justis, perfectly aware of an average. although im not sure you understand "median" (or medium).... anyway, WA and NT haven't been hit due to mining/defence. but SA, QLD, NSW, VIC are all well behind the 7% growth average since the GFC. i know i shouldn't use a small snippet in time, and i don't disagree that real estate long term will only go up. my argument is that, from a financial standpoint, you'll struggle to make a buck over the next few years unless interest rates fall further. i can't see any growth occurring over 2-3% annually. if interest is 5% say, and rates/taxes/maintenance are all 1.5% more, i think you'll find that it isn't as great an investment as you thought. where is the underlying demand coming from to continue to push prices north forever? and in answer to scotty's comment about the top 100k richest, none of them own homes......their wifes do!
