YourHome
FEATURED PROPERTY
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016
T H E H E A R T L A N D ’ S L E A D I N G R E A L E S TAT E & H O M E L I V I N G M A G A Z I N E
Lake Brownwood Has it all!
Impressive 4 Bedroom Estate with fabulous double-deck boat dock. Call COLDWELL BANKER for more information!
INSIDE THIS MONTH’S EDITION: n Free Testing, 3 n Ways to Save, 5 n Heads Up, 7
YARD
SMART
Smart technology expands to mowers, watering systems See article on page 10
C H E C K O U T L I S T I N G S & I N F O R M AT I O N F R O M T H E S E G R E AT A D V E R T I S E R S : C O L D W E L L B A N K E R , M A R K C A M P B E L L & A S S O C I AT E S , M C C L U S K E Y & A S S O C I AT E S , T E X A S B A N K , T E X A S R E A LT Y, M I L L S C O U N T Y S TAT E B A N K , T E X A S G O L D S TA R R E A L E S TAT E , T O O T I E K E L LY R E A L E S TAT E , A C M E B R I C K & T I L E , B R O W N C O U N T Y S E R V I C E D I R E C T O R Y
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Heartland Your Home
Sunday, September 18, 2016
ADVERTISERS REAL ESTATE
Mark Campbell & Associates - Coldwell Banker McCluskey & Associates Texas Goldstar Real Estate Texas Realty Tootie Kelly Real Estate
LENDING INSTITUTIONS
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Mills County State Bank TexasBank
MISC SERVICES
ACME Brick & Tile Brown County Service Directory
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A publication of the
Brownwood BULLETIn Your Community u Your Story u Delivered Your Way
Serving the Heart of Texas Since 1886
For questions or to advertise please call the Brownwood Bulletin at 325-646-2541 or come by the office at 700 Carnegie, Brownwood. NOTICE All Rental and Real Estate Ads are subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, or family status or national origin.
Brown County home sales decrease by 15.6%, home prices rise in August 2016 Heartland Association of REALTORS® releases real estate statistics for August 2016 Brownwood, Texas – Sept 09, 2016– Brown County home sales decreased by 15.6 percent to 38 sales in August. The median home price increased 11% over last year, to $113,100.00, according to the August 2016 Brown County housing market report released today by the Heartland Association of REALTORS®. According to the report, 38 homes were sold in Brown County in August 2016, a 15.6 percent decrease from the year prior. The median price for Brown County homes increased 11 percent year-over-year to $131,100 during the same time frame. Brown County’s monthly housing inventory* was 9.7 months in August of 2016, a decrease of .9 months from August 2015. The Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University cites that 6.5 months of inventory represents a market in which supply and demand for homes is balanced.
Homes spent an average of 116 days on the market in Augu 2016, 8 days more than August 2015. Additionally, active listings were down to 323, a decrease of 4.7% from the same time last year. The Texas economy remains strong and with a booming population & high quality of life, Texas is a great place to live, work and do business. As such, the demand for Texas real estate remains strong and enduring. Texas REALTORS® continue to work daily to protect the rights of private-property owners, keep homeownership affordable, and promote public policies that benefit homeowners. * The inventory of homes for a market can be measured in months, which is defined as the number of active listings divided by the average sales per month of the prior 12 months.
Vann Stanford, President Heartland Association of Realtors
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Heartland Your Home
SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF BROWNWOOD
IN BRIEF
Free testing for flame retardants By Melissa Erickson More Content Now
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itting on your living room couch doesn’t seem risky, but did you know that your cushions could contain flame retardants that could be hazardous to your health? Flame retardants are chemicals that are added or applied to materials in order to slow or prevent the start or growth of fire. Scientific evidence links flame retardants to developmental delays in children, reproductive problems, cancer and other health issues, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Products that are likely to contain flame retardants include couches made after 1970, including love seats, recliners and padded chairs; children’s car seats; infant sleep wedges and pregnancy pillows; high chairs and portable crib mattresses.
Mark Campbell
Broker, Appraiser, MAI 325-642-5416
Hunter Stanford REALTOR® 817-629-9822
Royce Blackburn REALTOR® 325-642-2093
Vann Stanford REALTOR® 325-642-2088
Have concerns? A research team at Duke University will test up to five samples from your furniture or household products for free. Start the simple submission process by visiting foam. pratt.duke.edu to get a serial number. Then you’ll need to cut out a piece of foam about the size of a marble, wrap it in aluminum foil, seal it in a sandwich bag and mail it in. Styrofoam and polyester filling will not be tested. You’ll receive a brief report of the findings in about 45 days. The testing is part of an ongoing effort to understand human exposure to these chemicals and will determine if one of the seven most common flame retardants is present. The best way to reduce your exposure to these chemicals is by washing your hands frequently, particularly before eating a meal. Reducing the accumulation of The best way dust in your home to reduce your by vacuuming and exposure to these dusting regularly chemicals is by will also help, as will washing your cleaning out your air hands frequently, ducts and changing particularly before your air filters on a routine basis. eating a meal.
Terry Blagg REALTOR® 325-642-2553
Gary Twiford GRI, ABR, Broker Assoc. 325-642-1179
1100 Early Blvd. • Early, Texas 76802
Kimon Faubion REALTOR® 325-998-0227
Brad Wells REALTOR® 325-642-2489
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• Collects brush (cut in 5’ lengths), bagged leaves, grass and bulky items (no demolition debris) by requested residential (non-commercial) customers if stacked at the curb, or in the alley if trash is collected by the alley, by calling 643-4200. • Operates Brownwood Regional Landfill. 6800 FM 45 South. Hours: Monday-Saturday 8:00 AM ·4:30 PM (646-6574). Per State Law, all loads brought into the landfill must be covered with a tarp. Landfill charges as follows: Residential citizens of Brown County: $5.00 per pickup load, $7 -$24 per pickup + trailer. Tire charges $3 -$15. • Operates Brownwood Recycling Center. 6800 FM 45 South. MonSat 8 to 4:30 (641-8832). Accepted items are as follows: Oil filters, Oil, Car batteries, Latex paints, units with compressors (a/c, refrigerator, freezer, etc.), and metal. • Provides city-wide recycling on the 1st and 3rd Saturday each month from 9 AM to 1 PM at Brady and Ave A under the Austin Ave Overpass. • Health Dept. - Sprays neighborhood for mosquitos as needed (646-0554). • Operates the Code Red Emergency Notification System. Sign-up online at https://public.coderedweb.com/cne/en-US/EBDD08D4A3A7 • Operates sirens as the city’s second warning system. Siren tests are done at noon on the 1st Monday of each month. CITY OF BROWNWOOD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. 325-646-5331
Jeff Hibbs REALTOR® 325-642-3559
Sheri Wells REALTOR®, ABR, CRS 325-642-5994
Don Holland REALTOR® 325-998-2058
Sue Wells REALTOR® 325-642-8353
Nesa Morelock REALTOR® 325-642-4932
Donna Howey REALTOR® 325-998-0488
Jennifer Newton CRS, GRI, Broker Assoc. 325-642-2100
Stephen Young REALTOR® 325-647-2418
1900 Austin Avenue • Brownwood, Texas 76801
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Heartland Your Home
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Heartland Your Home
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5 Ways You Didn’t Know You Could Save for a Down Payment
One of the biggest misconceptions of home buying? The 20% down payment. Here’s how to buy with a lot less down. By: ERIK SHERMAN Buying your first home conjures up all kinds of warm and fuzzy emotions: pride, joy, contentment. But before you get to the good stuff, you’ve got to cobble together a down payment, a daunting sum if you follow the textbook advice to squirrel away 20% of a home’s cost. Here are five creative ways to build your down-payment nest egg faster than you may have ever imagined.
1. Crowdsource Your Dream Home You may have heard of people using sites like Kickstarter to fund creative projects like short films and concert tours. Well, who says you can’t crowdsource your first home? Forget the traditional registry, the fine china, and the 16-speed blender. Use sites like Feather the Nest and Hatch My House to raise your down payment. Hatch My House says it’s
helped Americans raise more than $2 million for down payments.
2. Ask the Seller to Help (Really!) When sellers want to a get a deal done quickly, they might be willing to assist buyers with the closing costs. Fewer closing costs = more money you can apply toward your deposit. “They’re called seller concessions,” says Ray Rodriguez, regional mortgage sales manager for the New York metro area at TD Bank. Talk with your real estate agent. She might help you negotiate for something like 2% of the overall sales price in concessions to help with the closing costs. There are limits on concessions depending on the type of mortgage you get. For FHA mortgages, the cap is 6% of the sale price. For Fannie Mae-guaranteed loans, the caps vary between 3% and 9%, depending on the ratio between how much you put down and the amount you finance.
It is Really Coming Down Out There!
3.99
%
APR*
10 Year
FIXED RATE MORTGAGE
Take Advantage of this Limited Time Offer to: Enjoy one low fixed rate Get mortgage-free faster
Pay less interest Build equity quicker
Mills County State Bank M Where Service Makes the Difference C S B 1-800-285-2216 Goldthwaite 325-648-2216
BR-00013284
NMLS# 442123
Early 325-646-0313
Brownwood 325-646-1798
Hamilton 254-386-4461
Hico 254-796-4221
www.mcsbtexas.com
Member FDIC
*Annual Percentage Rate (APR) offer subject to change without notice and based on a first lien for an owner-occupied, single-family residence, maximum combined loan to value of 80%, a credit score of 700 or higher, and automatic payments from a checking account with MCSB. For a $100,000 loan at an interest rate of 3.899% (3.99% APR), the estimated monthly payment would be $1,007.90 for 120 months. Payments do not include amounts for taxes and insurance premiums and the actual total payment obligation may be greater. Subject to program qualifications and standard underwriting guidelines.
Individual banks have varying caps on concessions. No matter where they net out, concessions must be part of the purchase contract.
3. Look into Government Options
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, offers a number of homeownership programs, including assistance with down payment and closing costs. These are typically available for people who meet particular income or location requirements. HUD has a list of links by state that direct you to the appropriate page for information about your state. HUD offers help based on profession as well. If you’re a law enforcement officer, firefighter, teacher, or EMT, you may be eligible under its Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program for a 50% discount on a house’s HUD-appraised value in “revitalization areas.” Those areas are designated by Congress for homeownership opportunities. And if you qualify for an FHA-insured mortgage under this program, the down payment is only $100; you can even finance the closing costs. For veterans, the VA will guarantee part of a home loan through commercial lenders. Often, there’s no down payment or private mortgage insurance required, and the program helps borrowers secure a competitive interest rate. Some cities also offer homeownership help. “The city of Hartford has the HouseHartford Program that gives down payment assistance and closing cost assistance,” says Matthew Carbray, a certified financial planner with Ridgeline Financial Partners and Carbray Staunton Financial Planners in Avon, Conn. The program partners with lenders, real estate attorneys, and homebuyer counseling agencies and has helped 1,200 lowincome families.
4. Check with Your Employer Employer Assisted Housing (EAH) programs help connect low- to moderate-income workers with down payment assistance through
their employer. In Pennsylvania, if you work for a participating EAH employer, you can apply for a loan of up to $8,000 for down payment and closing cost assistance. The loan is interest-free and borrowers have 10 years to pay it back. Washington University in St. Louis offers forgivable loans to qualified employees who want to purchase housing in specific city neighborhoods. University employees receive the lesser of 5% of the purchase price or $6,000 toward down payment or closing costs. Ask the human resources or benefits personnel at your employer if the company is part of an EAH program.
5. Take Advantage of Special Lender Programs Finally, many lenders offer programs to help people buy a home with a small down payment. “I would say that the biggest misconception [of homebuying] is that you need 20% for the down payment of a house,” says Rodriguez. “There are a lot of programs out there that need a total of 3% or 3.5% down.” FHA mortgages, for example, can require as little as 3.5%. But bear in mind that there are both upfront and monthly mortgage insurance payments. “The mortgage insurance could add another $300 to your monthly mortgage payment,” Rodriguez says. Some lender programs go even further. TD Bank, for example, offers a 3% down payment with no mortgage insurance program, and other banks may have similar offerings. “Check with your regional bank,” Rodriguez says. “Maybe they have their own first-time buyer program.” Not so daunting after all, is it? There’s actually a lot of help available to many first-time buyers who want to achieve their homeownership dreams. All you need to do is a little research — and start peeking at those home listings! ERIK SHERMAN covers business, technology, finance, personal finance, and economics for such outlets as CBS MoneyWatch, Inc. com, Fortune.com, and Forbes.com. He’s the author or co-author of 10 books on a variety of subjects. You can follow Erik on Twitter.
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Heartland Your Home
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Marc Followwell
Luann McCluskey, GRI, Broker/Owner
REALTOR ®
325-642-2310
325-200-2581 Multi-Million Dollar Producer
1515 Austin Ave., Brownwood, Tx 76801
Service with Integrity since 1999
BUYING OR SELLING?
325-643-3200 www.brownwoodproperties.com 3909 4TH— 128,300
Spacious 4BD home w/1908 sf featuring open floorplan. Sits on large corner lot with oversized driveway for ample parking. New paint, new interior & exterior doors, new carpet in bedrooms, new fixtures & fans, nice vinyl wood flooring. Lots of windows make this a cheery home! Huge 4th bedroom great for “mancave/ gameroom”…perfect for that big pool table. Walk to Woodland Heights Elementary!
1704 BROADMOOR —$159,000
Beautifully updated 3/2 home featuring gorgeous laminate flooring, new counter-tops & refinished cabinets. Spacious open concept floorplan, also a split bedroom arrangement & plenty of closet space is a bonus. Screened-in porch overlooks privacy-fenced backyard. Storage building & sprinkler system are a plus! Call Marc today for an appt!
Call the McCluskey team today. We are low on inventory and we have buyers!! We will go “the extra mile” for you.
1719 4TH- $24,500 ATTENTION INVESTORS!
Great deal on a property located in Brownwood. 4 bedroom 2.5 bathroom home. The half bath will need to be repaired prior to being used. Great opportunity for a rental property! This one will go fast! Call Marc today!
101 TWIN CREEK
HOME ON 1.4 aCRES & INGROUND POOL IN COMANCHE—
$144,900
4 BDR, 2.5 BATH, office, open concept floorplan, This home also has a great backyard featuring beautiful inground pool, water slide & kiddy pool!
711 BELLE PLAIN— $175,000!!
Commercial building in great location on 1.5 acres. Previously operated as Smith Roofing Company. Located directly behind Underwood's BBQ. Reception area, 5 offices, 4 bathrooms, kitchen, 2 large shops, 2 open yards with covered parking. Call Luann.
603 W. HILLSIDE—COLEMAN
Looking for that unique home in town but need seclusion & privacy? This is it! Beautiful tree-covered lot located at end of dead-end road. Approximately 4000 sf, with possibility for 6 bedrooms. Split level with a basement--great for man-cave or guest bedroom. Upper level with bedroom & bath. Spacious open floorplan. Fabulous kitchen with round island & large breakfast bar. Old tennis court needs restoration. Must see this one to appreciate!! Call Luann for show$187,500! ing!
709 W. COMMERCE $137,500
Antique & jewelry store family owned for over 42 years. Property totally fenced with lots of parking. Seller wants an offer! Let’s make a deal!
RUSTY ANCHOR 1420 BRADY AVE. RESTAURANT COMMERCIAL BLDG $75,000 REDUCED— $18,500 3071 HARBOR DR Previously operated as resLAKE BROWNWOOD taurant. Sold AS—IS Complete with condition. Call Luann.
building, land & inventory…just step in & take over! Sits on approximately .5 acre. Great Time to buy at the lake! Call Luann.
Call Luann today!!
703 W. AUSTIN AVE-$225,000
AUSTIN AVE. AUTO SALES Sale includes business, land, improvements, inventory, & customer base. Lighted parking for 50 vehicles. Large shop w/4 bay doors currently used for auto detailing. Great location w/high traffic count! Call Luann!
2BD/1BTH brick home on corner lot, screened in porch, located in subdivision across from Section Hand Restaurant. Call Marc!
LAKE BROWNWOOD PROPERTIES-—LAKEVIEW & LAKEFRONT 9010 MESA VIEW—$243,900 2-story lakeview home with 3310SF, 4BD/3BTH, granite countertops, huge balcony overlooks beautiful Lake Brownwood. Call Marc!
330 BLUEBONNET 440 BLUEBONNET $134,900 -$147,500 300 FT. WATERFRONT —
7525 FM 2125
NICE 4 BEDROOM DW ON 16 ACRES 2 shops, RV parking —Owner will consider owner finance or trade. Call Luann for showing!
4BD 2BTH lake home on .79 AC. features personal boat ramp & retaining wall that keeps high water out! This home has NEVER flooded! Call Marc today!
2 LAKE HOUSES ON 3 LOTS CAN BE SOLD AS PACKAGE DEAL… OR CAN BE SOLD SEPARATELY
Sits on 3 consecutive lake lots. 0.775 acres w/2 separate houses! 4 RV hook ups. Call Marc today!
4409 EDGEWOOD $74,900
681 CR 611$372,000
CASON COVE AREA Unique rock home with over 2200 sq.ft. Backyard features 3 decks overlooking lake. Shop sits on .37 acre totally fenced across the road. Call Luann for appt.
FEATHERBAY- LOTS NEAR HIDEOUT GOLF COURSE
454 Feather Bay-$26,000 Nice wooded lot for home site; lot is situated between the lake & golf course. Beautiful views of the lake with some clearing.
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Woods Landing-$16,500 Great building site. Come see this beautiful lot near the #10 Teebox! Backyard runs parallel with #9 Hole. Call Marc.
All lots include amenities i.e. free golf, access to restaurant, clubhouse, and pool.
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Heartland Your Home
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What to check on your roof
BIGSTOCK.COM
HEADS
Sunday, September 18, 2016
By Melissa Erickson More Content Now
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“During severe weather, the roof is a home’s first defense. Tornadoes, hailstorms, hurricanes and wind-driven rain can damage a roof or even cause it to blow off, allowing water to pour into a home, soaking insulation and damaging ceilings, walls, appliances and furniture. Wildfires can also impact or even destroy a roof.” Tim Reinhold
our roof is your home’s protection against seasonal weather, high winds, rainstorms, hail and worse. It’s also a vulnerable part of the building being exposed to the weather and at risk for damage, but you can take steps to protect it. “During severe weather, the roof is a home’s first defense. Tornadoes, hailstorms, hurricanes and wind-driven rain can damage a roof or even cause it to blow off, allowing water to pour into a home, soaking insulation and damaging ceilings, walls, appliances and furniture. Wildfires can also impact or even destroy a roof,” said Tim Reinhold, chief engineer at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. Weather may be unpredictable, but there are ways to limit weatherrelated roof damage. Some tips: • Trim trees and cut weak branches that could be broken off by high winds. • Make sure branches of trees and shrubs are cut back several feet so that they don’t overhang the roof and can’t brush against it during a storm.
• In areas with a wildfire risk, remove leaves, pine needles and other debris from the roof, clean out gutters and install wire mesh over roof vents. Cut back tree branches even farther from the roof, and trim low branches to help prevent fire from moving into the tree crown. To keep a roof in top condition, inspect it regularly: • Look for leaks: Check the attic by looking for water stains or damaged wood. Pay special attention around chimneys, vents, pipes and along roof valleys, and look for water stains inside on ceilings. • Check for loose shingle tabs, broken or missing tabs and cracked, buckling or worn shingles. • Check tile or wood shake roofs for loose, missing or broken tiles or shakes. • Examine the roof penetrations (pipes and vents) to ensure that they are well-sealed, without gaps or holes. • Make sure all vents are properly attached to the roof. • Have any wear and tear repaired promptly and replace a roof when necessary. If your roof hasn’t been inspected recently, your
first priority should be to identify and fix any major problems. Some visual clues to look out for include prolonged standing water, bubbles that may indicate trapped moisture in the roof cover, gaps in the roof flashing (strips of metal or other impervious material installed around the perimeter of the roof
edge) and tears in the roof cover. When it’s time to replace your roof, because of weather-related damage or simply age, find a qualified licensed or bonded roofing contractor. Proper installation directly impacts a roof ’s long-term performance. Take the time to check
the contractor’s references and insurance coverage (general liability or professional liability), and talk to the contractor about your expectations. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety has resources available for homeowners at https://disastersafety.org/ hurricane/roofing-theright-way/
Mortgage
Create Your Gathering Place
325-649-9254
400 Fisk, Brownwood INSTITUTION NMLS: 539097
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Heartland Your Home
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Heartland Your Home
SERVICE DIRECTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
New & Used Trailers Parts & Repair Dennis & Virginia Sanderson ownerS
Sanderson Trailers • Buy • Sell • Trade
325 643-3626 800 280-4125 948 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 Jason Dickey Manager
• Composition & Metal Roofing • Metal Buildings • Spray Foam Installation
CALL JOEY 325-642-6806
BR-SPAD0324081143
HARDMAN Construction & Roofing
Be a part of our directory that will publish each Sunday in the classified section of the Brownwood Bulletin, Tuesdays in the Heartland Trading Post, and once a month in Your Home.
Call Trease today! 325-646-2541
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Heartland Your Home
Sunday, September 18, 2016
LAWN TECH
By Melissa Erickson More Content Now
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work. Relatively new in America, lawn robots are popular in Europe and have been doing the job since the first solar-powered robotic mowers were invented in 1995. Many of the companies now offering them here are well established ovwwerseas. “Robotic lawn mowers are commonplace in Europe,” said Karsten Beck, chief administrative officer for Robomow of North America. “But we’re now starting to see more American consumers embrace the technology and make the switch to robotic lawn mowers.” “People don’t realize this technology is available to them,” said Giselle Sendra, digital marketing director for Robomow. “It’s ideal for busy people, single women, people who travel and anyone who doesn’t want to mow themselves.” While Americans traditionally have embraced the idea of a “big lawn mower that burns through a lot of fuel,” a robotic lawn mower offers “freedom,” said Steve Uljua, Husqvarna’s automower expert. “There are better things to do with your time,” Uljua said.
PHOTOS COURTESY HUSQVARNA, ROBOMOW, RACHIO
ome people enjoy mowing the lawn. Others make their kids do it. The tech-savvy have robots to do the sweaty grunt
YARD
SMART Smart technology expands to mowers, watering systems
How they work
Instead of mowing the lawn once a week on a Saturday morning, a robotic lawn mower is set up to mow when you want. Basically, it goes out every day and mows for a consistently manicured lawn. Instead of angled lines defining your yard, a robotic lawn mower creates a smooth carpet of grass that looks always-mowed every day, Uljua said. Depending on your level of expertise, you can have your yard robot installed or do it yourself, which could take up to half a day depending on your ability, Uljua said. Basically, you set up a perimeter with a wire so your yard bot knows where to mow and doesn’t wander away. You have to set it up because current GPS is off by about 6 to 12 feet. That’s the difference between having rose bushes and not, Uljua said. Connect it to its base station, plug it in, and you’re in control. The mower will learn how to best mow
your lawn, where the grass grows heavier or lighter, and wet or dry areas, Uljua said. Upgraded models are connected to you by smartphone app. “It will go out to mow, see that it doesn’t need to, head back to the base and tell you. It’s a really smart machine,” Uljua said. It can also avoid obstacles and tell you if it runs over a branch that came down in last night’s storm and needs maintenance. Robotic lawn mowers have multiple safety features like sensors and
bumpers that react to contact, stopping the blades and turning the machine in a different direction, Sendra said. Some models also have larger wheels for improved traction and hill climbing. The clippings left behind are small enough that there’s no need to rake them; they act as a natural fertilizer for the lawn by decomposing and providing nutrients to the soil. Security features are available so if stolen no one can use it.
Water systems
While not robots, smart, connected
outdoor sprinkler systems are becoming more mainstream. Products like Skydrop and Rachio allow users to maximize water conservation and monitor and control watering through smart technology. “While on the surface a smart sprinkler looks expensive, when you factor rebates and long-term water bill savings, the controller ends up putting money back in your pocket,” said Jared Neilson, chief marketing officer, Skydrop. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, some experts
Sunday, September 18, 2016
estimate that as much as 50 percent of water used for irrigation is wasted due to evaporation, wind or runoff caused by inefficient methods and systems. With the Amazon Echo speaker and Alexa voice service, “it’s now possible for customers to control their Rachio sprinkler system using only their voice – just ask Alexa to water your flower beds for five minutes, or to stop watering the backyard,” said Rob Pulciani, director, Amazon Alexa. “Water is a limited resource. While populations keep growing, the water supply to areas does not. As time progresses people are becoming more aware of the necessity of saving water. … All that said, people love to have a green lawn and Skydrop helps to provide that while saving water,” Neilson said.
Heartland Your Home
Depending on your level of expertise, you can have your yard robot installed or do it yourself, which could take up to half a day depending on your ability. Basically, you set up a perimeter with a wire so your yard bot knows where to mow and doesn’t wander away. You have to set it up because current GPS is off by about 6 to 12 feet. That’s the difference between having rose bushes and not.
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Heartland Your Home
Sunday, September 18, 2016