How the “sandwich generation” is shaping current and future housing
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)’s 0.25% rate rise two weeks ago was largely expected by industry experts and lenders.
But our first increase since November 2023 was unsurprisingly, not welcome news for home owners and buyers.
Cotality believes that while the lift to 3.85% won’t alter the immediate housing market balance, the outlook for the cash rate remains clouded. At the same time, the national Home Value Index has already risen by 9% since the rate cutting cycle began a year ago.
These statistics are significant, especially for sellers, but it’s Generation (Gen) X who stands to enjoy some of the biggest property benefits. So much so that this “sandwich generation” (aged 46-60 and caught between looking after parents living longer and children not leaving home) is already shaping current and future housing, including State and Federal policies.
We explore Gen X’s strong housing stance, and what this means for them and the market, in our McGrath Report 2026. As I’ve previously observed, Gen Xers have the largest housing portfolio of any generation and are the clear winner of the generational capital gains race.
But this generation’s impressive position, as well as concerns such as the continuing costof-living crisis, is resulting in a major societal change: increasingly high numbers of multigenerational households. Australia’s many different cultures, where such households are the norm, is another reason for this move.
An analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data in June 2025 found one in five households is now multigenerational, up 22% from 2016. In addition, an Australian Institute
of Family Studies survey, published in June 2023, showed the proportion of 19-year-olds living with their parents has lifted from 63% in 2006 to 72% in 2021.
Such numbers are only expected to rise in the future too. An evaluation of the ABS’ 2024 Household and Family Projections report showed multi-generational households is expected to be a prevailing model for at least the next 20 years.
These figures are resulting in one common issue: a growing desire for larger homes, which can support three generations under one roof. Think separate living areas, extra storage space, dual kitchens and bathrooms, and easy access to different storeys.
Unfortunately, such homes aren’t readily available. According to the Housing Industry of Australia (HIA) and ABS data in February 2025, the average size of Australian dwellings has been on a steady, though modest, decline over the past 15 years. More than 70% of new home constructions in 2022-23 were also apartments, rather than detached homes. And of course, Australia’s construction industry issues aren’t helping this situation.
At the same time, many housing developers are now acknowledging the high number of multigenerational households, and producing new, and larger homes for these people. Other developers offer the option of home designs to suit such families.
But it’s the recent government policy changes to granny flats that have changed the multigenerational real estate space the most. These new policies are making property
life smoother and easier for Gen Xers and their family households while also adding significant value to properties and decreasing the pressure on our housing market.
This latter concern is one of the main reasons why governments are changing their tune on granny flats. In 2021, the Federal Government changed its laws to ensure granny flats could be set up for family members, without exposing the entire family home to capital gains tax.
Furthermore, in recent years, every state and territory government has streamlined planning and building approvals for granny flats, or has relaxed its legislation around these secondary dwellings. New rental laws in some areas have also enabled home owners to rent these dwellings to anyone. In other locations, homeowners can now subdivide their land, so they can demolish the family home and build two or more new dwellings for parents or children.
These government amendments are a big reason why builders expect to construct 10 times more granny flats in 2026, compared to 2022, according to a HIA survey in April last year.
There are many benefits to multigenerational living, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of these households in our property industry in the future. I certainly believe the number of these households will only increase.
John McGrath CEO & FOUNDER
“Recently sold a property with Scott’s aid and would not hesitate to use his services again. It is easy to see he has a great familiarity with the local market, he is very genuine with his advice, and he engages with you regularly. If you choose Scott to be your agent, his proactive approach to selling gives you confidence that your property is being sold with the right team.”
Born and raised on a large property in the country, Scott Petersen brings an exceptional depth of industry knowledge and a refreshingly down to earth manner to his role as Rural Sales Specialist. Honest and open, Scott takes a personal approach to property, and is always willing to go above and beyond to ensure his clients’ needs are met. He maintains a level head under pressure, while his easy-going nature, excellent communication skills and willingness to help others ensure dealing with Scott is a pleasurable experience. Specialising in and around Orange and Molong, he is the go-to rural/lifestyle expert with record sales results under his belt. Scott appreciates the opportunity to be part of such a well respected and high performing real estate brand. His passion, professionalism and commitment to first class customer service tie in perfectly with McGrath’s core values and work ethic, making Scott Petersen the ideal person to assist with any of your buying or selling needs in the Molong/Orange region.
Scott Petersen 0408 583 099 scottpetersen@mcgrath.com.au
What to look for when buying a holiday home.
Buying a holiday home is a dream for many people who want to have a place to escape to during their time off work, but it can be a daunting process. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start.
Here are our Top 5 Tips on how to buy a holiday home:
BUDGET
Firstly, it is important to decide on a budget. This will help narrow down your options and focus on properties that are within your price range. It is generally recommended that you spend no more than 30% of your income on a holiday home, as this will ensure that you can afford maintenance, associated fees or taxes.
LOCATION
When it comes to location, there are pros and cons to buying a holiday home close to home versus further afield. If you live in a city, then a beach or country location may be appealing, while those who already live in the country may prefer a city location. It is important to consider factors such as travel time, accessibility, and local amenities when choosing the ideal location.
PROPERTY TYPE
When it comes to the type of property to buy, you’ll need to decide whether an apartment, townhouse or house best suits your needs. Apartments are often a more affordable option and require less maintenance, but can be smaller and less private than houses. Townhouses offer a balance between apartments and houses, but may come with additional costs such as shared maintenance fees.
SHARED HOLIDAYS
If you’re considering sharing the purchase of a holiday home with family members or friends, this can be a great way to split the costs and ensure that everyone has access to holiday accommodation year-round. However, it is important to set clear boundaries and rules around usage and maintenance to avoid any conflicts in the future.
MAINTENANCE
You’ll need to ensure that the property is well-maintained and secure, even when you’re not there. So factor in the cost of insurance, repairs, and any associated fees or taxes.
Orange | Molong | Bathurst
Price
Agent Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
Rachel Smith 0499 820 763
Price
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
Price
Agent
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
Price
Agent
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
Price
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
Agent Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
Rachel Smith 0499 820 763
Orange | Molong | Bathurst
19 Wallace Lane, Orange 5 beds 3 baths 6 cars
SALE
Price Guide $2,100,000-$2,300,000
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
74 March Street, Orange 3 beds 2 baths 1 car
SALE
Price Guide $1,600,000 - $1,700,000
View Saturday 12.15pm - 12.45pm
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
13 Clontarf Close, Orange 4 beds 2 baths 3 cars
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
79 Thompson Road, Orange 4 beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide $2,200,000
View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
6 Clontarf Close, Orange 5 beds 2 baths 5 cars
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
15 Clontarf Close, Orange 5 beds 3 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
318 Belgravia Road, Orange 4 beds 2 baths 3 cars
SALE
Price Guide $2,000,000-$2,200,000
View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
24 Clontarf Close, Orange 4 beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
8 Rowan Street, Orange 4 beds 3 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide $1,400,000-$1,450,000
View Saturday 11.30am - 12.00pm
Agent Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
Rachel Smith 0499 820 763
Orange | Molong | Bathurst
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
Price Guide $1,290,000 - $1,340,000
View Saturday 12.15pm - 12.45pm
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
Price Guide $1,250,000-$1,300,000 View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Price Guide $1,300,000-$1,400,000 View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
Team Fitzgerald 98 McKay Road, Orange
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500 37 Westerly Drive, Orange
SALE
Price Guide $1,300,000 View By Appointment
Agent Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
Rachel Smith 0499 820 763
Price Guide $1,300,000-$1,400,000
View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500 16 Clontarf Close, Orange
SALE
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
Orange | Molong | Bathurst
9 Clontarf Close, Orange 4 beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
80 Stevenson Way, Orange 4 beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide $1,180,000 - $1,250,000
View By Appointment
Agent Tori White 0422 424 601
7 Clontarf Close, Orange 4 beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
78B Forbes Road, Orange 4 beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide $1,250,000 - $1,350,000
View Saturday 11.30am - 12.00pm
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
5 Clontarf Close, Orange 4 beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
26 Sophie Drive, Orange 4 beds 2 baths 4 cars
SALE
Price Guide $950,000 - $1,000,000
View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am
Agent Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
Rachel Smith 0499 820 763
20 Clontarf Close, Orange
beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
3 Clontarf Close, Orange 4 beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
1 - 28 Clontarf Close, Orange 4 beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 12.15pm - 12.45pm
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
Orange | Molong | Bathurst
35A Larela Circuit, Orange 4 beds 3 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide
$900,000-$960,000
View Saturday 11.30am - 12.00pm
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
16 McLachlan Street, Orange 3 beds 1 bath 1 car
SALE
Price Guide $650,000-$700,000
View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
62A Centennial Crescent, Orange Land
SALE
Price Guide $600,000
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
31 Pippin Way, Orange 5 beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide $850,000-$900,000
View Saturday 11.00am - 11.30am
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
7 Dougherty Place, Orange 3 beds 1 bath 1 car
SALE
Price Guide $630,000 - $650,000
View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
174 Shiralee Road, Orange Land
SALE
Price Guide $599,000
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
28 Prince Street, Orange 3 beds 2 baths 1 car
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 10.45am - 11.15am
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
62B Centennial Crescent, Orange Land
SALE
Price Guide $620,000
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
50 Ferguson Street, Canowindra 2 beds 1 bath
SALE
Price Guide $550,000
View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
Orange | Molong | Bathurst
Lot
SALE
Price Guide $510,000-$530,000 View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
8 Mallard Way, Orange Land
SALE
Price Guide $330,000 View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
502
5 beds 3 baths 3 cars
SALE
Price Guide $1,350,000 - $1,450,000
View By Appointment
Agent Jodi Murray 0428 461 910
Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
SALE
Price Guide $380,000 View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
SALE
Price Guide $295,000 View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
39 Riddell Street, Molong
4 beds 2 baths 4 cars
SALE
Price Guide $1,300,000
View By Appointment
Agent Jodi Murray 0428 461 910
SALE
Price Guide $335,000 View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
SALE
Price Guide $299,000 View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
39 Thistle Street, Molong
4 beds 2 baths 4 cars
SALE
Price Guide $1,050,000
View By Appointment
Agent Jodi Murray 0428 461 910
15 Mountain Vista, Orange Land
174, Sundowner Street, Orange Land
Lot 121, Whitebox Street, Orange Land
Shiralee Estate, Tanika Street, Orange Land
Lot 49, Joseph Street, Orange Land
Banjo Paterson Way, Molong
Orange | Molong | Bathurst
97-99 Kiewa Street, Manildra
9 beds 4 baths 4 cars
SALE
Price Guide $750,000-$790,000
View By Appointment
Agent Jodi Murray 0428 461 910
17
SALE
Price Guide $395,000
View By Appointment
Agent Jodi Murray 0428 461 910
153 Triangle Flat Road, Rockley
5 beds 1 bath 9 cars
SALE
Price Guide $1,150,000
View By Appointment
Agent Todd Houghton 0415 505 555
172 Hill Street, Molong
2 beds 1 bath 3 cars
SALE
Price Guide $500,000 -$550,000
View By Appointment
Agent Jodi Murray 0428 461 910
7
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Todd Houghton 0415 505 555
Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
19 Sydney Road, Raglan
3 beds 1 bath 6 cars
SALE
Price Guide $750,000-$770,000
View By Appointment
Agent Todd Houghton 0415 505 555
39 Queen Street,
SALE
Price Guide $450,000 - $490,000 View By Appointment
Agent Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
808 White Rock Road, Bathurst 7 beds 3 baths 6 cars
SALE
Price Guide $3,750,000-$3,850,000 View By Appointment
Agent Todd Houghton 0415 505 555
Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Molong Land
Penrose Close, Molong Land
Keppel Street, Bathurst
BEACHES
Thinking of Buying Out of Area?
Our Property Management team
Orange, Molong & Bathurst
Bec Hammond
Orange & Molong 0401 622 447 rebeccahammond@mcgrath.com.au
Dearne Yeghoyan
Central West 0400 795 271 dearneyeghoyan@mcgrath.com.au
At McGrath Property Management in Orange, Molong and Bathurst, our dedicated team takes pride in delivering exceptional service tailored to landlords and tenants alike. From comprehensive property marketing to thorough tenant screening, proactive maintenance coordination, and transparent financial reporting, we handle every aspect of property management with professionalism and care.
For more information about how our services can benefit you, please contact our Business Development Manager Rebecca Hammond in Orange and Molong or Dearne Yeghoyan in Central West.
We’re here to help you achieve your property investment goals.
Orange 02 7903 0753
Bathurst 02 6331 5555
Molong 02 6311 1534
Guiding you home