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rkmnucMwcN >oction a t*rtday, September 13, IMS P«gt t High-tech house is no plaything Bjrl UP! Elizabeth Pennisi adence writer ! For Portia Isaacson, 1 FutureHome is a fanta­ sy come true. 1 If a business meeting keeps her from getting home in time for her husband's birthday, a computer-controlled .scenario, complete with )loving messages,* ro­ mantic lighting, favor- ' ite music and appropri­ ate videos, will let him know .he hasn't been forgotten. A quick call to -- or from -- a computer en­ sures that her hot tub will be warm when she arrives or informs her when her teenaged chil­ dren have gotten home from school. < Answering the door is obsolete. A camera shows who it is by send­ ing a close-up view of newcomers to wherever Isaacson is in the house. Then she can open the door remotely. Can't find the keys or the husband? Via video cameras she can scan shelftops and table sur­ faces. Motion sensors track each person's r o o m t o r o o m movements. It will take 13 comput­ ers,^14 telephones, 26 TV monitors, eight miles of wiring, several video cameras and vid­ eo cassette recorders for Isaacson's new home fulfill her dreams -- at least for now. The white, two-story, stucco, suburban Dallas home, nearly complete for a September move- in, will be an electronic showcase, but with spi­ ral staircase, hot tub, art gallery, and style, says Isaacson, a com­ puter scientist. Isaacson's house, which she dubbed Fu­ tureHome to distinguish it as a model of the fu­ ture, is her attempt to meld interior design with high technology. For those still awed by computerized answer­ ing machines, her tastes might seem ex­ treme. She has robots for pets, a sculpture of stereo and video compo­ nents that "seem to float in space," futuris­ tic plant stands that are •eally computer termi- lals, and a media 'command center," that includes four 25- inch TVs, a 40-inch TV projection screen, 2 VCRS, and compact and laser disk players. The house may seem outlandish, even Or- wellian, to some, but to Isaacson it is the hell- weather of homes to come. At FutureHome a master computer is in charge. It receives data from the rest of the house and sends out commands, dimming lights, changing ther­ mostat settings, and switching tv channels and volumes the way a person with infrared re­ mote controls might control a TV set. Using a text-to-speech converter, the comput­ er can answer and Buying insurance: Cost depends on Editor's Note: This is the last in a series of five articles provided by the Cooperative Ex­ tension Service of Mc- Henry County about property Insurance. If you're in the mar­ ket for homeowners in­ surance, cost is proba­ bly one of the most important factors to you. The cost of insuring your dwelling and pos­ sessions will depend on the value of your prop­ erty, based on construc­ tion and location, the type and amount of cov­ erage you buy and the insurance rates in your area. Brick is more fire re­ sistant than frame con­ struction and is there­ fore less expensive to insure, according to Nancy Moore, McHenry County Extension adviser "Similarly, a building located pear fire protec­ tion is less expensive to insure than a building located several miles from a recognized source of fire protec­ tion. Also, some areas have high crime and vandalism rates, ahd this affects the cost of \ insuring against suctn losses." The cost of homeown­ ers insurance varies wi- deley, from one area to another and from one company to another, Moore said. "The time spend shopping for in" surance is time well spent. You may be able to save up to 5 percent on costs, and that can add up to big money." %f> » vff- jo'. . V However, she cau­ t ions homeowners against choosing insur­ ance policies solely on the basis of cost. Price is only one fac­ tor to consider. You also need to check on a company's policy provi­ sions, claims practices, and agents or broker service. Policies vary from company to com­ pany with regard to theft coverage, co-in- surance, deductibiles and exclusions. Some companies may provide additional cov­ erages without increas­ ing a premium, while others charge for every coverage. Make it your OPEN HOUSE SEPT. 15 • 1 TO 5 PM HORSE LOVERS TAKE NOTE! Rural Genoa City , Very nice aluminum sided 2+ bdrm. ranch. Fenced paddock with 30x50 foot pole bldg. on one acre • not a drive/by...Call Jan Peterson at TLC REALTY (414) 723-2333 or Hm.(414) 742-3931 make telephone calls. When someone -- a housekeeper or tardy teenager, for instance -- punches in their indi­ vidualized codes to get into the front door, the computer can be cued to let Isaacson know, ei­ ther where she is in the home or at work. 'it can tell me the condition of the house 1 want it to monitor," she said. Not only can lights or favori te music be turned on as a person enters a room, a synthe­ sized voice can wel­ come guests, remind a son to keep his feet off furniture or wake a hus­ band in time for dinner. Even the electrical outlets are high-tech. There's the usual place to plug in the toaster, as well as jacks for plug­ ging in a computer and a telephone. Heating and air-con­ ditioning are regulated electronically, and the computer keeps tracks temperatures in each room so that the new occupants can assess airflow throughout the house. Once computerized, the entire house can be run from any one of 10 personal computers by pointing with a light pen to a particular room pictured on the screen, and designating a task to be completed: lights on or off, specific music to be played, tv show to be recorded by the VCR. Or "scripts" can be written that coordinate activities for emergen­ cies, normal household maintenance, even fam­ ily feuds. For example to take care of intruders, a se­ curity script: If a secu­ rity sensor detects a break-in, the computer could be programmed to flash all the lights, blast the stereos, wake up and tell the residents where the stranger is lurking, perhaps even inform the surprised would-be burglars that they are being filmed. Of course such a high tech home can have its drawbacks. There's no hiding from an irate spouse. Special sensors detect and pinpoint movement in the house and track its occupants. "Slamming doors is totally obsolete," Isaac­ son said about family spats. "REPOSSESSED HOMES" F.H.A. & V.A. foreclosures • non-vets & investors welcomed. Low down payments. Present V. A. at 11 lA% interest-fixed-30 yrs. 1 point---call for more info. SHAMROCK REALTY 815-728-0424 aim to get the best pro­ tection possible for your Insurance dollar. Moore said it is possi- bile to reduce the annu­ al premium paid for homeowners insurance by having a deductible clause written into your policy. A deductible is the amount of a loss you pay yourself. The insur­ ance company pays the amount remaining after you pay the deductible. The higher the deduct­ ible, the greater the premium savings. Most policies are written with $100 or $200 deduct ibles , Moore said. "For example, if a grease fire in the kitch­ en causes $500 in dam­ ages and your policy is written with a $100 de­ ductible, $400 of the damages would be covered. "Cost of a homeown­ ers or renters policy is important, but no more important than the pro­ tection you get for the money. The best advice is to compare policies and agents before you buy." - : • " V HILLTOP RANCH Lovely mature landscaping surrounds this hilltop ranch which has 2 bdrms. full basemeht. al tached garage Generous sue lot has fenced yard Hard to beat this buy' Asking $54,900 CONDO Parquet floor and like new area rug I built-in hutch give this 2 bdrm . bath condo the edge All appliances including microwave, refn gerator, washer-dryer, trash compactor, dish wisher, oven range, disposal. Asking $39,500 Northern Illinois Realty ^ 3815 W. ELM ST. (RTES. 120 and 31) McHENRY NOHIKIRH IIIINOIS REALTY SERVICE 815-385-2340 COUNTRY LIVING In beautiful Golfdale Estates near like Benedict. If you're looking for privacy, this is it! •••,••0 OWNER SAYS "SELL" 10 room hillside ranch. Beautiful I acre parcel, iboveground pool. Pool table in family room and 2 car garage. This one it for the family that plays to gether. Owner aniious! $07,$00 OWNER TRANSFERRED Massive stone fireplace in family room sets the tone for cozy winter get togethers With 3 bedrooms, 2 baths all tastefully decorated, shows real pride of ownership $11,100 LAKE VIEW Possible owner financing for this charming lake view home with 4 bedrooms, full basement and garage $00,100 EH MMbw| Bnoch OfRoi 2313 Mmbwi Died 815-385-8821 815-344-1033 MEMBERS OF BOTH McHENRY A LAKE COUNTY MULTIPLE LISTIJNGS SERVICES! REALTY WORLD REALTY WORLD DURBIN STOVALL 4213 W. Elm Street McHenry (815)385-8080 rV. ri^yw* "$37,900 RUSTIC CHARM ABOUNDS th's solidly built log house with cathedral ceilings and stone fireplace and knotty pine waits Near the lake and ready for you to move in S>9,500 M A PRIVACY, s bedroom home on 4 .ooded lots with fireplaces io|io»nd pool detached garaf* with studio above Close to botch area to* summer tun ryvr wr--» SERENE SE?TIN'C °8i COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES. Home hosts 2200 so ft with large rooms, c/a. 2 car garage, huge family room with fireplace All appliances large deck and river rights to docks end beach m eluded Super immaculate 3/4 ACRE ?N3D&TC°H CREEK. Beautiful landscaped lot wit* fruit trees is |ust the start Inside ate 4 wry large bedrooms 2 1/2 baths. Ig family room w/fueplace and an eitra large kitchen All this and more $168,900 WNWdOD BEAUTY. LANE DA Lovely i unique builders own home overlooking creek on large lot This hillside ranch offers so many special features. 3 car garage (heated). 4 bdrms. 2 fireplaces, 6 panelled doors, huge walk out lower level with wet bar and much much more A FIVE bIdR460M VIRGINIA COLONIAL with white pillars and hand some red brick, set back on 3 1/4 acres Cucu lat driveway leads to an impressive Iron) entry (.usurious master bedroom suite complete with ti replace and ileum Inormovs kitchen sith tits and oak cabinets and center island built ins FREE MARKET EVALUATION f^ll (SIS) 385-8060 REALTY WORLD COZY, CUTE AND ENERGY EFFICIENT In addition to a standard gas furnace, this solar home has a wood burning fireplace stove and low, low heat bills*. Large kitchen has wood cabi­ nets, no wax floors. Plush carpet. Truly adorable. In Highland Shores. Reduced! ,....$52,900 WATERFRONT ON WONDER THE GREAT GETAWAY Nestled high on a hill close to the state park conservation area and the Fox River, this 3 bedroom brick and cedar hillside ranch is a perfect re­ creational retreat. Wood burning fireplace, intercom, 2 car attached garage, plus a one car detached garage. $115,900 LAKE With 150 feet of frontage and 300 feet of depth, there's plenty of room to expand this 2 bedroom 1 bath home. This is a chance for the builder or handy man to improve this basic 5 room ranch. JUST LISTED! AIMiew kitchen with antique wood-burning stove makes the anticipation of winter ea­ sier to accept. You'll love the nice neighborhood and the wooded lot. Four bed­ rooms, full basement. Wood- $69,500 $55,900 JOHN JUNG RIAL ESTATE, INC RTE 47 t COUNTRY ClUB RD. WOODSTOCK §15-336-6470 [rj 815-459-9300 U Each office independently owned & operated wm ' * •> it , ,• (£ W v •• WjjmmMm HhS mmmsm This one has everything beginning with 4 large bedrooms, 2H baths, a separate family room with a woodburmng fireplace! There's e lull basement with a walk out1 Central air con ditioning swimming pool dog run and a dy namite iohnsburg location Make your dream come true for only $104,MO WW ••!• This elegant 2 bedroom home has all large rooms There ere 2 baths and a separate family room and utility room! fnoplace in the family loom' Hardwood ftoori' lotmal dining room' Hooted goraga Too many oities to mention and ell lor SOS,000 tit)m-tim mm "PRICED TO SELL" large three bedroom tn level home with i baths, a separate family room. 2H cor |ora|e and located on a nice coiner, lot It's so neot and clean it s like new constrvction fou won I find more house than tltrs one foi only mammmrnSSitm COUNTRY FAINETTE 2 ecies of unspoiled country land with a large 4 bedroom home with 2 baths (noplace, heated garage and in eicellent condition 40 barn lor horses or storage Many eitios here making this an unusual buy lor only 1104,000 PP. wmm. i i imV fri t i f j RCAUTfM FOX HVCR WATUFMNT Two homos for the price of one*' The mom 1800 sq ft J bedroom home is bwiH with true quality and lots of tender loving tore Very bright cheerful and open* The second guest house is on neet os e pin end is suitable for year round living' The fenced in yerd is unbel lovably bMwtiful' Pier and sea wail included $140,000 PRIDE Of OWNERSHIP Very sharp ) bedroom heme m eicettenl tondi two m a great local ion Separate lemily room* 2H ik garage1 Super veloe at only IM,IH MkMM, YOUff'WCOffNOOf THCWOILO rou It love the large corner lot in Millslrtom Subdivision tipecioihr ell the trees end flower ing shrubs' Then you II want to move ngfct into the delightful bi level home with 4 bedrooms ar>4 ? births Sharp!, decorated and weii maintained throughout Itcetlent m town value Us $72,900 tii-mim KMOCNTIAl VACANT RUUNM SITES I at in Chapel m,ii Oaks across trom Chapel HHI , Country Club lohnsbu'g schools only 110.M0 lakeland Park City lot with crty sewer and wa . tar (0 • 120 make offer asking 111,MO I at in Spring Mill frails m nice guiet area at String Grove lit,MO ion Hit