A young couple from Australia attracted some attention after buying their first home for a staggering amount.
It led to quite a debate online about the price of buying a house these days versus in the past, as well as how difficult it is to get onto the housing ladder.
In the end, the real estate agency released a statement of its own about the sale.
The young couple bought their first home, but paid plenty for it
The whole debate was sparked by a social media post from Aussie real estate agency McNeice.
The company shared a picture of a young couple looking delighted to have bought their first home together.
The house, situated in the New South Wales beachside suburb of Woonona, has three bedrooms, one bathroom, a car space, and a good-sized back garden.
It looks for all the world like the ideal first home for a young couple.
The caption of the post read: “Sold for $1.3 million.
“Congratulations to the first home buyers, Sean and Chloe, on their new home.”
A$1.3 million is well over $850,000 in US money, which could be where you start to get an idea of the nature of the debate.
Under the original post, hundreds of comments were left arguing about whether the price was right, realistic, or even ‘a joke’.
Genuinely, one comment read: “Is this a joke?”
Another simply said that the price is ‘nuts’ while a third wrote: “How in god’s name is anyone paying $1.3 million for their first home?”
Then the comments turned to the state of the house - which, as we’ve said, looked pretty good for a first home.
“Remember when a million-dollar house looked like a million-dollar house! And not just a shack,” one commenter said.
A second commented: “I’d be absolutely livid to spend $1.3 million and not even get an ensuite.”
The real estate company made a statement of their own
After the debate spread far and wide, the real estate company behind the sale decided to weigh in, with the founder Troy McNeice defending the price and sale.
“We are absolutely thrilled for our sellers and delighted with this fantastic result. It’s always special to see a much loved home go to a deserving young couple ready to create their own memories,” he said.
“We’re equally excited for our first-home buyers and want to celebrate their determination and perseverance.
“Their journey is a wonderful reminder that, despite the challenges in today’s market, taking that first step is possible.
“We wish them every happiness as they begin this exciting new chapter in their new home.”
In truth, this isn’t just an Australian problem, nor is it an unusual one.
House prices are seriously high around the world, and it’s no surprise that young people find it hard to get onto the property ladder.
Things don’t look set to get much easier soon, either.