Could buying early be the key to finding more choice in a changing market?

For a growing number of Australians over 50, current market conditions are leading them to carefully compare options as they plan their next move.This more cautious approach is allowing them to take multiple factors into consideration during their research, as the decision isn’t simply about downsizing, it’s about a new way of life – and a beautiful home is only part of the picture.Increasingly, value is being determined by the setting, the community and the freedom to enjoy it all.In Queensland’s Toowoomba region, a new community is offering a fresh take on what that life could look like.Set across 25ha in Gowrie Junction, Liven Carabella is a new over-50s land-lease community where architecturally designed homes sit alongside two distinctive lifestyle spaces – the Wellness Club and The Pavilion – designed around the way people want to live.“Buyers are taking more time to research, compare and understand what their next move will mean for their lifestyle and finances,” says Andrea Richards, CEO of Liven Communities.She says this is particularly apparent among buyers leaving larger properties.“Many of our enquiries are coming from acreage, so it’s less about wanting a smaller home ...