Victorian Premier John Brumby has urged property owners in bushfire-ravaged areas not to sell out to investment 'vultures'.
"Overwhelmingly, we've seen the very best of human behaviour over the last couple of weeks but there are a few sharks out there," Mr Brumby said.
"There are a few vultures who have been trying to get in and snap up cheap property while people are vulnerable.
"I'm not going to stand for that and I think the industry won't stand for that and my advice to families is: Don't sell your property and certainly don't do that in the next few weeks."
Mr Brumby said property values would remain strong despite the destruction and owners should spurn anyone offering rock-bottom prices.
He said fire-devastated communities would rise from the ashes, flagging further announcements about the demolition and clean-up process in the next couple of days.
"I think in these areas you're going to see rebuilding and you're going to see a maintenance of strong asset values, so my advice to any person affected is don't sell your property at this stage and certainly don't respond to people who offer you rock bottom prices," he said.
AAP
