Downsizing key to unlocking housing supply as over-55s hold millions of spare bedrooms

Key points

• A new realestate.com.au report says 88 per cent of households aged 55 and over have at least one spare bedroom, and 60 per cent have two or more. Two-bedroom homes were the clearest preference among downsizers, while low-maintenance living was their top priority.
• Many homes built from 2016 to 2021 were one to three bedrooms, showing a gap between supply and downsizing needs.
• Stamp duty costs and the hassle of moving were cited as barriers.