If you live in Queensland, you have likely experienced the effects of the housing crunch. Young couples who dream of starting a family in a home of their own are realising that traditional house prices are well beyond their reach. In contrast, those looking to decrease their living quarters are discovering that the rental market is too steep to join.

Falling real estate prices and mandated moratoriums on new construction are motivating many Queenslanders to invest in their current properties rather than purchase or build new homes. Yet the renovations in this flat market are coming at a steep price.

Although investing in a current property may seem like a good idea in a down market, homeowners who choose this route risk overcapitalising the property if they splurge on items and materials that make the house more valuable than the neighbourhood. This can create a new set of financial problems when the time to sell finally comes around. In some cases, sellers are increasing their asking price as much as 10 per cent above true value just to cover renovation costs, which means their homes are sitting on the listings longer.
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Spending your holiday in your own personal slice of paradise in the rolling green hills of Queensland or along the captivating coast of the Barrier Reef may seem like an unattainable dream. Buying a holiday house comes at a steep price, while cheap holiday houses, reserved sight unseen, can be a gamble. 
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