| Swing to the centre as commuting woes
increase |
Fuel prices have come down from their mid-year highs but most people
believe that generally higher transport costs are here to stay,
and this is prompting many homeowners in the new estates and security
complexes on the outskirts of the big metros to look again at older
properties closer to city centres.
They are weighing up the costs of commuting against the generally
higher property prices in central areas, and calculating that they
will be able to afford higher home loan repayments out of what they
save on commuting.
And there is more than the fuel price in the reckoning here. There
is also the frustration of spending hours in the traffic each day
and the huge amount of time that is being lost to work and family,
as well as the additional wear and tear on vehicles.
This shift is, of course, good news for those who currently have
homes to sell in core suburbs, as the increased demand in these
areas will underpin prices.
It is not such good news for those who want to sell in an outlying
area and move to a more central location, as they are likely to
face more competition for potential buyers.
What is more, the higher prices in core suburbs often mean that
buyers looking for affordable accommodation in these areas are limited
to homes that require renovation or repair.
However, longer term, buying a home in a central suburb and renovating
it over time is likely to be a good investment, as property prices
in such areas generally keep rising steadily - if not spectacularly
- in all market conditions. And real estate professionals can advise
on which areas are likely to perform best.
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As the year rolls on to the December holiday season, many people's
thoughts are turning to the possibility of buying land at the sea
- especially with prices in many coastal areas having taken a tumble
in the past few months.
With a finite amount of coastal land available to build on, they
tell themselves, values can only go up, and buying a stand now will
ensure them of a spot in which to build that seaside retirement
cottage in later years.
However, just like any other investment, the purchase of a costal
stand requires due diligence and a commonsense, step-by-step approach
to finding out if this is a good move.
For a start, you should not buy site-unseen, even in an estate
that has already been proclaimed, pegged out and walled off. You
should visit the stand and look it over closely to establish what's
on it - and what's on the neighbouring land.
You should also do some homework on the area to find out if it's
growing economically, who the main local employers are, what amenities
and what plans there are for new roads, schools and shopping centres.
Even if you're buying a stand for your own later use, you should
still try to make sure it will appreciate in value.
A reputable local estate agent can help you with this, and while
you're in the area don't just look at one stand or one waterfront
development - ask the agent to show you everything that is suitable
and in your price range so you can ensure you are getting the best
value possible for your money.
Something else you should consider is broadening your search and
buying a piece of land that already has a house or a cottage on
it that you can rent out. Instead of just waiting to build, you
may be able to get something now that can actually create a cash
flow.
And finally, you must consider high water levels and flood lines
when buying costal property, and be sure the land will not be under
water when there is a hundred-year storm or a spring tide.
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| Summer tips for safe mowing |
Summer's here, and with it the smell of freshly
cut lawn on a Saturday afternoon - but the relaxed atmosphere makes
it easy to forget how dangerous lawnmowers can be, especially if
you're tempted to have a couple of cold beers while you mow.
Mowers can and do throw up stones and other hard
objects that can cut shins and damage eyes, and whirring blades
can easily slice fingers and toes if you don't bring them to a standstill
before emptying the grassbox. And with electric models, there's
always the danger of cutting the cable and getting a severe shock.
So unless you are going to opt for an energy-saving
(and body-building) push mower, it is worth bearing the following
safety tips in mind:
* Dress properly. Wear sturdy shoes and long pants.
Don't wear flip-flops, shorts or baggy clothes that could get caught
in the blade. Protect your eyes with safety glasses or goggles.
* Guard your ears. A petrol mower can exceed 85
decibels, enough to cause permanent hearing loss over time. Earmuff-style
headphones or tight-fitting earplugs significantly reduce the danger.
* Clear the area. Go over the lawn and pick up
all toys, sticks, stones, dishes, dog bones and anything else that
could be shredded or flung by the blade. Then clear the lawn of
children, so they won't run in the mower's path and you won't be
distracted from focusing on safe mowing by their noise or activity.
Make sure you know the positions of hidden obstacles, such as sprinkler
heads and stumps.
* Know your machine. Read the instruction manual
and follow it. Also don't disable any safety devices such as blade
guards, even if they annoy you; each safeguard was invented because
someone got hurt. And never attempt to free a jammed blade without
first removing the spark plug on a petrol mower or unplugging an
electric mower.
* Ride alone. Don't carry children (or anyone else)
on a ride-on mower. The mower can tip or children can fall off.
And if you teach children to think of the machine as fun, they may
be tempted to try to ride it themselves when you are not around.
Be super-careful when reversing to ensure that there is no-one behind
you.
* Don't let kids mow. Mowers are hazardous items
of equipment, not toys. Children under 12 should not operate a walk-behind
mower and no-one under 16 should use a ride-on mower.
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| Keep your cool with ceiling fans |
Staying cool in summer is no easy task, and air
conditioners can chew costly electricity. So it's ceiling fans to
the rescue - they produce a "windchill" effect that makes
you feel cooler regardless of the temperature and they're efficient,
consuming less energy on average than a 100W light bulb.
To get the full benefits, however, you have to
install the right size fans in the right position. Sizes generally
run from about one metre across to two metres and optimal air circulation
occurs in square areas. A 1,5m fan will suit a three metre by three
metre room and if you're cooling a large, rectangular room, you
should use two fans, evenly spaced.
You also need to consider ceiling height. Most
manufacturers recommend a three metre fan-to-floor distance if possible.
To accommodate taller ceilings, you'll need an extension, or down
rod. In rooms with lower ceilings, fans should be flush-mounted
without a down rod.
Other factors to consider include the number of
fan blades and the materials they are made from. To work properly
fans should not have less than three or more than six blades, but
balance is more important than the number - uneven blades can cause
fans to wobble. This makes it essential to select fans with rust-free
finishes and blades that won't warp - especially in damp coastal
climates.
If you're replacing an overhead light with a fan,
you'll probably want a fan/light combination - and that raises the
question of what sort of controls you should look for. Some companies
have moved away from the pull chain entirely, while others include
it but also give an option for a wall-mounted power and speed control.
Some new models even have handheld remotes.
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