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We recently featured Part One of Choosing the right-sized barbecue.

This week, we elaborate on the types and features of barbecues at your command.

Balcony barbecuing – don’t get gassed

Compared to an open backyard, barbecuing accidents have greater implications in an apartment block.

Before buying a whiz-bang new gas barbecue for your balcony, check the by-laws for your complex and/or the owners’ corporation (previously called the body corporate) to see if there are any restrictions on using a gas barbecue on your balcony.

It could be obscurely listed in the storing of hazardous material, i.e. an LPG gas cylinder. 

Similarly, if you’re leasing, you need to check for these restrictions in your contract.  And if you are permitted to have a gas barbecue on your balcony, never store more than one gas cylinder and never place these indoors.  

For safety reasons, gas barbecues must always be used in well-ventilated spaces. 

Barbecuing in an enclosed balcony is not advisable – even those with louvres, café blinds, or a significant amount of privacy screening could be a risky venture.

If this is your scenario, consider an electric barbecue. Two electric options include the Breville Smart Grill BGR840 and the Sunbeam Kettle King HG6600B.

Other things to consider:

Getting the grill/hotplate mix right

Most cooks would suggest you look for a half-grill and half-hotplate cooking surface, although a larger barbecue provides more flexibility. This allows you to use more of the surface you need and leave part of the barbecue unused.

Cast-iron hotplates are more susceptible to rust; if you live in a coastal area, enamel or stainless-steel hotplates are recommended.

Finishes

Exterior finishes include painted surfaces, vitreous enamel and stainless steel. Paint is the cheapest finish and can scratch or flake off over time.

Vitreous enamel is tougher and more durable. Stainless steel is also very durable, but can discolour when heated, and shows smudges and fingerprints more readily than other surfaces.

Hood

A good hood will open enough so it doesn’t blow smoke in your face, with reasonable resistance against accidental closing from gusts of wind, etc. Double-skin hoods will reduce the external temperature. Make sure it’s easy to access all the cooking areas as some hoods can restrict access with the warming plates.

Controls

Look for clearly labelled controls with positive stops at both the high and low positions. Check to see that they are easy to grip and turn. Knobs that slant out from the fascia are easier to see, ensuring you don’t have to bend over.

Ignition

Ignition types are usually ‘piezo’ or electronic. Piezo is where you press a button or one of the gas knobs and it generates a spark to ignite the gas. Some piezo systems direct a jet of flame into the burners to light them more reliably. Electronic ignition uses a battery to create a spark.

Sensible design

Large side trays are useful for placing food and utensils on, but be careful not to place plastic items too close to the barbecue, as they may melt. Handles should have enough space so that you don’t burn your hands on the hot panel behind them.

The fat tray should be easy to remove and replace. It should also be self-centring so that it catches all the fat.

Side/wok burner

Often included in larger barbecues, this additional burner is very handy for stir-fries; look for a model with a double or triple ring burner, which delivers a higher heat setting, making it more versatile and a better performer. A cover over the side burner is also handy for extra useable space. Look for a recessed burner so it’s protected on windy days.

Rotisserie

Most of the large barbecue models can accommodate a rotisserie and some also have a back burner element, which is perfect for roasting a chook. An electric rotisserie turner can be a handy feature as it allows you to deal with another cooking task while turning the meat at a consistent rate.

The trolley

There are many different trolleys available so look out for the features that will suit your specific needs, such as cupboards or a side burner.

If you need to move the trolley, even only occasionally, it will be a lot easier if it has four castors. If the trolley only has two wheels, check that it is not too heavy to lift the other end for moving and that there are no sharp edges where you grip it.

Stainless steel trolleys require extra attention when cleaning due to smudges and fingerprints. Some may also rust in certain environments.

Charcoal barbecue options

Some people swear by the distinctive smoky taste you can only get with charcoal or wood-burning barbecue. If you’re looking for a charcoal/kettle barbecue, most models will do the job, as it’s essentially a container for the coals with a lid.

But you want to make sure it has accessible vents that open and close easily to control the temperature. You might also want a versatile cooking surface that includes a flat hotplate option as well as a grill.

The lid should have a handle that will stay cool to the touch when the barbecue’s lit — and wheels will make it easier to move around.

Some interesting options include the Everdure eChurrasco and LotusGrill, delivering a new twist on the basic charcoal barbecue, and the affordable Jamie Oliver Big Boy Charcoal BBQ. 

Rentvesting is a property ownership method whereby renters buy in an area with a high rental yield and rent the property while living elsewhere.

It’s fast becoming a tax beneficial way to overcome FOMO (fear of missing out) amid the spectre of record house prices. 

This is confirmed by Plan Your Future founder Helen Nan, who says rentvesting is about gaining access to the property market if buyers cannot initially afford to purchase their dream home.

Ms Nan adds that the concept helps investors build a long-term wealth creation plan earlier than expected. This is dependent on seizing the right opportunity when it presents itself.  

“The biggest advantage can be entering the property market earlier,” she says.

“If you want to arrive at your financial destination earlier, it’s better to start earlier.”

How it works

The rentvesting strategy works equally well for young people who might still be living with their parents while paying minimal rent. 

This essentially means that they can pay off the mortgage on their investment property faster.

It also means you can live in an area that suits your lifestyle even if you can’t afford to own property in that postcode.

“It allows you the freedom to live where you want, not just somewhere where you can afford to buy,” Ms Nan says.

As such, established properties with land are highly valued for their growth potential and lifestyle/tenancy appeal.

The tax gains of rentvesting

There are many tax benefits when you choose to rentvest. 

These include: the ability to claim any expenses, depreciation and interest on the loan for your investment property as a tax deduction.

Additionally, if you buy a property, live in it for six to 12 months, then rent it out, you don’t pay any capital gains tax on the growth in that investment for six years. 

Experts label this the six-year rule, which means you can continue treating your former home as your main residence for the purposes of capital gains tax even though you no longer live in it. 

Analysts specify that if you don’t make it your place of residence and you haven’t lived in the property, then you will have to pay capital gains tax from day one of that investment property that you’re using for your rentvesting strategy.

If you decide not to live in the property before renting it and you sell it after owning it for at least a year, half of the growth in value of that property will be counted as a capital gain.

For example, if you make $300,000 on the sale of an investment property, then $150,000 would be added to your taxable income and taxed at your marginal tax rate.

Of course, it’s important to consult your financial advisor or lender to ensure that the rent you receive, minus expenses, equals or exceeds the amount of rent you pay. 

Studies by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute found financial circumstances are an overriding factor in the formation of multi-generational households – and are even more dominant than cultural reasons. 

The benefits of a multi-generational household are obvious: companionship, ease in providing care, upholding cultural traditions, practicality and convenience, and inter-generational solidarity. As were the downsides: noise, financial constraints, inadequate space for privacy, and the impact on relationships with other family members.

Calls for tax breaks

At a time when one would normally expect baby boomers to be downsizing at this stage of their lives, many are trading up – for the sake of family. Calls have even been made to give tax breaks to families where there are three generations living under one roof.

In the UK, for example, the number of homes where two or more generations live under the same roof has soared by more than half in a decade. The Office for National Statistics reports around 419,000 British households live this way – with an increasing number of elderly parents sharing a home with their children and grandchildren.

A lighter side to the trend

The changing demographic of households has spawned nicknames such as the Sandwich Generation, Boomerang Kids and the SKI Generation (Spending the Kids’ Inheritance).

Younger members of the baby boomers are sometimes referred to as “the Sandwich Generation” because they have children still living at home in addition to elderly parents. 

Second, Australia and New Zealand have had a wave of so-called “boomerang kids” moving back in with their parents because of the rising cost of living and out-of-reach property prices.

In the bigger picture, social researcher Mark McCrindle said 2020 loomed as a landmark year in Australia. 

“In 2020, the median age was almost 40 … in 1980, it was just 29. There were more 65-year-olds than one-year-olds. There were as many people aged 60-70 as those aged 10-20. By 2020, the population pyramid was inverted. There were more people aged 50 (338,081) than any other age, reflecting the baby boom and migration boom of those born in 1970-71. In 2020, life expectancy at birth exceeded 84 years, and more than one in five people was aged over 60.” 

These predictions have proved salient. By then, many baby boomers have retired and Generation Y dominate the workforce (42 per cent). The average job tenure will be three years and more than one in three workers is employed on a casual basis.  

When it comes time to buy a new barbecue, every weekend-entertaining warrior dreams of a monstrous meat-beast: 14 burners, a grill big enough to cook a water buffalo and a shed worth of stainless steel.

However, when reality ultimately takes hold, you have three important factors to consider when choosing your next barbecue:

• How much money do I want to spend?
• How big is my entertaining area?
• How many people will I be barbecuing for (most of the time)?

A moveable feast

A portable barbecue could be ideal for an impromptu get-together on the veranda or a weekend camping getaway, and while many of these use charcoal or other solid fuel, a range of gas options are becoming available.

Compact barbecues, such as the Weber Q and Ziegler & Brown range, are becoming increasingly popular and offer all the features of the larger style four-burners, such as a hood, char-grill plate, solid hotplate and accommodate cooking for around four to six people at once.

Many models also have side tables that fold up to save space when not in use. 

Small barbecues often come in one or two boxes and are mostly pre-assembled. Usually, all that’s required is a simple unpacking of the barbecue and placing it on the trolley.

A smaller barbie means you may have to cook in batches when you have guests over.

When you need to satisfy a horde of hungry family members or friends, a large barbecue is hard to beat. 

But the backyard real estate it’ll take up, the price and the cleaning effort involved are things to keep in mind.

Large barbecues may also require significant construction and have many heavy parts. Some retailers provide delivery of the barbecue fully assembled for a fee; if that cost is anywhere under $100, it would be wise to take up the offer and enjoy your weekend cooking on the new barbecue, rather than building it.

Cost

Small barbecues range from just under $200 to around $800. For the higher prices, you should expect to get extra features such as electronic gas ignition, fold-out side tables and more solid construction.

Large barbecues, with three or more burners, come in a range of prices from under $300 to more than $2,000. Testing has found the cooking performance for some of the cheaper models can be surprisingly good, even when compared to the expensive models. 

But there’s a range of different features that can account for a hefty price tag, and you may find the bargain barbecue won’t last as long as a pricier model.

Next instalment: in Part Two of ‘Choosing the Right-sized Barbecue’, we go into greater detail about the types and features of barbecues on offer.

Creating liveable homes for all ages and personal mobility issues is a forward-thinking and value-adding objective.

Towards this aim, the Liveable Homes initiative was developed to increase the number of private and public homes in Western Australia that are built with universal access. But the tenets apply to homes in all regions.

Liveable Homes are easy to move around in and easy to use. They are open plans and designed to maximise space in key areas of the home.

Incorporating environmental performance and long-term design life, sustainable housing design should also factor in useability and social inclusiveness. 

On the surface, homes utilising universal access look and feel more spacious. But their versatility adds value for people of all ages. 

Universal access design principles make homes accessible for people with mobility challenges. These assist seniors, families with young children, pregnant women or those with an injury or disability.

Social-inclusivity design factors

After 20 years of renovating other people’s houses and sharing his design ideas on ABC-TV’s Gardening Australia, environmental scientist Josh Byrne designed a 10-star NatHERS energy-efficient property in 2012.

(NatHERS, which is short for Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, is based on a scale of 0-10 — with 10 being the highest rating. Six stars is the minimum energy efficiency standard required under the Building Code of Australia. In New Zealand, a comparative energy efficiency standard is labelled H1.)

The result, which took just seven months to fully complete, was ‘Josh’s House’ in Grigg Place, Hilton, Western Australia. In association with Liveable Homes and based on universal access design, the prototype residence also featured a range of socially inclusive design factors. These include wide doors and hallway (for pram, walking frame or wheelchair clearance), flush thresholds and a host of other accessibility features.

Eliminating the need for major modifications should someone with a permanent disability need to live there, the universal access design features start from the flat walkways to a flush entry. In addition to wide doorways and halls, they feature toilets with clear access and reinforced walls in the bathroom and toilet for the safe installation of grab rails.

They also extend to hobless (open) showers to eliminate trip hazards, ground-level toilet with clear access, and open-plan living with generous circulation space in key areas such as the kitchen and dining room. 

To implement these socially sustainable design principles in your new home or renovation, you can access the specifications here.

To access essential and desirable criteria checklists for the creation of liveable homes, visit www.liveablehomes.net.au for further information. 

3 minute read

COVID has forced every industry to embrace new technologies, to cope with the challenges of the pandemic. Learning how to remain productive while away from the office has plenty of lessons for the property industry when it comes to moving with the times. Those who remain stuck in their ways risk being pushed aside.

For starters, technology like Sorted Services is the key to streamlining workflows, in order to save both time and money for property professionals. For example, automation can handle about half of the tasks that occupy an agent’s time and mental energy – such as providing a seamless tenant onboarding process, complete with reference checking and leasing handovers.

Beyond this, the technology can assist agents with better-managing clients, as well as liaising between renters and owners. This includes facilitating and negotiating lease renewals, organising repairs or maintenance, and replying to client and tenant inquiries.

The idea isn’t to downplay the value of agents or put them out of a job, in fact it’s the very opposite.

Automation frees agents from mundane repetitive tasks, so they can put that time and effort into more important things – just like Excel freed accountants from adding up columns of numbers, so they could evolve into trusted business advisors.

For agents, automation lets them spend more time on those important tasks which require the human touch, like building the business, strengthening relationships and delivering excellent customer service. 

It works both ways, as today’s customers have rapidly changing needs and increased demands. They expect seamless digital interaction with service providers, it’s not negotiable.

Digitising and automating cumbersome manual paperwork and processes is a real-gamer changer in the property industry – increasing productivity, reducing operational costs and enhancing the overall customer experience. Yet, this kind of efficiency boost is still only the low-hanging fruit when it comes to the full potential of property technology.

Looking to the future, agents need to evolve to become more than just facilitators, just like accountants became more than human calculators. A great agent needs to convey knowledge and expertise. In order words, they need to bring value to the table and make themselves an invaluable part of the process.

The property industry has access to a wealth of data. It can seem overwhelming but, with the right tools, all that data can be turned into actionable insight. Advanced analytics strategies let agents get on the front foot, crunching the numbers to help them find the precious needle in a haystack of information.  

For example, the technology can optimise a range of processes such as tenant attraction and churn, commercial lease negotiations and asset valuation. It can also improve tenant experience and operations. They’re all classic examples of agents learning how to work smarter through technology, rather than simply working harder.

Beyond advanced number crunching, new technology brings the next generation of augmented and virtual reality, to assist agents with providing personalised service. It further blurs the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds when it comes to engaging with clients on their own terms, anywhere, anytime.

Meanwhile, when it comes to dealing with the physical world, smart building solutions can streamline property management to unlock efficiencies and create new opportunities.

COVID might have jolted the industry from its technological slumber, but it’s only the beginning when it comes to revitalising Australia’s property industry and embracing the future.

The post Technology is the key to kickstarting a long-overdue revitalisation of Australia’s property industry appeared first on PropTechNOW.

Constructing homes with passive design principles is an increasing priority for owners and builders.

People are comfortable only within a very narrow range of conditions.

The human body’s temperature is about 37°C and is affected by a range of physiological and psychological factors, such as temperature, humidity, air movement (breeze or draught), exposure to radiant heat sources and cool surfaces. 

Psychological thermal discomfort can make us set the thermostat on heating or cooling systems well beyond the levels required for comfort. 

For every 1°C change in thermostat setting, it is estimated that our heating or cooling bill rises about 10 per cent. In other words, failure to address psychological comfort can increase heating and cooling energy use by 50 per cent.

Australia and New Zealand are blessed with a varied climate that can be divided into eight zones. These range from hot humid summer and warm winter to year-round cool temperatures.  

Key design objectives

Minimising heating and cooling energy use should be a primary design objective.

What to consider

Individual site analysis and location within the region will determine if heating or cooling is the predominant need.

Reducing heat gain through the appropriate use of windows and glazing (size, location and type) is a critical design consideration.

Cooling comfort is simply achieved with adequate cross-ventilation and minimising solar and ambient heat gains with shading and insulation.

Passive solar heating is essential and simply achieved where solar access is available.

Sites with solar access require north-facing living areas with the majority of glazing.

Where solar access is unavailable, lightweight solutions that respond quickly and efficiently to minimal, carbon-efficient auxiliary heating are a viable alternative.

Roof spaces create a thermal buffer zone for summer heat gain (ventilated) and winter heat loss (sealed). Use thermostat-controlled fans or closable ventilators.

Windows and shading

Avoid overuse of glazing. Carefully size and orientate windows, as this will often yield ideal results with less-expensive glazing options.

Consider double glazing in regions with higher heating needs. Or reduce expenditure on glazing and divert the savings to efficient appliances and on-site renewable energy generation, generating effective carbon reductions.

Use passive solar shading on northerly windows. Alternately, minimise and shade all east and west-facing glass in summer. 

Consider adjustable shading to allow variable solar access in spring and autumn.

Insulation

Use bulk and reflective insulation in ceilings, and bulk or reflective insulation in walls. You should insulate all thermal mass externally.

If using in-slab heating, insulate under concrete slabs and elevated floors (which are concrete and lightweight).

Seal thoroughly against draughts and use entry airlocks.

Heating and cooling

No auxiliary heating or cooling should be required. In addition, ceiling fans should be included in all living and sleeping spaces.

Earth-coupled slabs maintain comfortable summer temperatures that can easily be raised by passive solar heating in winter.

Construction systems

Earth-coupled slabs are highly beneficial for passive design construction. High thermal mass walls can be used if within glass-to-mass ratios.

You should choose low embodied energy walls, roofing and finishes. 

Most well-designed construction systems can achieve 10-star performance.

Choose light-coloured roof materials to lower air temperatures in the roof space.

You should also calculate thermal lag in high thermal mass walls, such as rammed earth or mud brick, to determine appropriate insulation levels.

For further climatic and passive-construction information, visit yourhome.gov.au and smarterhomes.org.nz.

Noisy neighbours can make every day seem like you’re living in the middle of a war zone.

But there are simple ways in which harmony can be restored without the need to resort to desperate measures.   

It’s an unfortunate fact that modern apartments are built with lighter, less-dense materials, but it’s also true of freestanding residences on smaller allotments. 

But there is a solution to the problem, no matter how big or small it may appear. 

As a starting point, it’s best to be proactive rather than allow any issue to fester.

Simple steps to turn down the volume 

If an unpleasant incident occurs, such as loud music in the early hours, consider it a one-off. But if it is repeated, it’s time to act without the need for losing your temper.

If you’re residing in an apartment complex, ask the building manager or body corporate secretary for a copy of its complaint notice.

If it doesn’t have one, write a polite note (and give a copy to the body corporate) that can be placed under the noisy neighbour’s door or in their mailbox. It should highlight the issue (noise, smells, parking, smoking, littering or other disruptive behaviour) and provide details, such as dates and times of the indiscretions. Then sign it anonymously, such as ‘Your Neighbour’.

This will do the trick in most cases, but it’s time to up the ante if the note is ignored. 

After all, constant interruptions interfering with the daily enjoyment of your home can be equated with strata law being breached in most states and territories.

The body corporate should provide the rogue neighbour, and offer a complaint resolution process and even a notice to comply, depending on the by-law being broken.  

As a last resort, taking the expensive and time-consuming course of legal action is rarely recommended, but it may be the only route to stop the bad behaviour.

Hopefully, it won’t come to that, but finding an amicable solution will be music to the ears of all. 

Creating a sound barrier

You can also play your part in limiting noise by soundproofing your home. 

Start with a solid-core door at the entry and consider replacing doors close to living areas and neighbouring walls, where sound can create the biggest issues.

Doors guards at the base of your doors can also stop draughts and unwelcome sounds from disturbing your haven.

Similarly, seal gaps around windows to stop heat and cold from entering your domain. Better still, double glazing can block up to 95 per cent of sound and will soon pay its way in reduced utility bills and greater levels of comfort. 

Insulation in internal walls, floors and ceilings can reduce noise while using heavy drapes and thick rugs over polished boards can minimise disruptions.

Positioning wardrobes, a well-filled bookshelf or wall furnishings in specific noise hot spots can also negate any unwanted racket.

Complement this tactic by using sound-absorbing materials, such as cotton, foam or felt in tapestries, rugs, pictures or artworks on the wall.

Pest infestation is never pleasant, but if you detect evidence of unwanted visitors in your home, there are methods to remove them quickly and efficiently.

Maintaining cleanliness inside and blocking pest entry from the outside is a good start. 

Pest removal specialists advise that regular maintenance can be your first and lasting safeguard against rodents, termites, wasps and other creepy crawlies. 

Declutter for detection

This includes clearing clutter and storing items in plastic or metal containers (rather than cardboard), and disposing of rubbish properly.   

The common element for pest hiding spots is that they are a place of warmth, close to a food source, and are also out of sight. 

Consider the garage, attic, at the back of a pantry or behind cupboards, under furniture or white goods and under sinks. 

Pest removal specialists will tell you that the thing to remember about pests is that most don’t discriminate when it comes to picking a home for invasion. The vast majority of pests are just as common in clean houses as they are in dirty ones and the only difference is that neat and tidy properties are easier to treat and protect.

Ants usually come into your home looking for food or water, particularly if they have nested in or near your property. 

Attracted by almost any foodstuff in your home, they usually enter through a tiny crack and, if successful in their search, leave a pheromone trail for their colony colleagues to follow.

Controlling an ant infestation can be difficult, but preventative measures can include immediately cleaning spills, sealing cracks, cleaning gutters, and storing your food in vacuum-tight containers.

Spiders can largely be harmless or extremely problematic, depending on the species. 

To err on the side of caution, vacuum any webs you find in and around your property and shake out any towels or clothes that may have been hung outside.

Forward-thinking approach

Prevention is always better than cure, so taking a proactive approach is better than stumbling unexpectedly on a nasty surprise.

If you don’t, the issues can vary.

For example, Rentokil says one in four homes will have termites in their lifetime. The CSIRO says it could be as high as one in three. 

On average, termites (commonly known as white ants) cause thousands of dollars in damage. This is worse still if the damage is not covered by home insurance policies.

If you suspect you have unwanted visitors in your home, determine what is the problem by making a positive identification through tell-tale signs such as droppings in the kitchen or unpleasant odours, such as rotten fruit or a musty, oily smell.  

Then arrange for a reputable pest control firm to inspect the problem and devise the best plan of attack. 

The problem with bugs and rodents is that they breed at an alarming rate, so even a small number can very quickly turn into something much bigger. 

Fumigation should be a last resort, employed only if pest invasion persists despite personal measures to thwart or deter its occurrence. 

Preventative measures

• Ensure that all food is firmly sealed. 
• Use soapy water to clean any spills on benchtops and floors.  
• Clear all mess from floors, including any furniture. The fewer the hiding places, the better. 
• Monitor your pets’ cleanliness regularly to avoid the spread.