Howard Broadbent has been overwhelmed with support after putting a community call out for a pet to help take care of during the day. Source: Howard Broadbent..

Restricted from owning a dog in his unit, a lonely Aussie pensioner’s heartbreaking plea has sparked a flood of support – with neighbours offering their pups for walks, cuddles and company.

Howard Broadbent, 67, lives in an inner-city unit in Brisbane’s New Farm that is “unsuitable for pets.” He put out a desperate call to the community, asking if anyone needed a hand caring for their own dog and was flooded with furbabies.

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A Brisbane pensioner has drawn an outpouring of support with his heartfelt plea after missing his dog Tessa whose image he shared. Source: Facebook

Howard Broadbent’s heartbreak over the loss of his beloved dog Tessa has led to him wanting to help someone else care for theirs. Source: Howard Broadbent..

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“I set out with the intention of finding someone local who needs their doggy companion looked out for on a semi-regular basis,” he told The Courier-Mail. “I’m interested in finding one person who has a dog I match well with so that I could pick up, look after through the day and drop off home later. I’m not looking for multiple people/dogs to care for, as in a dog-walker type situation.”

Mr Broadbent’s love for dogs is deeply personal. Five years ago, his beloved Blue Heeler x Kelpie, Tessa, passed away at nearly 16, suffering badly from arthritis.

“She was such a beautiful companion to me and I still miss her a lot. Shortly afterwards, I moved into a one-bedroom unit in New Farm. It wouldn’t be fair to a dog to live with me in this current situation, so I haven’t got another one.”

“I’m a big fan of our canine friends, though, and will often ask people when I’m out walking if it’s okay to pet their dogs. People are almost always happy for this type of interaction for their pet, as it’s friendly and also good for socialising their dogs.”

Some residents expressed hope that one day responsible pet ownership could be allowed in all units. “I’m so sorry you can’t have a dog to love in your apartment. Hopefully in time regulations will change,” one neighbour wrote. Source: Facebook

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His heartfelt request to love a dog again has turned him into a local hero and created an accidental community dog-sitter side hustle.

As a pensioner, he can earn up to about $200 per week without affecting his pension.

He offered to care for dogs on weekdays while their owner is at work – walking, playing, feeding, and even washing them with approved shampoo.

One person wrote “good on you, I hope you make some wonderful new furry friends in the neighbourhood!” Another said “dogs are therapy,” while a third offered to join him on walks, “love all the responses … I’m at the Valley if you’d like a walking partner.”

Locals shared excitement about the idea of Mr Broadbent meeting their pets. One wrote, “hey Howard, I would love for you to meet my Luna. Always looking for wonderful humans who can hang with Luna while I’m at work.”

Another added, “I have an extremely friendly well-behaved staffy x kelpie who loves attention and cuddles and hates being alone.”

The gorgeous Luna was one of the furbabies open to company, with their owner “always looking for wonderful humans who can hang with Luna while I’m at work”. Source: Facebook

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The community spirit and support It has been overwhelming for Mr Broadbent.

“You are right. I was overwhelmed and never expected anything like the responses to my post. Not only from people who have dogs and were interested in that kind of help, but many people just leaving really nice comments as well. The number of people who acknowledged the post with a like (and still are) really blew me away!”

He has lined up a meet with Wally, a 4-year-old blue cattle dog, after being contacted by their owner. Wally can be wary of new people at first, but Howard was confident:

“Cattle dogs are what I’ve had in my life, both blue and red. I reckon Wally and I would be a perfect match,” he told the community group.

One of the responses referred to Wally whose owner said “can be a bit reactive with new people but I will definitely be looking for someone to walk/sit him a bit next year.” Source: Facebook

For others looking for canine interaction, several commenters suggested ways to get involved professionally, pointing to services like Mad Paws and Pawshake.

A fellow dogsitter said he would find it worthwhile. “Lovely idea! I became a Great Dane sitter for a while as I can’t have a dog either. I loved them all like my own. Hope you find an amazing buddy soon who helps to top up both your heart and wallet.”

Others commended him for the bold step: “You’d be a great pet sitter, Howard,” said one, with another declaring, “there’ll be a few very lucky dogs soon” given the community response to his plea.

In Queensland, if you have a cat or dog, you are legally obliged to meet all conditions under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 (AMCDA).

LAWS FOR PET OWNERS:

Responsibilities include,

– providing appropriate food, shelter and care

– registering your dog and cat in some council areas

– microchipping your cat or dog

– desexing to avoid unwanted litters

– safeguarding the welfare of breeding dogs and their puppies

– applying for permits (if needed)

– declaring existing ownership of prohibited dog breeds and surrendering them to council.

Considerations before buying a pet include,

– suitable accommodation

– time to care for it

– if you can afford a pet now and, in the future

– if it can fit it into your lifestyle.

(Source: Qld Government)

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The way we are living is dramatically changing.

PropTrack has released data on the terms entered in realestate.com.au searches for SA homes, and they indicate a fundamental shift in how we look to live, and how we seek property.

According to the data, the term to have had the greatest increase over the past 12 months was “tenanted” – up 106 per cent.

Searches for “brand new” are up 97 per cent, while “accessible car park” was up 78 per cent and “yard” was up 76 per cent.

Reflecting a change towards multi-generational living, and a forward-thinking approach towards housing that supports owners into older age, the next search terms to have had the greatest uptick were “wide doorways” (possibly to accommodate mobility aids like wheelchairs) at 74 per cent, “elevator” at 72 per cent, “dual living” at 71 per cent, “step-free entry” at 70 per cent, “single-storey” at 59 per cent and “two-storey” at 54 per cent.

Wide doorways for wheelchair users are on buyers’ wish lists.

Harris Real Estate sales agent Tom Hector said buyer attitudes had changed profoundly in recent years.

“More than ever before, people love flat land – anything flat that people can add onto is where there are lots and lots and lots of buyers,” he said.

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“With health issues and so many people having bung knees, stairs are becoming a problem and people are struggling with sloping blocks.”

He said people were, more than ever, looking at properties as their forever homes, rather than a home for the next five, 10 or 15 years.

Lifts are more in demand than ever. Picture: iStock

“The biggest killer at the moment people are considering is stamp duty – the buying and selling costs are becoming so expensive.

“People are realising it’s so difficult to buy a home right now that they’re choosing to renovate or make decisions for the future, because it’s all relative, if your house is worth a lot then the next house is going to be worth a lot too.

“Finding good stock is becoming more and more problematic.

“The market for floorplans in 2025, I’ve found, if it has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living areas and a double garage on a flat piece of dirt – I’ve never seen so many buyers in my 15 years of real estate wanting to buy.

“Everyone’s about practicality, because the older-style homes have got floorplans all over the place, but the more modern ones are more popular.”

Multi-generational living is on the rise.

Independent auctioneer Brett Roenfeldt said multi-generational living, and multi-family living had risen sharply, initially driven by multiculturalism, but more recently out of necessity.

“There are families now where their kids are all grown up but perhaps the kids are not in rental accommodation or they want to provide some sort of space for them if and when they return,” he said.

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“And of course, we have an ageing population and I think there are more and more looking for flexibility from a floorplan point of view to accommodate extended families, aged parents and all that sort of thing.

“There are some really strong ethnic cohorts that look to buy homes for their extended families to accommodate them all in the one home, and there are a lot of these communities that are buying properties together – they’re pooling their money together – and they’re buying properties that are ultimately going to be redeveloped down the track, and there’s a lot of that going on.”

What SA buyers are looking for is changing.

He said in some instances, for people who stay at home, rather than go into care, their homeowners could be entitled to some support.

“If a person qualifies for it, there’s the potential there to for people can get care packages and all of those sorts of things that you can access rather than them going into a nursing home or a retirement village,” he said.

The post What SA property searches reveal about changing lifestyles appeared first on realestate.com.au.

CEO Erik Carlson reflected on the franchisor’s growth in 2025 and offered predictions about 2026, which is primed to offer better affordability and sales.

Echo Fine Properties took a homebuyer to arbitration this year, after learning the buyer purchased a property with another firm’s agent in violation of their buyer broker agreement, and was awarded $24,000.

Property renovator Chris Bye has listed his latest home flip in The Central Coast and could stand to pocket close to $1.2m for a few months’ work.

Mr Bye purchased the home on Tungarra Pde in MacMasters Beach for $1.55m in March 2025, with property records showing development applications for renovating were made in May.

Records show the renovations cost $185,201, making Mr Bye’s total spend on the MacMasters Beach home just over $1.735m.

The property is now listed with a guide of $3m, just two weeks after he finished working on the home, a sale price which would net Mr Bye over $1.26m in a matter of months.

After renovation at 12 Tungarra Pde, MacMasters Beach.

The home’s facade before renovating.

The home was originally a three-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage which now has two added bedrooms, an extra bathroom, and a completely new look thanks to Mr Bye and his building partner Rob McLoughlin’s complete revamp.

Their company, Flipping Homes Australia, has gained over 100,000 followers on Instagram since he began sharing his property flipping journey online.

Originally a carpenter by trade, Mr Bye has been renovating and restoring old homes for much of his career across the UK, the Netherlands and Australia.

About 12 years ago he started investing more time and money into the process of property development.

He’s now flipped five homes in Australia, with 12 Tungarra Pde being his latest.

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The home’s new kitchen.

The previous kitchen.

“We find properties that were built between the mid-1970s and up to about 1990; they will have a certain layout which lends itself to us being able to add bedrooms and add bathrooms,” he said.

“Those houses tend to have the old-fashioned formal dining room; nowadays we love the open plan, skylights, big open spaces, open-plan kitchens and living.

“When we have the old-fashioned formal dining room, that then lends itself to being another bedroom.”

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The whole property has been infused with a relaxed coastal style.

The project marked a fifth renovation in Australia for Chris Bye of Flipping Homes Australia. Picture: Supplied.

When it comes to property flipping, Mr Bye said the renovation itself was not the most important part.

“You make your money when you buy,” he said.

“The whole principle is that you need to buy right.

“You have to run your numbers and you cannot bend your numbers or try to get them to work if they’re not going to.”

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A lot of landscaping has been done in the front and back garden areas.

The home’s stylistic themes continue into the bathrooms.

In terms of location, Mr Bye said the MacMasters Beach home followed a key principle he used to approach his renovations.

“The principle is that anywhere within an hour-and-a-half from a major city that is coastal is always going to be a good buy,” he said.

“So this property is 150m from the beach, an hour and a half from Sydney CBD; it’s in a highly desirable area and we’ve bought it at the right price.”

Mr Bye said he wanted to sell the home as quickly as possible, as he has a principle of “flip, flip, hold” when it comes to building a property portfolio.

This means he must flip two homes before holding on to one.

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12 Tungarra Pde, MacMasters Beach.

Mr Bye said location was always an important factor in choosing a home to flip.

Mr Bye said in the flip stage, he aims to renovate and sell quickly in order to minimise the amount of interest he accumulates on the property.

“We get in, get the renovation done as quickly as possible and then we get it back on the market,” he said.

In the case of Tungarra Pde, Ray White Bensville | Empire Bay director Matthew Kidd said the vendor had unlocked extraordinary value, while preserving the charm of the original beachside cottage.

The property’s listing comes as The Central Coast area continues to attract big offers and ambitious sales.

A luxury beachfront home in Wamberal was listed with a price guide of $25m in October, while just last week a Gosford penthouse broke the local record for an apartment sale.

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