Housing availability continues to be a pressing issue for many Australian voters, with experts saying it’s the centre of the cost-of-living crisis.

Managing director of Strategic Property Group Trent Fleskens says the current price of homes is the first barrier blocking new entrants out of the property market.

Mr Fleskens says several decades ago, Australians could purchase a home for three to four times their annual income. In Perth, it’s now estimated to be eight times.

“Every year it takes to save is another year you’re falling behind,” he says. 

Mr Fleskens says stamp duty is adding another few years of saving to the purchasing decision for a first home buyer. 

In WA, first home buyers are exempt from paying stamp duty on properties valued at $500,000 or below. With the median house price in Perth estimated to be $750,000, most properties that qualify for the scheme don’t align with what first time buyers are faced to pay.

Mr Fleskens says he wants to see the first home buyers rate of stamp duty indexed to the median house price so most first home buyers are exempt from the tax.

Finance director at G7 Finance Kevin Gomer says the current housing market is extremely strong and in high demand. 

Perth’s housing prices have grown at an average rate of 6.5 to 7.5 per cent per year over the past century. With the government actively encouraging immigration, the demand for housing is expected to surge. 

With the construction industry unable to keep pace, this causes delays in new homes being built across WA. 

He says those currently struggling with an inflated cash rate will struggle further to save for a house deposit. 

Mr Gomer suggests the government should lend first owners a deposit and pay it back, similar to a help loan. 

As the cost-of-living crisis increases, so too are the materials used to build homes. The market is only going to increase. 

“We live in a market where both investors and first home buyers can buy, we’re a multiple market,” he says. 

Mr Gomer suggests grouping up with a close friend or family member to buy as the price inherently must go up and we cannot produce property. 

Newly engaged couple Natalia Xavier, 23, and Lucas Munoz, 24, say they have been looking to purchase a home for six months. 

“We’ve had to adjust our expectations as most of the houses we looked at need work so we’ve had to have the conversation of renovating,” Mr Munoz says.

Miss Xavier says it’s been difficult to save for a deposit since coming out of university. 

“Everything is going up in price. Wages aren’t going up, so we’ve tried saving as much as we can, but it’s difficult when income and cost of living just aren’t aligning,” she says. 

Bella Messina, 22, says her hunt for a home has been disappointing, with most homes out of reach. 

Since beginning the search two years ago, she still feels so far away from being able to afford a home.

“Coming from a big family I’ve always wanted to live close as we lean on each other for support, but I’ve had to consider looking into units and apartments,” she says. 

Ms Messina says home ownership has become out of reach for her generation, and she hopes governments can do better for young people trying to gain access into the housing market.