First National Real Estate CEO, Ray Ellis, is calling for state and federal governments to release more vacant land to meet increasing demand across Australia.

 “This country is facing one of the worst housing shortages in its histoy with no foreseeable easing of the situation in the near future,” Mr Ellis said.   “Housing approvals are still falling, and we are already facing a net shortfall of 50,000 new houses per annum on current figures. “These rates leave us with a chronic shortage of supply to meet the needs of the more than 35 million people expected to live in Australia within the next 40 years.  To keep up with demand, Australia should be building around 180,000 homes a year.”

Mr Ellis makes the call following forecasts that Housing Affordability is to decline further as strong demand and the ongoing lack of newly built homes keeps house prices increasing.  “This is in addition to recent ABS figures that show the prices of established houses rose again in the December quarter, in keeping with our own members’ experience, as outlined in our recent 2010 Property Outlook” Mr Ellis said.

The December figures showed house prices increased 5.2 per cent nationally, more than at any other time in 2009.  Mr Ellis said even the government’s National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) falls well short of addressing the issue.

 “The NRAS seeks to increase the supply of affordable housing for workers who service our cities,” Mr Ellis said.  “But there is no indication of an easing in rental vacancy rates for most areas in Australia, and, even with additional housing stock coming onto the market, there is still not enough to meet projected population growth figures.

 “Our estate agents are reporting strong demand for property before it is even on the market.  In one case, buyers enquired about properties that were available in stages two, three and four of an estate’s development, when they were just releasing the first stage. “And in Queensland, developers are still working on 2007 planning approvals, further impacting on the state’s ability to address its housing shortage dilemma.”

The Northern Territory will also continue to have an issue around housing stock availability in an increasingly tight rental and property market. “The government has already released land in an effort to cope with increasing demand and the impending Inpex and Sunrise projects will only increase pressure on the Northern Territory’s property market,” Mr Ellis said.  “But every state across Australia is facing this demand and supply issue, and the only real way to address it is to make more land available.”

According to Mr Ellis, there is still plenty of land that could be freed up so that Australians living and working here are able to enjoy their patch of grass, which research shows is what Australians, and those coming to live in Australia, are looking for.

·         Get rid of unsightly garden rubbish which detracts from the appeal of your garden. This goes for the garage, old sheds and any outbuildings.

Want to make your home more environmentally friendly but not sure where to start?

With green credentials a stronger selling point for a property than ever before, you can make small changes around your home today that will benefit the environment and increase your home’s value, according to First National Real Estate Queensland. "Adopting simple, environmentally friendly changes around the home is one of the easiest ways property owners can boost their asking price," First National Real Estate Queensland director David Hamilton said. "And as well as reducing your impact on the environment you’ll save money on utility bills."

Mr Hamilton said there was now keen interest from home buyers looking in properties that incorporate sustainable initiatives and that can boast good green credentials. "Homeowners can be overwhelmed by the deluge of information about climate change and energy issues and savings, to the point that they don’t quite know where to start when it comes to greening up the family home," he said. "But there are many ways to make positive changes for a minimal cost in terms of dollars and time."

First National Real Estate’s 10 tips for a greener household include:

• Install a triple A-rated showerhead and a dual flush toilet to cut your water usage.
• Replace standard globes with energy efficient (compact fluorescent) light bulbs.
• Install a water tank to use rain water on the garden. In some homes this can halve water usage and deliver a greener, more attractive garden during summer.
• Have your home’s insulation checked – walls and ceilings may need a top-up.
• Good insulation can save up to 55 per cent of heating and cooling costs.
• Repair the trim around windows and doors to prevent drafts and heat loss.
• When replacing old or cracked windows use double-glazed glass. It provides better insulation for heat and noise, while acting as a deterrent to burglars due to its strength.
• Use solar powered outdoor lights to illuminate your pathways and garden at night.
• Install ceiling fans. They’re far more energy efficient than air conditioners but will provide a cooling air-flow on hot summer days.
• Think long-term and plant deciduous trees in areas that let the sun in during winter and provide shade in summer.
• Start a compost heap to minimise waste sent to landfill, and provide your garden with a great source of nutrients.