demonstrating clear shifts towards more inclusive, practical and long-term housing solutions.