Protect your family and home from bush fires this summer

For Australians in many locations across the country, the summer months present the risk of bush fires and thus the threat of injury and damage to property.  For residents of such areas, it is very important to prepare for bushfires and to take action to reduce the associated risks.

One of the best ways to plan for the occurrence of a bush fire and to ensure the safety of you and your family is to put together a Bush Fire Survival Plan; the resources for doing so are available from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service’s website.  According to the Rural Fire Service such a plan can help stop you from making rushed and dangerous decisions at the last moment.  

The Rural Fire Service notes that the most important decision to make is whether you and your family will leave early or if you will stay and defend your well prepared home.  

As each bush fire and individual and family circumstances are different, the situation will determine whether it is safe for you to stay at your property to protect it – although leaving early is always the safest option.  However the RFS advises that regardless of whether you decide to leave early or stay and defend, you still need to prepare your property against the threat of a bush fire, as:

• A well prepared home is more likely to survive a bush fire

• A well prepared home can be easier for you and fire fighters to defend

• A well prepared home is less likely to put your neighbours’ homes at risk

• A well prepared home will give you more protection if a fire threatens suddenly and you cannot leave and have to take shelter.  

The RFS suggests a variety of measures that will help you prepare your home for a bush fire, including:

• Cut back any overhanging trees or shrubs and dispose of cuttings immediately

• Remove and store any flammable items away from the house

• Store wood piles well away from the house and keep covered

• Make sure the pressure relief valves on LPG cylinders face outwards

• Clean leaves from the roof, gutters and downpipes and fit quality metal leaf guards  

As mentioned, the NSW Rural Fire Service has a wealth of information and tips on its website that should help you to better prepare for bush fires this summer, ensuring the safety of yourself, your family and your property.  

Market conditions providing opportunities for home buyers and investors

It may be that purchasing conditions for prospective residential property buyers could be set to improve, despite the Reserve Bank of Australia electing to keep interest rates on hold this week.    

Charles Tarbey, Chairman and Owner of Century 21 Australia, said that the conditions we are seeing at present are helping to create a window of opportunity for those home buyers and investors who are in a financial position to buy and who have sought the appropriate professional advice.  

“The number of residential properties on the market across the country continues to be strong, and with numerous potential buyers refraining from making a decision for the time being, those who are ready to purchase should have a fair amount of room for negotiation,” said Charles Tarbey.    

With attractive mortgage packages available, Charles encouraged those in a position to act to explore the purchase and financing options available to them.  

If you are ready to consider the purchase of a property and would like to get an idea about the options available in your desired location, do not hesitate to drop by any of the hundreds of CENTURY 21 offices around Australia to speak with a real estate professional.  

Inflation figures support case for February rate cut

The Australian Bureau of Statistics recently released its official inflation data – the Consumer Price Index – for the December 2011 quarter.  The figures showed that the Index was unchanged over the quarter, as compared with a rise of 0.6 per cent in the September quarter 2011.   

According to the ABS, the quarter saw price increases in domestic holiday travel and accommodation, rents, telecommunication equipment and services, beer and automotive fuel.   

These increases were balanced by price falls in fruit, pharmaceutical products, vegetables, audio, visual and computing equipment, international holiday travel and accommodation and motor vehicles. 

From an annual perspective, the ABS noted that the CPI rose 3.1 per cent over the year to the December quarter, as opposed to the 3.5 per cent increase in the year to the September quarter. 

This inflation data is eagerly anticipated and reported, as it is a key consideration of the Reserve Bank of Australia when it deliberates on the official cash rate. 

Such a result whereby the CPI was unchanged helps to support the case that the Reserve Bank could move to cut interest rates for the third consecutive month at its February meeting to be held next week.

I will certainly be watching for the Reserve Bank’s decision as I’m sure will many prospective home buyers and current property owners and investors