Home & Lifestyle August 25 2023

Could spare bedrooms help solve the housing crisis?

Based on research undertaken by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there are around 13 million spare bedrooms in Australia.

“Australia has a lot of spare bedrooms with close to half of all households having more than two bedrooms spare,” said Nerida Conisbee, Ray White Group Chief Economist (pictured).

The calculation of how many spare bedrooms a household has is calculated based on the Canadian National Housing Standard. Broadly speaking, the standard sets out that no more than two people in a household should share a bedroom and single people over 18 years should have their own bedroom.

“Overwhelmingly, couples without children have the most space with more than three quarters of them with two or more spare bedrooms. This is followed by lone person households

with more than half of them having two or more bedrooms. The type of occupant is also interesting. People that own their own home are the most likely to have two or more spare bedrooms. Renters are the least likely,” Conisbee said.

While the analysis doesn’t specify the age of people living in the household, the analysis by ownership and family type suggests that it is older couples who own their own homes that have the most spare bedrooms. A third of couples without children have three or more spare bedrooms, clearly more than enough for most people’s require ments.

“A lot of Australia’s housing prob lems aren’t necessarily about there being not enough homes but an inability

to use these homes most efficiently. We like having a lot of extra space in our homes,” Conisbee said.

“This became even more apparent during the pandemic. Even though international migration stopped during this time, rents rose, something that was difficult to explain at the time. Subsequent analysis by the RBA found that it was driven by more people choosing to live on their own and/or moving out of bigger households. The number of lone person households rose to its highest level recorded and average household size dropped to its lowest level, driven by rising wealth levels.”

Western Property

YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE ORAN PARK YOUR HOME

What is so great about this property?

Centrally located in Oran Park and at the heart of the booming south-west Sydney growth hub, this superb lot is available now.

Amazing access to existing and planned local facilities, all situated within a short drive to:

• Oran Park Podium Shopping Centre

• TRN House – office building

• LPC House – office building

• Perich Park

• Oran Park Library

• Youth and Recreation Centre

• Camden Council Civic Centre

• Julia Reserve and Active Recreation Park

• Oran Park Public School

• Oran Park High School

• Oran Park Anglican College

(K-12)

• Bus services throughout the district

• Oran Park Rail Station

(planned)

Lot 770 at 300m2 is located just a short drive from the Town Centre. This lot comes fully

serviced including “fibre-to-thehome”.

This lot is registered and ready to build on!

Land is selling fast, so we urge you to act today. Call the Oran Park Town Sales Office on 9043 7500, or visit oranpark.com.au.

Who does this property suit?

Anyone trying to break into the Sydney market

Tell us about the suburb the property is in?

Oran Park is a nationally recognised master-planned community that delivers sustainable

living, with a very strong focus on lifelong education, the delivery of early infrastructure, amenity and provision of a walkable neighbourhood with a diverse housing mix in addition to a growing impressive commercial and retail offering.

shower screen

• Generous-sized kitchen with stone benchtops

• Massive outdoor entertainment

• Ducted air conditioning throughout

• Large backyard that could fit a granny flat

Erskine Park FOR SALE

OPEN HOME

View Property

22/22-32 Hall Street, St Marys

View Property

Rare Opportunity 5,945sqm Block 4 3 15

• Gourmet full timber kitchen with s/steel appliances

• Open plan living with ducted air conditioning

• Real log fireplace situated in the middle of the house

• Double lock-up garage

• Fabulous outdoor alfresco entertainment

• Side access to this massive backyard

Contact Agent INSPECT By Appointment ADDRESS Erskine Park CONTACT Professionals Erskine Park 9834 3555 Angelo Mavris 0425 361 696

For more information visit: www.professionalsouterwesternsydney.com.au/real-estate/property/1220607/

Large Family Home Located In A Quiet Complex! 3 1 1

• Large combined lounge and dining area

• Kitchen space with abundance of cupboard space

• Bathroom with a separate bath and shower

• Low maintenance backyard with an under cover pergola area

• Dble garage providing 1 car spot & internal room

• Located in a quiet complex

Contact Agent

Sat 26 August at 11:30am - 12:00pm

22/22-32 Hall Street, St Marys

St Marys 9673 4422 Rob Masters 0414 281 291

For more information visit: www.professionalsouterwesternsydney.com.au/real-estate/property/1162605/

Member Name Goes Here Penrith Greater Region and Blue Mountains

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$649,950

Very Happy Sellers Happy Vendor SOLD SOLD

Gizzelle, you have done it again!

“ Gizzelle, you are amazing! You have done it again! We are very happy with Gizzelle’s service and transparency, that’s why we have decided to sell with her again. If you are thinking of selling or buying, we highly recommend Gizzelle Powell of RE/MAX Lifestyle Marketing ”

DAVID & CATHY, KINGSWOOD – Verified by RateMyAgent

Thank you the positive experience Litsa

Thank you Litsa for a wonderful experience. After seeing how you managed the sale of my daughter’s house for record price, I had supreme confidence in managing ours also. We’re extremely pleased with the results and Litsa hand holding us through the process. She is always available and help ease our anxiety. We sold in a dying market but somehow Litsa managed to get the sale in the top end of our asking price. This shows her skills and intimate knowledge of our area. If you need a reference, please do not hesitate to contact me. Kind regards Elizabeth & Alex.

– Verified by RateMyAgent

Another Happy Seller.

If you are considering selling your property please contact Gizzelle Powell today for a confidential discussion and market appraisal.

This is your last opportunity to secure a luxury apartment in the prestigious Metro precinct, centrally positioned in the heart of the Oran Park community.

Generously sized, this 3-bedroom apartment features ample floor space, sophisticated style and the finest finishes.

Built in partnership with the award-winning Allen Jack + Cottier Architects and currently under construction with Richard Crookes Construction, the residence is completed to a high standard with:

• Miele oven, gas cooktop, rangehood, built-in microwave oven and dishwasher plus striking Parisi tapware, tinted mirror splashback and Caesarstone benchtop centrepiece

• Ceramic tile floor throughout with carpet to bedrooms

• Ground floor entry, two levels of secure parking and a communal rooftop with barbeque facilities

Apartment G.03 3 2 2

Interior 111sqm

Exterior 33sqm

Total 144sqm

Price $829,500

9043 7500 metrocentral.oranparktown.com.au

ORAN PARK

CONFIDENCE RETURNS IN POSITIVE PROPERTY SIGN The

As reported previously in Broking Breakdown , the residential real estate market around much of Australia has proven resilient despite the impact of rising interest rates and cost-of-living pressures.

With predictions growing the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has possibly reached the peak of its increases to official interest rates and could even start cutting rates next year, the team at Bell Partners has been contacted by clients looking to purchase investment properties.

Most people who have held property over the last five years will have seen values soar during the COVID-19 pandemic years, and despite the RBA lifting its cash rate by 400 basis points in just over a year to combat high inflation, real estate prices have stayed strong.

Many of our clients have seen the equity in their properties

King of beasts!

increase significantly and they are eager to capitalise. For some, this could be a good reason to sell and pay down or even pay off the mortgage, while for others it’s an opportunity to buy an investment property and help

build a retirement nest egg. There have been signs of investors either entering or returning to the market. According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), new investment property loans increased for a

third straight month in June, although they were 15 per cent lower year on year.

PropTrack senior economist, Paul Ryan, said with interest rates set to come down next year and rents rising, investors will be more confident returning to the market.

“I think a lot of the uncertainty we had last year about just how high interest rates would go was one of the things that weighed on market activity and now, while we’re seeing interest rates increase, there is much more certainty about where housing costs will be later this year and into next year,” he said.

“People are pretty confident that while we may not be at the peak of rates, we are close. Which compares much better from a certainty perspective than last year when you didn’t know where you were going to be in 12 months.”

Zambi Wildlife Retreat is an exclusive and unique Not for Profit Animal Sanctuary, set in beautifully landscaped grounds.

A tour of the retreat allows you the opportunity to get up close and personal with some amazing animals and learn about their history and species. Zambi only allows limited visitors each week and you will need to book your spot on our website booking page here: www.zambi.org/bookings

The bookings are only available for a total of 7 guests and includes a tour of the retreat with an experienced guide where you will get to hand feed the macaw parrots and baboon monkeys. Complimentary hot and cold drinks and light snacks are included in the cost.

There is also the opportunity to add on animal encounters such as hand feeding the big cats and meeting the meerkats and little marmoset monkeys. This can be booked at the same time as your tour or added during your visit.

Entry is 9 years of age and older and a further age restriction of 12 years and older will apply to hand feeding the

zambi.org

TAKE BACK CONTROL OF YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

Do you ever wonder how certain companies get a hold of your email address and bombard your inbox with unwanted advertisements and promotions?

The good news is there’s a simple trick you can use to take control of your email address and gain insights into who might be selling your information. You can do this using an email feature called Plus Email Addressing, also called sub-addressing. By leveraging the plus (+) symbol as part of your email address, you can track where your address is being shared and manage your incoming messages more efficiently. The plus symbol is a powerful tool that most email providers recognise as a valid character in an

email address. It allows you to create variations of your primary email address without setting up separate accounts. For instance, if your email address is “john@example.com,” you can add a plus sign and an identifier of your choice to the left of the “@” symbol, like john+identifier@example.com. It is a quick way

Heel Pain Experts

Suffering morning heel pain or pain after activity?

With over 20 causes of heel pain, an accurate diagnosis is vital to your recovery. Our podiatrists are here for you.

to set up unique email addresses without getting a whole new email.

Usage Suggestions:

• Identify senders: For example, if you’re signing up for a newsletter from a website called Cruiseline, use an email address like “john+cruiseline@ example.com.” If you

start receiving spam or unsolicited emails on this specific address, you’ll know that the Cruiseline might be selling or sharing your information.

• Filter and organise: Set up filters based on the recipient’s email address. Utilise this feature to categorise incoming emails with the plus symbol automatically. For instance, you can create a filter that moves all emails sent to “john+cruiseline@ example.com” to a folder named “Cruises.”

• Track marketing campaigns: If you run a business or a website and engage in marketing campaigns, you can utilise the

THE TROUBLE WITH TOENAILS

Onychocryptosis, also known as ingrown toenails, is a common issue we podiatrists see daily. They happen when the nail plate penetrates the surrounding skin, resulting in discomfort, pain, and inflammation.

If left untreated, the risk of infection is increased. It impacts people of all ages but more typically in young adults and teenagers. The most common site affected is the big toenail at one or both edges of the nail.

For mild to moderate cases, conservative management is recommended. This includes proper nail cutting, warm water soaks, well-fitting footwear, and removal of the offending nail spicule by a podiatrist, usually resulting in immediate pain relief. However, recurrence is not uncommon. Factors that contribute to the worsening or occurrence of ingrown toenails include wearing short or tight-fitting shoes, an involuted nail shape, trauma such as an object falling on your toe or

stubbing it, a wide nail plate, excessive or uncontrollable sweating, and incorrect nail cutting. Cutting your nails too short can encourage the surrounding skin to overlap the nail, leading to an ingrown toenail.

Although some people prefer to attend regular podiatry appointments for conservative treatment, some desire a more permanent solution. In this case, a surgical approach known as a partial nail avulsion may be recommended. This simple procedure can be performed in clinic and involves the administration of local anaesthetic to numb the surgical site. Once the site is numb, you will feel pressure but no pain. Following this, a

plus symbol to track the effectiveness of your campaigns. Generate unique email addresses for different campaigns and promotional offers.

• Spot data breaches: Unfortunately, data breaches are not uncommon, and your email address may end up on the dark web without your knowledge. Using the plus symbol, you can trace the source of the data leak if you start receiving spam on a specific email address you never used.

This feature is supported by most email providers, including Microsoft 365 mail, Hotmail, Gmail, Outlook, Protonmail and Fastmail. Give it a try.

portion of the problematic nail will be removed, and phenol (a carbolic acid) will be used to cauterise the nail matrix (the root of the nail) to prevent regrowth. The toe will then be dressed using sterile dressings and postoperative care instructions will be discussed with the patient. This includes dressing advice, tips on pain management, and instructions for optimal wound healing. You will be able to walk immediately following the procedure. On average, it typically takes six weeks for complete healing. However, most people can resume normal activities days following the surgery. If ingrown toenails are a problem for you, seek help from a podiatrist.

THE DANGERS RAT BAITS

Spring is the time of year when many of us attend to our gardens and get out the weed sprays and snail baits. But be aware that while these products may save your garden, they may harm (or even kill) your pet, even if they are labelled as ‘pet friendly’.

Dogs, cats and other animals can be affected by ingesting rat bait directly or by ingesting rodents which have ingested rat bait. It is a condition to be taken seriously and early diagnosis and treatment may prove life-saving. There are two major types of rat bait:

• First generation drugs such as Ratblitz (active ingredient: Warfarin) have a short duration of action and require ingestion over a long period of time to be fatal.

• Second generation drugs such as Talon and Ratsak (active ingredient: Brodifacoum) which have a long duration of action and a single dose may prove fatal.

Rat bait acts as an anticoagulant (prevents the blood from clotting) by depleting the body’s supply of vitamin K. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin which is essential in the formation of clotting agents in the blood stream. It can take anything from one to five days after ingestion to begin to see the signs of intoxication.

Signs of intoxication are associated with bleeding and can range from very subtle signs such as pin point haemorrhages on the gums to heavy bleeding from anywhere. Symptoms of rat bait poisoning may include:

• Pale gums or small pin point haemorrhages on the gums

• Lethargy

• Bruising under the skin

• Blood in the urine or faeces

• Bleeding from the nose

• Continued bleeding from small wounds or cuts

• Vomiting and or diarrhoea

• Coughing or respiratory difficulties (laboured or rapid breathing)

• Seizures or muscle tremors

If you see your pet eating rat bait it is important to seek veterinary attention immediately. If you haven’t seen your pet ingest rat bait but find chewed or broken boxes, we also advise you to seek veterinary care as soon as possible. If you have the packaging of the rat bait, please bring take this with you to your veterinarian for prompt identification of active ingredients. The effects on a pet which has consumed rat bait will depend on which rat bait was ingested, how long ago, and how much of the rodent was eaten. Treatment for poisoning will depend on the severity of the toxicity and timing of ingestion. Blood may need to be taken for clotting tests and to assess for anaemia. Treatment may be medicating with vitamin K tablets for a period of time, often 30 days or more.

If you are using rat baits, make sure that they are always stored and used out of reach of children and other animals. Loose poison baits (pellets, meals) should

not be used; instead, the poison should be inside a bait station that cannot be accessed or opened by children and pets.

For further information on rat-bait poisoning, contact the team at Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital on 4736 2027.

Relax & Unwind

JANUARY

The Super Blue Moon, Saturn, Neptune and retrograde Mercury are stirring up your finance zones. So impulse buys today could lead to cash flow problems tomorrow. Astute Aquarians will avoid making expensive purchases or major money moves this week, as you’re inclined to view your current financial situation through rose-coloured glasses. Mars moves into your travel zone so plan a weekend getaway (or a longer holiday) for after September 15.

TAURUS

APRIL 21 TO MAY 21

With Venus (your power planet) and Mercury both in retrograde mode, your current inclination is to be timid and hypervigilant. But don’t overdo it Bulls! With Jupiter and Uranus rollicking through your sign, aim to be cautiously optimistic and moderately adventurous. Otherwise, you’ll miss fortuitous opportunities when they come along. As movie star (and birthday great) Ingrid Bergman reflected, “I regret the things I didn’t do, not what I did.”

LEO

JULY 23 TO AUGUST 23

Venus has been reversing through your sign for the past six weeks. So you may feel as if you’ve been treading water … or even going backwards. Has your Lion mojo gone missing? Has your ambition disappeared? Has a work project backfired? Or have you experienced problems with a colleague or client? Thank goodness Venus finally moves forwards on September 4. But you still have one more week to go – so slow down, pace yourself and be patient.

SCORPIO

OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22

Venus is reversing through your career zone, Mercury is retrograding through your peer group zone, and the Super Blue Moon fires up your friendship zone. So a work colleague could frustrate you, an authority figure could antagonise you, or a friend could give you confusing information. Avoid the temptation to just sulk, stew and simmer. A double dose of Scorpio charm and diplomacy will get you through with your reputation (and sanity) intact!

PISCES

This week the rare Super Full Moon’s in moody Pisces, and Mercury is reversing through your partnership zone. Plus Venus continues retrograding through your wellbeing zone. So – when it comes to your health (physical, mental and emotional) and close relationships –you’ll have to be extra patient with yourself and others. Be inspired by actress and comedian Lily Tomlin (who turns 84 on Friday), “The road to success is always under construction.”

GEMINI

MAY 22 TO JUNE 21

The planets activate your Gemini curiosity and rev up your restlessness. But you could encounter roadblocks along the way, as retrograde Mercury stymies your progress. Hasty actions and halfbaked plans will only lead to long-term frustrations. You’re full of fabulous ideas but make sure you can differentiate between fact and fantasy. If you balance dynamic action with a dose of discipline and a spoonful of reality, then you’ll have a productive week.

VIRGO

AUGUST 24 TO SEPTEMBER 23

Venus and your ruler Mercury are both retrograde so work, health, finances or family matters could be very frustrating this week. Heed the wise words of billionaire (and birthday great) Warren Buffett, “I’ve had periods of my life when I’ve had a bundle of ideas come along, and I’ve had long dry spells.” Be patient, keep things in perspective and keep plugging away. Put your clever Virgo mind to good use via reading, revising, researching and rehearsing.

SAGITTARIUS

NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21

Expect a domestic drama or a professional project to go haywire, as this week’s rare Super Blue Moon (and retrograde Mercury) leave you wondering what on earth is going on! Do your best to be especially diplomatic with a cranky colleague or a recalcitrant relative. Blunt honesty isn’t the best policy – communication will improve with some creative sugar-coating. A pinch of patience (not your usual modus operandi) will also help you muddle through.

Impatient Rams are keen to share information and exchange ideas with family, friends and work colleagues. But remember – Venus is reversing through your friendship zone (until next Monday, September 4) and Mercury is reversing through your job and daily routine zone (until September 15). And then – on Wednesday night – the Super Blue Moon lights up your self-sabotage zone. So make sure your amusing chatter doesn’t denigrate into gratuitous gossip.

CANCER

JUNE 22 TO JULY 22

The Super Blue Moon, Mercury, Saturn and Neptune are activating your travel and education zones. So it’s time to make plans for a future trip or new course of study. However – with Mercury retro until September 15 – you need to be extremely patient and persistent. Then – when the right moment manifests –you’ll be ready, willing and able to take flight. Be inspired by birthday great, singer-songwriter Florence Welch, “I like the idea of taking off like a bird.”

LIBRA

S EPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23

With Venus retrograde, and Mercury reversing through your self-sabotage zone, are you being your own worst enemy? Is the only person undermining your efforts actually you? Stop being an over-accommodating Libra who’s trying to please everyone. Instead, start focusing on your future health and happiness. Your motto is from birthday great, singer-songwriter Florence Welch, “You should have high expectations for yourself, and others should come second.”

CAPRICORN

DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20

Saturn (your ruling planet) and the rare Super Blue Moon stimulate your communication and education zone. But remember that Venus and Mercury are both in retrograde motion (until September 4 and 15). So make sure you communicate clearly; are extra patient and understanding with loved ones and work colleagues; and don’t assume you have all the answers. Clever Capricorns will take the time to revisit, revise, reconsider, re-evaluate and readjust.

Last week’s solution

Like Sudoku, no single number can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black . These need to be filled in with numbers that is a set of numbers with no gaps but can be in any order, eg [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to see how ‘straights’ are formed.

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org

If you like Str8ts check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store. The solutions will be published here in the next issue.

Word Search

Find all the words listed hidden in the grid of letters. They can be found in straight lines up, down, forwards, backwards or even diagonally.

THEME: SQUIRRELS

ARBOREAL

BURROWS

BUSHY TAIL

CHICKAREES

DIURNAL

FLYING

FORAGING

FOREPAWS

FOX SQUIRREL

GIANT

GRAY

GROUND

HAIRY TAIL

HIBERNATE

HINDLIMBS

LEAP

PRAIRIE DOG

PYGMY

SHARP CLAWS

STRONG LEGS

TUFTED-EAR

VEGETARIAN WOODCHUCK

Last week’s solution

Trivia Quiz

Test your knowledge about ‘Back to the Future’ in our special trivia quiz this week...

1. Which character is played by Michael J. Fox?

2. What is Doc Brown’s first name?

3. What nationality were the terrorists who shot at Doc Brown?

4. What was the name of Doc Brown’s dog in 1985?

5. What date did Marty McFly

originally travel from in the first movie?

6. What speed did the Delorean need to reach in order to begin time travel?

7. What was the name of the shopping mall car park where

TEST YOUR BRAIN

How

Like Sudoku, no single number can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. These need to be filled in with numbers that complete a ‘straight’. A straight is a set of numbers with no gaps but can be in any order, eg [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to see how ‘straights’ are formed.

Hexwords Country Corner

Name the Movie

If you can’t tell from the photo, drop the letters from the list below into the circles. We’ve given you a head start.

GVHURHANOTUREII

Previous solution: FATAL ATTRACTION

Lumsden releases new album

Following her successful sold out set at the Glastonbury Festival in the UK, award-winning artist Fanny Lumsden (pictured) has dropped her much anticipated new record, ‘Hey Dawn’.

Featuring the top 10 Airplay hit ‘Millionaire’ and her current single ‘When I Die’, this is Lumsden’s fourth studio album and the follow-up to 2020’s watershed Top 10, Golden Guitar and ARIA Award-winning album ‘Fallow’.

‘Hey Dawn’ is available now on all streaming services and CD.

Old Dominion’s new music American country supergroup Old Dominion is calling in the big guns for their new project, due out in October.

Rising star Megan Moroney will join the band for a duet on their new record, ‘Memory Lane’, an extension of the EP released earlier this year of the same name.

Blake Shelton is also featured on a song.

“We always knew this was going to be a full album,” singer Matt Ramsey said of ‘Memory Lane’.

“But we wanted to give our fans the opportunity to absorb it completely. Over the years, we’ve developed a conversation with fans, bad days, big moments; I’d like to think our songs make both better. We wanted to make an album that takes our songs and looks a little deeper into what happens between two people.”

The album is out on October 6.