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Gadgets from The Jetsons That Have Become a Reality

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

7 Gadgets from ‘The Jetsons’ That Have Become a Reality

 
jetsons

Photo: tvtropes.org

If you were around during either run of "The Jetsons"—first in 1962 and again in 1985—you may have watched the show and wondered if the technology the futuristic family used would ever become a reality. In fact, quite a few of the gadgets used on the show have become commonplace in real life. From robotic maids to video chatting, here’s a look at how the future predicted by "The Jetsons" has become the present and how you can get in on it today.

1. Robot Vacuums

The Jetsons had robotic helpers that took care of all sorts of daily tasks around the house. Rosie, the family’s robot maid, was always working to keep their Home in tip-top shape. While we may not be quite at the Rosie level with our robots, little helpers like the Roomba from iRobot can get you pretty close.

Roomba will take care of the vacuuming for you. It may still need some maintenance—like emptying dust bins or making sure the floor is clear so it can do its job—but if you hate vacuuming, this little guy is going to be your best friend. These types of home automation devices promise to free up tons of time for more important activities in your day-to-day lives.

2. Smartwatches

Way back when Steve Jobs was just a boy, the Jetsons had little square watches they would watch TV on. While the Apple Watch doesn’t have the ability to stream television—yet—it does bear a striking resemblance to the gadget the Jetsons used almost 50 years before the Apple Watch was unveiled.

Even if you can’t catch up on your Netflix queue, today’s smartwatches have a lot of futuristic capabilities. You can take calls, set reminders, check sports scores, see weather forecasts, and do other tasks right on your wrist.

3. Video Calls

Another technological capability that probably seemed far-fetched at the time "The Jetsons" aired was video chatting. The characters would call each other up and communicate as if they were face-to-face. These days, apps like FaceTime and Skype make it as easy as tapping a contact name.

Of all the advances in technology that have accompanied the smartphone craze, video chatting might be the most life changing. Grandparents can see their grandkids from thousands of miles away at any time. Soldiers can chat with their spouses and children from across the ocean. The impact this tech has had on families can’t be overstated.

4. Talking Tech

In "The Jetsons," George was woken up each day by a talking alarm clock built into his bed. After being rudely startled awake, he could silence the alarm with his own voice—usually an angry grunt or groan.

If you want the talking alarm clock experience, plenty of options are available. Smartphone apps like the Rock Clock allow you to rise every morning to Dwayne Johnson’s soothing vocals, while dedicated alarm clocks that talk to you are available for the old-school consumer.

It isn’t just alarms that talk, though. It’s possible to have anything on your screen read to you using accessibility tech like screen readers, and digital assistants like Siri and Alexa will not only speak info to you but also have actual conversations with you.

5. Flat-Screen TVs

At a time when many TVs were still black and white and all of them were thick and bulky with tiny screens, "The Jetsons" featured flat-screen TVs with huge screens that lowered from the ceiling. In the ’60s, this would have been unthinkable.

Today’s televisions are ultra-thin and often very light with huge screens and ridiculously high resolutions. LG unveiled a model at CES this year that is less than 2.6 millimeters thick and weighs only seventeen pounds—and it’s a sixty-five-inch display!

TVs that retract into the ceiling are also a thing. Companies like Nexus 21 can install a TV concealment system that makes it impossible to tell anything is there until you’re ready to watch, keeping your walls and living space open until show time.

6. Drones

The Jetson kids were dropped off at school each day by robotic drones—a far cry from the school buses most of us grew up with. While we are still a long way off from personal drones to chauffeur us around, the technology is advancing rapidly, and drones are being used for a variety of purposes.

Consumer-oriented drones are basically futuristic RC cars, and military drones fly combat missions while keeping our troops out of harm’s way. Even Amazon’s delivery drones can have an order to your doorstep in less than thirty minutes. Self-driving cars are also coming along nicely, so it might not be long before these technologies converge to bring us our very own Jetsons-style transport pods.

7. Pill Cameras

A piece of technology that’s easy to miss both on "The Jetsons" and in everyday life is the PillCam. On the show, George swallows a little robot that travels around his body and performs a checkup. If you’ve had any sort of digestive issues in the last several years, the chances are good you may have swallowed a very similar device.

The PillCam is exactly what it sounds like—a camera in a pill-shaped case that you swallow. It can be a little hard to choke down due to the size, but once swallowed, the camera goes to work, imaging your digestive tract and transmitting the info to a receiver. This helps diagnose a variety of illnesses, like Crohn’s disease, and helps the patient avoid a much more elaborate and invasive endoscopy procedure.

"The Jetsons" first aired in 1962, and fifty years later the show’s futuristic vision of life has very nearly become a reality. What do you think our homes and lives will be like in another 50 years?

Tom Stachler is one of the Ann Arbor and Saline Michigan's leading real estate brokers with over 25 years of experience in the Ann Arbor and surrounding areas.  Check out the MLS Listings link above for a list of thousands of real estate listings for sale in Michigan.

How to Prepare Your Home Before Going on Vacation

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

How to Prepare Your Home Before Going on Vacation

luxurious villa with swimming pool at dusk

Your summer vacation is finally here! You’ve booked flights, reserved hotel rooms, and scoped out the best places to eat along the way, but have you prepared your home for your absence?

Nothing spoils a vacation like returning to smelly trash, sad house plants, or an unexpected break-in. Whether you plan to be gone for a week or a month, there are a few simple steps you can take to get your home ready so you can relax and enjoy your time away.

Clean Up

Leave your home exactly as you’d like to find it when you return—like new!

  • Empty your refrigerator of any perishable foods that will pass their enjoy-by dates while you are away, and toss open pantry items that will mold or go stale.
  • Take out the trash and recycling. Don’t forget about smaller trash cans in bathrooms and utility rooms.
  • Finish, fold, and put away laundry. You’ll likely have clothes to wash when you return, so get a jumpstart before you go.  
  • Wash your sheets and towels, and remake your beds. You’ll thank your past self when you come home to fresh linens in clean bedrooms and bathrooms.
  • Wipe down counters, run your garbage disposal, sanitize toilets, and organize clutter.

Close Out

Reduce the possibility of surprise maintenance issues, which can be costly to fix, by keeping up with regular home repairs throughout the year.

  • Perform routine inspections and weatherize. Make sure your heating and cooling systems, gas and water lines, and roof and windows are in good shape. Clean up your yard, mow the grass, and take care of any dead trees or overhanging limbs that could cause damage in severe weather.
  • Unplug all small appliances. This will save power and eliminate the potential for things to short-circuit and cause significant electrical damage.
  • Check your smoke detectors. Batteries die, parts wear out, and dust and other pollutants can impede alarm performance. Make sure your home is prepared in case of fire, and consider integrating your detectors into your home security system so the fire department is notified in an emergency.
  • Turn off your water at the main shut-off valve to prevent damage in the case of a burst pipe or water heater malfunction. Consider installing a water and flood sensor, which detects moisture where it shouldn’t be and pushes notifications to your smartphone.
  • Leave your closet doors ajar to prevent mold and musty smells from building up.

Secure

Protect your home and belongings from thieves. The highest percentage of burglaries occur during the summer months, and homes without security or alarm systems are up to 300 percent more likely to be broken into.

  • Set up remote monitoring. You can have a security system professionally installed or start with a wireless security camera that you can view from your smartphone. If you have a security monitoring service, let them know that you are traveling.
  • Collect spare keys. If you have house keys hiding under doormats or flower pots, bring them inside so prowlers don’t find them. Leave an extra set with a trusted neighbor or friend in case there’s an issue that needs to be addressed while you’re away.
  • Hold your mail and newspapers. Nothing signals that you are out of town like an overflowing mailbox or stack of unread papers on your front porch. Placing a hold with USPS is as easy as completing an online form and will prevent identity thieves from targeting sensitive information found in bills and credit card statements.
  • Take advantage of home automation. You can link everything from smart locks that you can triple-check via smartphone app to smart doorbell cameras that sense motion on your front porch and have two-way audio.
  • Close blinds into rooms that contain expensive items, and set up smart light timers that mirror your regular habits when you’re home.
  • Ask for help. Have a neighbor park in your driveway while you’re gone, and enlist a friend to water your plants and check up periodically on your property.

A little bit of preparation will go a long way when it comes to leaving your home clean and secure, and enjoying your vacation stress-free!

Tom Stachler is a Michigan Licensed Builder and Broker serving the Ann Arbor, Saline and surrounding real estate communities.  Please check out the ALL MLS listings for a list of Active status homes and condos for sale.  

High School and College Gift Ideas

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team
As students prepare to graduate from high school and college in the coming weeks, family members and friends are beginning the search for graduation gifts. Though money may seem like the obvious choice, giving a physical item can make your gift stand out among a stack of cards. Here are five potential gifts for high-school and college graduates:

Business cards: As college graduates enter the “real world,” business cards can help them look professional at career fairs and job interviews. If you don’t know what design your grad would prefer, sites like Tiny Prints and Zazzle offer gift certificates. Complete the gift with a business card holder.

Book journals: Without homework, college grads have a lot more time to read for pleasure. One of my favorite gifts I’ve ever received is the What I Read book journal (http://amzn.to/2r3uQy2), which includes space to write the name and author of the book, when you read it, the rating you give it and comments. Other companies that sell book journals include Moleskine and Barnes and Noble.

Letters to the graduate: From the makers of letters to my future self (also a great gift), this book of 12 prompted letters: (http://amzn.to/2rN512q)

Q&A journals: High-school graduates might like this Q&A a day for college journal (http://amzn.to/2rMCMB1), which provides 365 questions for them to answer during each of their four years in college. Questions range from “What did you eat at the dining hall today?” to bigger questions about goals and relationships, and the writer can see how answers change over the course of their undergraduate career. For college graduates, the five-year Q&A a day journal (http://amzn.to/2r38zk5).

Stationery: Both high school and college graduates will have many thank-you notes to write, and finding nice stationery is the first step. Names or initials add a personal touch, and companies like Crane & Co., American Stationery, and The Stationery Studio offer customized cards and letter sheets. Card boxes, in which guests can put cards at graduation parties, are another good gift option.

Or you could buy them a new condo or Home?  ;-)  Give us a call if we can ever help with a realty matter by using the contact information for Tom Stachler listed on this website or direct dial at 734-996-0000.  

Fictional Towns that would be Bad for Real Estate

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

4 Fictional Towns That Would Be Bad for Real Estate

 

Have you ever envisioned living in one of your favorite fictional towns? I’ve personally dreamt of living in Stars Hollow—albeit for a short period of time, or else I’d go crazy—or waking up in Hogwarts. We tend to get excited about fictional towns because anything that can separate us from our mundane and earthly existence sounds like a good deal at first. But would you really want to invest or even move to some of TV’s hottest destinations? Stars Hollow, Conn., maybe, but avoid these far seedier towns.

Gotham City (Gotham

gotham fictional towns real estate

Source: gotham.wikia.com

Through the years, Batman’s Home has taken architectural tips from Boston and New York City. For now, Manhattan seems to be its most faithful blueprint. Sky-high rates aside, Gotham City might have everything you need to get a buyer to come in for a tour. Sometimes, the city might do you such a solid that it’ll fool you into thinking you’re about to close. That is until something blows up nearby—hopefully not too nearby. I don’t think your client will care about Batman being able to save you or not. “Casualties” is not a word buyers take lightly.

Riverdale, Planet Earth (Riverdale

Riverdale

Source: tvseriesfinale.com/The CW

It isn’t hard to get people interested in suburban towns if the price is right and the location optimal. Surely, that’s how Archie and the gang saw it before things turned dark and twisty in Riverdale. For one, a varsity football star was murdered. And secondly, intense bullying in Riverdale High might be forcing a few parents to pack their bags and leave town. I don’t know, with so many suburbs to choose from, I might purposefully overlook this one.

Twin Peaks, Wash. (Twin Peaks)

It might be true that it’s been over 25 years since Laura Palmer was found dead and wrapped up in plastic by the edge of the river. It is also true that Detective Dale Cooper is returning to the town of Twin Peaks. But none of those things would make one feel safe after the nature and magnitude of the events that took place in 1990. Not only that, but Twin Peaks wasn’t exactly a booming town back then with a failing lumber mill and dwindling population of 51,201—actually 5,120. And if we’re being honest, One-Eyed Jack's is only enjoyable for creeps, and they don’t buy property; they sleep in the woods.

Hawkins, Ind. (Stranger Things

stranger things fictional towns real estate

Source: strangerthings.wikia.com/Netflix

Before Will Byers went missing, Hawkins already looked like it was falling apart. Sure, some areas were more cleaned up than others, but all in all, Hawkins was an accident waiting to happen. You might’ve been able to sell your buyers on the eerie quaintness of the town, continuously quoting Chief Hopper when he said that “the worst thing that has ever happened [in the four years I’ve been working here] was when an owl attacked Eleanor Gillespie’s head because it thought it was a nest.” Since experiments began on Eleven and the bridge to the Upside Down was opened, mornings in Hawkins are not for coffee and contemplation.

 

Tom Stachler is a licensed Michigan Builder and Broker helping families with their real estate needs in and around the Ann Arbor and Saline home and condo realty markets.  Contact us today for more information and feel free to use the handy Links above for immediate assistance.  

April 2017 Real Estate Market Update

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

 

Please contact me regarding any of your real estate needs. I am happy to assist you.

Tom Stachler is a licensed Michigan Builder and Broker helping families with their real estate needs in and around the Ann Arbor and Saline Home and condo realty markets.  Contact us today for more information and feel free to use the handy Links above for immediate assistance.  

Knowledge Reigns Supreme in Resort and Second-Home Marketplace

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Louis Price, a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker in New Buffalo, Mich., has seen his business gravitate toward second homes over the last several years. Serving the Lake Michigan area, his client base trends toward second-home seekers from Chicago who are looking for homes by the lake.

That’s why when Price first learned about the Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS) certification offered by the National Association of REALTORS®, he knew he needed to get it.

“When I found out about the certification, I thought, ‘the more knowledge I can get about second homes and resorts, the better off I’ll be, and the better I can serve my clients,'” says Price.


“It really brought me up to date on the thought process they go through and helped me better figure out how to deal with their needs,” says Price.During his class, he learned about the attitudes of second-home buyers, and the differences between those looking for investment properties and those looking to get away and relax.

With a better understanding of their mindset, Price believes he has better credibility with clients. Many are impressed that he’s furthering his knowledge and like that he’s an expert in the area.


A REALTOR® since 1983 and a multimillion-dollar producer many times over, Price feels it’s important to always improve his knowledge base. With less than 1 percent of real estate professionals having earned the designation nationally, Price often champions the certification, telling other agents why they should follow his lead.“I think it carries extra weight with buyers and sellers, but it also carries extra weight with other real estate professionals, because they know I have the experience in resorts and second homes, so if they bring me an offer, or I bring them an offer, they know I’m aware of what’s going on in the market,” says Price. “There’s a respect there.”

As a member of the National Resort and Second Home Real Estate Committee, his responsibilities include staying up to date and protecting the interests of property owners and real estate professionals when it comes to second homes and resort properties.


While he’s seen an increase in business lately, Price feels that his RSPS certification makes him a preferred choice for those looking for second homes and resort properties.“The big question from buyers is, ‘Will I be able to Rent this house out?’ Some people don’t want to live in a rental community, so having that knowledge and knowing what different associations are doing is important for success,” says Price.

“The second home and resort business has been on an upswing the last couple years,” concludes Price. “Prices are going up a bit, but it’s also been a very good time for buyers.”

 

Check out our Waterfront or Income properties link above under MLS listings for a list of places for sale.   Call Tom with any questions that you may have.  Tom Stachler is a licensed builder and broker working in Ann Arbor and the surrounding MIchigan market areas.  

Angelina Jolie's New Home Near Los Angeles

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Angelina Jolie Enters Escrow in Los Feliz

 

Screen Shot 2017-04-24 at 5.45.42 AM

What’s better than a little retail therapy after a big breakup? Real estate retail therapy. Post-split, actress/humanitarian Angelina Jolie recently dropped an epic $25 million on a sprawling Los Feliz estate once owned by iconic silver-screen director Cecil B. DeMille, who lived in the dramatic Home until his death in 1959.

Built in 1913, the 11,000 square foot home is located on DeMille Drive. The space has six bedrooms (the exact number of Jolie’s children), ten bathrooms, a pool house, poolside gym, private studio, library and charming rose gardens. Views from the home highlight the sparkling LA cityscape, the ocean, and the Griffith Park Observatory. The estate roosts on over two acres of land in the Laughlin Park community.

The home isn’t far from Brad Pitt’s historic Hollywood mansion, a space Jolie once occupied with Pitt and co. Behold its massive glory in the following array of photos.

Screen Shot 2017-04-24 at 5.45.23 AM Screen Shot 2017-04-24 at 5.45.10 AM Screen Shot 2017-04-24 at 5.44.47 AM Screen Shot 2017-04-24 at 5.44.34 AM Screen Shot 2017-04-24 at 5.44.24 AM Screen Shot 2017-04-24 at 5.44.10 AM Screen Shot 2017-04-24 at 5.44.01 AM Screen Shot 2017-04-24 at 5.43.46 AM Screen Shot 2017-04-24 at 5.43.33 AM

Sold for: $24,950,000

Fabulous Dog Houses

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Take Pet Pampering to the Next Level with These Fabulous Dog Houses

 

Dog owners are infamous for providing their furry ones with a better lifestyle than their own. For instance, you might recall the time Paris Hilton had a replica of her mansion done for her pet Chihuahua.

We don’t need to go there, but there are definitely plenty of crazy options in the market. Who knows, one of them might catch your fancy.

Mediterranean Villa

Is your dog named Quixote? Donatello? If not, you might as well rename them, especially if that means they get to live in this licensed villa. Look at that wooden double door! Seriously, if you can’t win your dog’s affection with this one, then just stop trying.

The Full-Fledged Mansion

DogHouseMansion

via LaPetiteMaison.com

If you’re going to go all out, you might as well just get your dog a straight-up mansion. If you already own a mansion (like Paris), I’d say it’s only fair you share the wealth. (Although your dog probably has its own room in the house. But why not both? #Excess.)

Related: When it Comes to Homeownership Decisions, Pets Rule

The Victorian Home

Victorian

via LaPetiteMaison.com

I’m a big fan of Victorian homes, so I’d probably go for this one… for myself? How is that a dog house? I only wish my downtown New Haven apartment looked as picturesque as this puppy’s home. I hope his name is Darcy and that he wants to be my friend.

The Dog-equivalent of the "Home Alone" Mansion

HomeAlone

via LaPetiteMaison.com

I’d say this is pretty close to the McCallister home, right? (As far as dog houses go, at least.) I can totally imagine dogs holding town meetings inside this bad boy. If I were a dog myself, I’d probably prefer sleeping in here than inside my owner’s run-down home. Because let’s face it, the dog who owns this home is definitely much better off than his owner.

And this was just a quick search! There are legitimate houses for dogs out there. As in, a concrete building with rooms where only your dog(s) reside(s). I know there’s always stuff to fix around the house, but surely your four-legged friend takes priority?

Tom Stachler is a Michigan realtor, broker and builder.  Please visit the other Links, real estate for sale listings and other resources located above.  Call us for any of your realty needs in the areas surrounding the Ann Arbor and Saline communities.  

 

30 Year Mortgage Rate Dips Down for Third Straigh Week

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate this week averaged 4.10 percent, while the 15-year fixed mortgage rate averaged 3.36 percent. The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable mortgage rate averaged 3.19 percent.

“The 10-year Treasury yield was relatively unchanged this week, while the 30-year mortgage rate fell four basis points to 4.1 percent,” said Sean Becketti, chief economist at Freddie Mac, in a statement on the survey. “After three straight weeks of declines, the 30-year mortgage rate is now barely above the 2017 low. Next week’s survey rate may be determined by Friday’s employment report and whether or not it can sustain the strength from earlier this year.”

Look for the lowest rates using Ann Arbor's best lenders by visiting www.LendAnnArbor.com for a list of the area's best mortgage brokers.  The lenders are from many different companies and all have at least 15 years of experience and are either a vice president or branch manager.  

 

Tom Stachler is one of Saline Michigan's leading real estate brokers and buyers agents with over 25 years of experience in the Ann Arbor and surrounding areas.  Check out the MLS Listings link above for a list of thousands of real estate listings for sale in Michigan.  

 

The Nuts and Bolts of Home Construction Loans are Complex

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

The complexities of home construction loans can hit you like a falling two-by-four. Be sure you understand the intricacies before you apply.

Two Types of Construction Loans
There are two main types of home construction loans:

Construction-to-Permanent: With these loans, the lender advances the money to pay for construction. After the home is built, the same lender rolls the loan balance into a standard mortgage. This is by far the more popular option.


With a construction-to-permanent loan, there is one closing. During construction, you pay only interest on the outstanding loan balance. It converts into a mortgage after the home is built. You lock a maximum mortgage rate at the beginning, when construction begins.Stand-Alone Construction: With these loans, it’s often the lender that advances money to build the house. When construction is finished, you get a mortgage to pay off the construction debt.

A stand-alone construction loan could be worthwhile if it allows a smaller down payment. Because this type of loan doesn’t allow you to lock a maximum mortgage rate in advance, you risk a rise in interest rates. Another disadvantage is that your circumstances could change during construction, making it impossible to qualify for a permanent loan—and you pay for two closings: once on the construction loan, and later, on the mortgage.


Your down payment is likely to be at least 20 percent of the loan amount, although some lenders go as low as 10 percent. The lender will determine whether you can afford the loan payments during construction while you’re paying the Rent or mortgage on your current home.More Difficult to Qualify
Qualifying for a construction-to-permanent loan could be more onerous than getting a regular mortgage. This is because the lender doesn’t have the completed house as collateral to back the loan during the construction period.

Have Adequate Savings
The lender will make sure you have savings to pay for unexpected costs. “There are always cost overruns when you are building a home that you may not know about until you are into it. We don’t want them to use every last dime they have before they start,” says Dennice Henshaw, East Side division manager for Washington Federal in Seattle, Wash.


Do Your Due Diligence on the BuilderCost overruns tend to come about because borrowers have a tendency to change their minds about what they want as construction proceeds.

An important aspect of building your home is choosing the right builder. Find one that has built the kind of house you want in terms of price, style and size. Look into the builder’s credentials with the local home builders association and ask for references from previous clients. You could also see if there are any complaints against the builder with the Better Business Bureau.

Typically, your lender will look into the builder’s credit standing, financial situation and licenses, as well as the track record for building similar homes.

Ongoing Inspections
Lenders will conduct routine inspections as the home is built. During this period, the lender pays the builder in stages—called “draws”—and usually sends an appraiser or inspector to make sure that construction proceeds as planned.

Cynthia DeLuca, group mortgage manager for BB&T in Raleigh, N.C., says, “Our clients could get upside down, where they have 50 percent of the loan but the house is only 25 percent done. We look at how much it is going to cost to complete the house to try to stay on track.”

Typically, you sign off on each draw request so that you are kept informed how the work is proceeding.  Check out the area's best lenders before you decide on your next loan at www.LendAnnArbor.com .  Each mortgage broker is either a vice-president or branch manager and all have been in the business for at least 15 years of experience.  

Tom Stachler is one of Ann Arbor's leading realty brokers having over 25 years of experience.  Get the latest listing information directly from the board of realtors MLS system by clicking on the MLS Listings tab above.  More real estate related information and Links can be had under the resources tab above.  

 

saline ann arbor real estate broker agent new listing for sale Lease for rent sold prices coming soon dexter chelsea ypsilanti michigan homes for sale in ann arbor saline mi real estate one loans mortgage information best available rates

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