M
Matching market
Markets in which entities (i.e. individuals, households, agencies etc.) seek to be paired with someone or something, with the criteria for matching being highly specific and often requiring reciprocity. For example, a person trying to sell or rent a dwelling set up with existing, expensive disability mobility aids might find the mainstream housing market considers the aids to be of negative economic value, whereas a person who needs the aids would be very pleased to buy or rent such a property and may even pay a premium for the opportunity.
Medium density housing
See housing density
Metropolitan governance
Metropolitan governance refers to the processes and arrangements between state and local government and other stakeholders to plan and manage metropolitan regions. In Australia, the organisational structures to manage issues, including environment, infrastructure and planning, vary between the metropolitan regions.
Mixed-use development
A development integrating multiple purposes for a place. Mixed-use developments often include commercial and residential uses in combination with spaces for leisure and other activities.
Moderate income household
See Income quintiles
Mortgage
A secured loan used by a borrower to buy a property. Typically a mortgage loan is repaid over a number of years to repay both the capital cost (i.e. the actual money paid for the property) and the interest on the loan. The deed of ownership for the property is held by the entity that provided the loan until the loan (including all interest) is fully repaid.
Multi-family housing
See build to rent
Mum-and-dad investor
A term used to describe small-scale, non-professional investors.