SEPTEMBER 20, 2017 • Volume 12 • Issue 38
RE WEEKLY RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • FARM • COMMERCIAL • AREA DEVELOPMENT 515-233-3299 • 317 5th Street, Ames • All REALTOR® ads within are REALTORS® licensed in the State of Iowa
Online at www.AmesTrib.com/realestateweekly
Page RE2 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, September 20, 2017
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RE WEEKLY
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5
steps to a smart home By Brandpoint
W
hen it comes to technology, smarter is better. There are smart watches, smart televisions and just about everyone has a smartphone. So what about a smart home? Smart thermostats and lighting timers represent the first steps toward smart home technology for many homeowners, but in a lot of cases, they were the only steps. Since then, technology has continued to develop, and today there are scores of home goods that can talk to one another while allowing you total control of your home from your smartphone, tablet or another device. It all sounds so simple, so perfect, yet many consumers remain confused on how to make the most of smart home technology in their house. Instead of finding the installation welcoming, they see it as daunting and expensive. This doesn’t have to be the case. Installing — and enjoying — smart home technology in your house is easier than you think. Follow these five simple steps and your home will be a smart home in no time.
BIGSTOCK
Determine what you’d like to control remotely or automate based on time. Having total control of your home sounds great, but it also leads to total responsibility and sometimes you don’t need all that. For example, lighting solutions are a popular automated option. Some smart dimmers, such as the one by Leviton, allow you to dim and time lighting to meet your needs once you download an app, providing you increased functionality all from your smartphone or tablet.
Seek professional help. If you’re concerned about your ability to set up your smart home technology successfully, don’t be afraid to seek out some guidance. Call on your contractor to assist you in the installation. You can also download helpful guides and how-to instructions from the manufacturer’s website. The more information you have before beginning the project, the more comfortable you’ll be with the installation.
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Download the proper apps. The key to your home’s smart technology lies in the corresponding apps. Make sure you’ve downloaded the right one to match your system. Many smart home technologies offer both iPhone and Android apps to provide the functionality control you need.
4. Smart light switches like this Decora Smart line from Leviton are easy to install and empower homeowners to control lighting from devices such as smartphones or tablets via an app. [LEVITON PHOTO]
Select technology that works with your home. When you’re shopping for products — like lighting switches — you should always be mindful of functionality. For example, does your home operate on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth? Understand the base functionalities of your home and you’ll streamline your shopping process.
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Set your schedule and optimize as needed. Your smart home is an ever-evolving machine, and the more time you take to continually customize your preferences, the more you’ll get from your system. Establish your initial schedule and then add voice control through Amazon, Google or Apple. Finally, don’t be afraid to make continued improvements. You’ve already tackled the biggest hurdle of installing your system, and the ongoing small adjustments you add will make your system great.
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AMAZON
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DEAR MONTY
Checking out a well and septic system Can you help us get up to speed?
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
R
eader question: We are homebuyers who want to check out a well and septic system. We know nothing about them. We have city sewer and water now, so we have no responsibility beyond using them.
Monty’s answer: The well and septic system are two separate and unique systems.The connection between these systems is that water from the earth comes to the home via the well, and returns to the earth via the septic system. There must be a certain distance between them to avoid the possibility of contaminating the well. Care and maintenance of a private well Accessories are often optional and include water softeners for hard water and other types of filter systems
such as iron or sulfur filters. In some instances chlorination, following proper procedures, is prescribed by local well experts to eliminate certain bacteria. Test the well water regularly with the frequency depending on the environment around you. Testing annually to once every five years is a common range, but some homeowners rarely if ever test their well. Care and maintenance of a private septic system Today there are garbage disposals designed specifically for septic systems. Anecdotal evidence suggests that septic systems can function with
garbage disposals for many years. The material fed into the disposal and the leach field soil conditions likely affect the lifespan of the system. Consider establishing a compost station to create a rich mulch instead of utilizing the garbage disposal. Some municipalities require periodic pumping. Do not park cars or drive across the lawn over the leach field to avoid unnecessary soil compaction. Do not plant shrubs over the leach field. Richard Montgomery gives nononsense real estate advice to readers’ most pressing questions. Send him questions at DearMonty.com.
TIPS OF THE WEEK ORGANIZATION
FLORAL DESIGN
Declutter before kids head back to school
Long-lasting bouquets
Considering one of the hardest things about back-to-school season is creating an organized routine, the time to start is now. A smart place to start is in the room you and your kids waste the most time looking for things. Another tip is to create a drop zone. Contain clutter before it spreads too far around the house with child-sized storage furniture such as a storage locker that is perfect for backpacks, coats, sports equipment and supplies.
For gorgeous bouquets that last for days, follow these tips from Michigan’s Genesee County Master Gardeners program. • The best time to cut most flowers is just before they are fully opened. Skip the tight buds and past-peak blossoms. • Do your cutting late in the afternoon or early in �heevening, when flowers have the most food stored. • Before arranging, condition the flowers so they’re holding as much water as possible. Submerge the stems halfway in a container of warm water (100-110 degrees Fahrenheit) at least an hour.
— Family Features/ClosetMaid
MAINTENANCE Homeowner disasters that cost little to prevent Homeowners insurance brings peace of mind, but it doesn’t cover everything. The three main causes of damage you won’t find in your homeowners policy, according to Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association are: �ermites:Apply treatment to your foundation every few years, and inspect your house annually for signs of infestation. Mold: In the spring and the fall, check under the sink and in your utility areas for signs of leaking and seeping pipes. Sewer backups: Tree roots or an overwhelmed stormwater system can back up right into your home, damaging floors, walls and even the electric system.
— Brandpoint
GARDENING Organic gardening tips For an environmentally friendly gardening experience, follow these organic gardening tips from flower-gardening-made-easy.com. • Replenish your soil humus by continuously adding fresh compost. Also try to pick plants that will do well in your garden’s specific soil. • Encourage diversity in your garden. Plant several plant varieties, including trees and shrubs. More diversity encourages more animal visitors, which can remove harmful pests from your garden.
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