In the September 2023 quarter, a remarkable 93.5% of property resales yielded a nominal gain, marking an increase from the previous quarter's 92.9%. The overall profit from national resales surged to an impressive $27.4 billion, up from $26.3 billion, while total losses dwindled to $313 million, down from $325 million.

However, a closer look at short-term resales, defined as those held for three years or less, revealed a slight uptick in the portion of loss-making sales, rising from 6.5% in the June quarter to 6.6% in the three months to September. 

CoreLogic’s Head of Research, Eliza Owen, said an increase in short term resales was happening amid rapidly rising interest costs, and may be a reflection of higher mortgage stress.

"While the portion of short term reselling dipped marginally quarter-on-quarter, resales with a hold period of three years or less hit a decade high in the year to September,” she said. 

The short-term resale losses were spread across Australia, with Melbourne – Inner (4.1%), Melbourne – West (3.7%), and NSW’s Central Coast (3.6%) experiencing the highest portions. The median loss from these short-term resales was -$30,000 in the September quarter and most were houses (64.8%). On the flip side, CoreLogic reports the median gross profit was $298,000.

Beyond the financial gains, there are compelling reasons to retain ownership of a well located, quality or full-of-potential property for an extended period. But don't fret if your property isn't deemed well-located or needs some work. On the contrary, it might hold future development potential. Perhaps it's a larger block that could be subdivided, and nearby developments in the street could serve as a precedent for your proposed project.

Holding onto your property can offer a range of additional benefits, including stability. Unlike other investment classes prone to drastic price fluctuations, the property market tends to offer a more stable environment. 

Property ownership can be a source of ongoing income through rental returns. Holding onto your property and leasing it out can provide a steady stream of revenue, potentially enhancing the overall financial viability of your investment.

Whether you’re an owner-occupier or investor, taking proactive measures to improve your property becomes an additional investment. Making value-added changes not only improves the quality of the living space but can also increases the property's market value, ensuring a more lucrative return in the long term. Certainly, also be cautious of “overcapitalising”.

Overcapitalisation occurs when property improvements exceed its resale value, making it hard to get your money back when you decide to sell the property. In such instances, even the passage of time may not put you in the black.

That warning aside, if you have been thinking about improving your property, adding a swimming pool or upgrading your bathroom or kitchen, are all upgrades that can increase your property’s value. While not a guarantee owning a property over the long term will likely see an increase in value.



https://www.corelogic.com.au/news-research/news/2023/short-term-loss-making-resales-continue-to-rise