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Local Betoota Heights dad, Karl Valance (57) is a rose amongst thorns when compared to the rest of his generation.
As a man who knows how to live within his means, and has no desire to accumulate generational wealth at the expense of young Australian families, Karl only ever bought one home.
It’s a property he liked the look of back in 1982, and has only renovated once or twice in the three decades since then – after deciding he felt like having a pergola and an in-ground pool tacked on to the back of his castle.
However, with intergenerational wealth disparity at an all-time high, and the housing market completely out of reach for his own kids and their cousins – Karl feels helpless as to what to do about it.
“It’s fucked. I get it. Yada yada. This place only cost me 50 grand, and I’d be able to sell it for 3 rocks tomorrow If I wanted”
“Yes. It’s my generation’s fault. Yes. It’s unfair”
“And I can’t fucken tell you what we are gonna do about it. Other than letting my three kids and their families move in here with us and put their names on the title… None of them are gonna be able to nab any land of their own”
In fact, the only thing Karl does know is that they aren’t gonna find a way to save the world around the Christmas dinner table.
That’s why he’s banned any conversations about the property market in his house for the entire holiday season.
“That goes for any of my deadshit nephews who wanna talk about ‘the last gold mines’ or ‘great opportunities’ on the Sunshine Coast too” he said.
“No speculating. No arguing. No advice or tips”
“No chat about negative gearing, stamp duty, overvaluing, the Sydney bubble, or home buyers grants.”
“Nothing. We have a Federal election to get through next year. So I don’t wanna hear any of this shit until after New Years”
As Karl points out, this year’s Christmas lunch convos will be strictly based around test cricket, the food and the pandemic.
“That’s what I want” he says.
“It’s my house. My only house. So it’s my rules”
“So shut the fuck up”
