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Oversized homes might impress on Instagram but smart design builds income and resilience.
Recent commentary from architecture enthusiasts, Kevin McCloud and Tim Ross has reignited an uncomfortable truth about Australian housing. Our homes keep getting bigger. Our blocks keep getting smaller. And practicality nowhere to be found.
For decades, size has been treated as success. Extra living rooms. Dedicated theatre spaces. Grand voids. Rooms that look good in photos but rarely get used.
It is aspirational design.
The problem is aspiration does not always align with affordability. Or function. Or long-term financial resilience.
That is where dual occupancy investment thinking changes the conversation.
Australia now builds some of the largest homes in the world. Yet household sizes are shrinking. Many families are feeling mortgage pressure. First home buyers are locked out. Renters are competing for limited stock.
We have been designing homes around lifestyle fantasy rather than economic reality.
McCloud and Ross question whether we need all this space. It is a fair question. More square metres mean higher build costs, higher maintenance costs and higher holding costs.
From an investor perspective, every extra square metre must justify itself.
If it does not add demand, rental appeal or income potential, it is simply cost.
A dual occupancy investment starts with a different brief. Instead of asking “How big can we build?” we ask “How well can this perform?”
DPN’s dual income property designs pair a three or four bedroom dwelling with a two bedroom dwelling under one roof. Two separate entries. Two garages. Two alfresco areas. Genuine privacy. Functional floorplans.
The three bedroom suits families.
The two bedroom suits couples, downsizers or singles. And importantly, it fills a gap in the market. Developers rarely build standalone two bedroom houses. The alternative is usually a unit. Many tenants want the affordability of a smaller home but not apartment living. They want ground level access, a small grassed yard, parking close to the door and no shared common areas.
It reflects how people actually live.
There are king master bedrooms. Proper queen secondary rooms. Dedicated laundries. Outdoor space that will actually be used. No wasted formal zones. No novelty rooms. Every space earns its place.
This is not about shrinking ambition. It is about sharpening it.
From an investor perspective, every extra square metre must justify itself.
A traditional oversized home relies on a single income stream.
A dual occupancy investment delivers two.
That means diversified rental income, stronger cash flow and reduced vacancy risk. If one tenancy turns over, the asset still produces income. That is not just clever design. That is risk management built into the floorplan.
And because the dwellings are self contained and practical, they appeal to a broad rental market. Families, multigenerational households and tenants seeking affordability without compromise.
This is housing aligned to real demand.
The cultural shift away from oversized homes is not about settling for less. It is about building smarter.
A well executed dual occupancy investment proves that thoughtful design can meet people’s needs and support financial outcomes at the same time.
When you think like an investor, you design differently. You remove waste. You prioritise function. You create flexibility. You build assets that work harder.
A smart home is not the biggest one on the street. It is the one that performs in any market.
And right now, performance beats prestige.
If you're considering a dual income property, talk to DPN about building a strategy that delivers income, growth and long term resilience.
The information provided is general in nature, it does not constitute financial or investment advice and should not be relied upon as such. You should consider your personal circumstances and seek independent professional advice before making any financial decisions.
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