This home at Menai in New South Wales has five bedrooms and is advertised as having potential for a granny flat on the lower level. Picture: realestate.com.au

And PRDnationwide national research manager Dr Diaswati Mardiasmo revealed owners in Brisbane are likely to benefit more than any other capital city.

She said her preliminary research suggested that the rise of Airbnb in Australia had pushed up the median house price of properties with certain characteristics.

“Brisbane properties listed as having dual living capabilities or potential, sell for 23.4 per cent more on average than houses with similar characteristics in the same area,’’ she said.

“The same is true for Sydney and Melbourne with average price increases of 21.2 per cent and 9 per cent respectively.’’

Dr Asti Mardiasmo said buyers shouldn’t rely on extra income from their home, but it could be a nice bonus.Source:Supplied

Dr Mardiasmo said the average Australian Airbnb host now earned $7100 a year from the site.

“As Airbnb becomes more popular there is a growing trend of people factoring a properties dual living capabilities in their decision to buy,’’ she said.

She said dual living capabilities were attractive to buyers.

Frank Mazzotta of PRDnationwide Bexley North said he had seen strong interest in dual purpose properties.

“The ability to earn a bit of extra income really attracts some people,” he said.

Dr Mardiasmo said while the income generated from Airbnb could help relieve the financial pressure of owning your own home, it wasn’t something that people should totally rely on.

“There is a danger that individuals will rely on earning the average of $7100 as an Airbnb host, but for whatever reason fall significantly below that average,’’ she said.

“They could then find themselves in a situation where they can’t afford their repayments or the cost of maintaining their home.”

She said owners also needed to make themselves aware of any tax or property zoning implications.

A Lota home with potential to be raised for dual living is under contract. Picture: realestate.com.auSource:Supplied

“You hear about people getting fined for renting out rooms on Airbnb, due to zoning restrictions,’’ she said.

“However these regulations are inconsistent between councils and states, and can make it hard for people to determine whether what they are doing is okay or not.”

“The main thing people need to remember when considering hosting on Airbnb is that it is an irregular, unstable form of income.”

Dr Mardiasmo said while buyers shouldn’t be factoring in such income when purchasing a property any they did make could help ease cost of living pressures.

“It is a great opportunity for people who already own the house and it becomes an added bonus into their income stream rather than relying on it to buy a house,’’ she said.