Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Gov. Newsom's proposed cuts to meet the new coronavirus economy include two California programs aimed at keeping poor and medically fragile seniors in their homes.

SACRAMENTO, Calif Linda Jacobs worked for non-profit organizations in California for years, including directing a substance abuse program for women. She never made much money. Now, Jacob lives off her monthly Social Security checks, and at 71, she suffers from many health problems, among them diabetes, asthma, heart disease and arthritis.

The one thing keeping her out of a nursing home, she believes, is a state program inelegantly named the Multipurpose Senior Services Program, or MSSP. The program serves more than 11,000 people like her people who are older, medically fragile and at real risk of being institutionalized in a skilled nursing facility. Every month, a social worker visits Jacobs at her mobile home in Concord to assess her needs, making sure she has enough food, arranging transportation for doctor visits, installing grab bars in her bathroom to prevent falls, even providing an emergency kit.

Grim pandemic-fueled cuts to Californias state budget could shutter Jacobs program as early as July along with another adult day health program that supporters say also has helped keep thousands of low-income seniors out of expensive nursing homes.

Gov. Gavin Newsoms revised budget, which must be approved by state lawmakers, eliminates the MSSP program and another one called Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS), in which seniors go to adult day health programs for medical care, physical therapy, meals and socialization. These programs, paid for by Medi-Cal, Californias Medicaid program, are considered by the federal government to be optional. In contrast, Medi-Cal must pay for nursing home care for those who qualify for it; those benefits cant be cut to trim the state budget.

Together, the two senior health programs serve nearly 46,000 of Californias poorest and most medically frail seniors in their homes or at one of 260 adult day health centers around the state.

Eliminating them could save the state about $410 million over the next two budget years but health advocates say that could force thousands of seniors into skilled nursing facilities in the middle of a pandemic.

The novel coronavirus has raced through nursing homes with devastating speed. More than 4,800 California skilled nursing facility residents have contracted COVID-19, and nearly 850 have died as of May 19, according to California Department of Public Health data.

You might as well have them walk the plank, said Barbara Porter, site director for the Multipurpose Senior Services Program in Contra Costa county, which serves 160 seniors, including Linda Jacobs.

Porter and other local program staffers say they were blindsided by the proposed budget cuts from a governor who last year called for a new state master plan for aging by this October. Porter said the MSSP program costs no more than $5,000 per client per year, compared to the roughly $40,600 per year that Medi-Cal would pay for a typical patient to live in a skilled nursing facility, though costs can be significantly higher.

Everyones in a state of shock about this, Porter said. What our program costs is budget dust, but it totally saves so many (seniors) from premature hospitalization and an institutional, end-of-life nursing environment.

California, like other states, has long experimented with state-subsidized programs that offer social services and health care coordination to keep seniors independent and living in their communities, rather than institutions. The senior health programs now slated for elimination also faced the ax more than a decade ago amid budget cuts during the Great Recession. But consumer advocates filed a federal class action lawsuit against California to restore them and won in 2011, with some changes to the programs.

Its too soon to know whether another lawsuit will be filed, said Debbie Toth, president and CEO of Choice in Aging, a nonprofit that offers adult day health services to 320 seniors in Contra Costa, Napa and Solano counties. She and other program leaders had to quickly pivot at the beginning of the pandemic to provide services remotely to seniors who once had shown up daily at the centers. They then had to close following the states stay-at-home order.

If Californias senior budget cuts take effect, Choice in Aging would lose about 80 percent of our programs and services, Toth said. It would devastate our organization thats been around for 70 years. At least 15 people could lose their jobs, Toth said, along with hundreds of other social workers, nurses, occupational therapists and physical therapists at the many adult day health programs across the state.

Advocates for the programs say keeping seniors out of nursing homes is better for their well-being and more cost-effective than institutionalizing them.

But Californias adult day health program also has drawn scrutiny from federal officials. A Health and Human Services Inspector Generals report released in September found that the state needed to more closely monitor the adult day program sites. The report noted that 23 of 24 sites where it conducted unannounced inspections had violations including improper storage of patient medicines, poor record keeping, and even in a few cases rodent and bug droppings. California officials, in response to the audit, agreed with the findings and said they had stepped up inspections and training for program staff.

Maryam Davis said she has no idea what shell do if her 86-year-old mother, Nosrat Akbari, can no longer attend her adult day health center in Walnut Creek. Akbari lives in a low-income senior community in the city, where many residents boarded a daily bus to the program run by Choice in Aging before the pandemic.

Davis, who lives in Los Angeles, said the programs social workers gave her mother an emergency alert button on a necklace that may have saved her life when she fell late last year in her bathroom, breaking numerous bones.

After Akbari was able to return to her apartment after a hospital stay, the program helped her obtain a hospital bed, a walker and other equipment she needed to recover at home, Davis said. Davis sister, who lives in the area, had cared for their mother until her health worsened.

Shes one of the sweetest grandmas but she has so many medical issues, and my sister couldnt be there 24/7, Davis said. I was shocked, saddened and really concerned that they may cut this program, said Davis. It has given my mother dignity. She has so much life in her.

Linda Jacobs, the 71-year-old Concord woman, also fears for her future. Her daughter is disabled and her sons dont live in the area, so they cant provide the help she needs, she said.

The last thing I want to do is be in a nursing home, especially with the virus, Jacobs said. I worked hard all my life, and now Im in a position where I really rely on other people, and thats not the easiest thing for me.

My social workers have helped me out greatly. Theyve been really, really kind to me. If I lose that, I dont know what Im going to do.

CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

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'Might as well have them walk the plank' Cuts may force many seniors into nursing homes - ABC10.com KXTV

The Chesapeake at Sawgrass North Exterior

Tidewater Landing Clubhouse Interior

Rehoboth Beach, DE, May 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Friday, May 15th, members of the Schell Brothers team logged on to their personal laptops and gathered for an unconventional congregation of home builders at the 28th Annual Regal Awards Ceremony. This ceremony, hosted by the Home Builders Association of Delaware, honored builders across the state of Delaware with accolades for their achievements in the home building industry. Submissions are analyzed and scored by experts in categories such as sales, craftmanship and design.

Despite the lack of in-person socializing, the Schell team made the best of this years Virtual Regal Awards. At the end of the night, they logged off of Zoom with an impressive list of well-deserved honors from another year of hard work and dedication.

From their in-house produced magazine, At Home, to their award-winning floor plan, The Chesapeake, the Schell Brothers team snagged a wide array of awards.

The Schell Sales team did a phenomenal job at this years Awards, bringing in 28 individual Community Sales awards for outstanding sales performance in the new home building industry. The sales teams hard work has contributed to the success of the many Schell communities.

Schell won the following awards at this years Regals:

Schell Brothers won the following Home Building awards:

Best Interior Merchandising of a Clubhouse 75+ Homes: Tidewater Landing Clubhouse

Best Exterior Merchandising of a Clubhouse 75+ Homes: Tidewater Landing Clubhouse

Best Kitchen Design of Custom Home: Echelon Homes, The Farmhouse

Best Luxury Home 75+ Homes: The Chesapeake at Sawgrass North

Best Active Adult Community Home: The Newport at Independence

Schell Brothers won the following Marketing awards:

Best Print Ad for a Builder 75+ Homes: Home Reimagined

Best Post Card or Direct Mail Piece: At Home Magazine

Best Social Campaign: Project Kudos

Best Email Blast 75+ Homes: Home Reimagined

Best Commercial or Video 75+ Homes: Home Reimagined

Best Event or Promotion 75+ Homes: Kindness Rocks

Best Image Campaign 75+ Homes: Home Reimagined

Best Overall Marketing

Schell Brothers won the following individual awards:

Project Manager of the Year: Joe Yurisic

Marketing Director of the Year: Alyssa Titus

Sales Person of the Year: Joe Wobeter

Members of the Schell Brothers team won the following Sales awards:

Diamond

Adam Pettengell

Joe Wobeter

Tyler Brock

Josh Hay

Grace Reardon

Jeff Crocket

Platinum

Josh Stone

Natalie Sweeney

Vicki Wilkins

Kathryn Hanlon

Frank Ryan

Gold

Amanda Ritter

Mollie Stevenson

Austin Oswinkle

Melissa ONeill

Tiffany Raebuer

Nikki Southard

Jay Hauck

Tyler Teed

Josh Hoinowski

Silver

Alli Perry

Rosemary Wehberg

Carole Britain

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Home Builders Association of Delaware Honors Schell Brothers with Numerous Regal Awards - GlobeNewswire

Summerhill Prestige Real Estate Ltd.

5123 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, Ont.

Asking price: $3.1-million

Selling price: $2.7-million

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Previous selling price: $2,030,493 (2013)

Taxes: $18,920 (2019)

Days on the market: 27

Listing agents: Dina Maglietta and David Knox, Summerhill Prestige Real Estate Ltd.

The home's great room has a 20-foot ceiling, Palladian windows and a gas fireplace.

Summerhill Prestige Real Estate Ltd.

A couple of agents tried and failed to sell this custom home on a 100-by-143-foot lot before a new team took it on in mid-January. Judging that previous agents had priced the home too low, they set a more ambitious asking price.

A Facebook search shows the home was listed with an asking price of $2,998,000 in March, 2019. Later in the year, it was reduced to $2,888,000.

Sometimes you can be priced too low and you get the wrong buyers, agent David Knox said.

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Or its misrepresented by being priced too low because someone might assume its smaller or not as attractive. So we priced it to where we felt true market value was in representing the home, co-listing agent Dina Maglietta said

A chandelier hangs in the great room.

Summerhill Prestige Real Estate Ltd.

This two-storey house was built less than 10 years ago with a French chteau-inspired exterior, a triple garage and multiple entrances, including one from the backyard to the eat-in kitchen.

The main foyer separating the living and dining rooms features a 26-foot ceiling and a Scarlett OHara-style staircase to the four bedrooms upstairs.

The great room toward the rear of the house has a 20-foot ceiling, Palladian windows and a gas fireplace.

There is also a main floor den and a guest room containing one of five bathrooms.

The basement is unfinished with nine-foot ceilings and roughed-in heating.

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It was a builders personal home that he custom built, so he went above and beyond with the use of quality materials, Ms. Maglietta said.

[For instance], the master bedroom was huge with coffered ceilings, a limestone gas fireplace, a walk-in closet, a 10-piece ensuite spa-like bathroom and a double door entry.

Your house is your most valuable asset. We have a weekly Real Estate newsletter to help you stay on top of news on the housing market, mortgages, the latest closings and more. Sign up today.

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Price hike leads to sale of builders Burlington home - The Globe and Mail

A home office for children has become a common request for architects, builders, and interior designers as children practice distance learning during the coronavirus. Here, a sunlit space, designed by Wadia Associates in New Canaan, features two desks and chairs, plenty of storage, bookshelves, and a gorgeous stained glass window, creating the perfect environment in which to work.

A home office for children has become a common request for architects, builders, and interior designers as children practice distance learning during the coronavirus. Here, a sunlit space, designed by

A home office for children has become a common request for architects, builders, and interior designers as children practice distance learning during the coronavirus. Here, a sunlit space, designed by Wadia Associates in New Canaan, features two desks and chairs, plenty of storage, bookshelves, and a gorgeous stained glass window, creating the perfect environment in which to work.

A home office for children has become a common request for architects, builders, and interior designers as children practice distance learning during the coronavirus. Here, a sunlit space, designed by

Theres no place like home: Design and build during the age of the coronavirus

Members of the interior design and home building industry have found it necessary to adapt to changing, evolving economies over the years. From bull markets and bear markets to recessions and post-9/11, this group of professionals has had to think creatively in order to persevere.

Now, the virulent novel coronavirus, dubbed Covid-19, has brought the entire world to a screeching halt and has radically affected the way we live, work, play, and learn, and will continue to do so for a long time to come. As various parts of the country begin to reopen, the virus is influencing the creative process. It can no longer be business as usual in this environment. Architects, interior designers, home builders, and contractors are having to think outside the box when interacting with clients, meeting with subcontractors, and presenting and installing projects.

Our vendors have offered to show their fabric lines to us virtually. They show us all the new fabrics over the computer, and then we order samples, says Jan Hiltz, an interior designer with more than 25 years experience and the owner of Westport-based Jan Hiltz Interiors. It works for me; Ive been doing this (type of work) for so long, Ive found that where theres a will, theres a way.

Were in the midst of preparing for our first Zoom presentation, adds Christine Hiltz, Jan Hiltzs daughter-in-law and an interior designer in the firm.

For some firms, virtual presentations will be the preferred procedure, at least for a few weeks or months, or longer. The virus is going to be guiding the way we do business until we get a vaccine. Things will evolve slowly, says Dinyar Wadia, principal of Wadia Associates, an award-winning architectural and interior design firm based in New Canaan. I dont think this thing is going to go away for a while. We just have to adapt.

Programs such as Zoom have been a blessing to some, like Wadia, who has noticed an unintended benefit to using the online platform: It is easier to gauge a clients or prospective clients immediate reaction to sour proposals, whereas during in-person meetings, it is rude to stare so you might miss subtle physiological responses or cues, he explains.

While some designers are choosing the practice of designing at a distance, others are bravely plunging into the fray. Wadia and Jan and Christine Hiltz are doing both, depending on the level of each clients comfort. Designers conducting in-person consultations and presentations, however, have had to arm themselves, in addition to the usual tools of color wheel, fabric swatches, and measuring tape, with masks, gloves, protective booties, and disinfectant.

Wadia notes that he is also foregoing handshakes. Although he has tested negative for Covid-19, he takes precautions to avoid exposure and prevent him from bringing the virus home to his wife, he says.

Marsha Matto, principal and head designer of Point of View Interiors in Sandy Hook, says she still conducts some in-person meetings, although they are anything but ordinary. For a recent meeting at a plumbing supply store, for example, Matto says she was required to arrive after regular business hours, wear a mask and gloves, have her temperature taken, and sign a waiver disavowing the company of any responsibility if she contracted the virus there. Business just cant happen the same way anymore, at least not for now, Matto says.

She admits, Its been difficult. And not just because some clients have put projects on hold and because of social distancing guidelines, but also because of disruptions in the supply chain. Upholsterers might still be working with a crew, albeit smaller, but theyre not able to get the cushion fillings or frames, all requisite pieces and parts that go into creating custom furniture, says Matto, who has more than 20 years of experience in high-end residential and commercial design, and who also serves as chair of the Interior Design Department at the University of Bridgeport.

The New York company she hired to pick up and deliver a furniture order in New Jersey for one of her commercial clients in Connecticut had to decline when that business was deemed nonessential, leaving Matto scrambling to arrange transport herself at a higher cost. Instead of a simple delivery and installation, it turned into a nightmare, she recalls. Frustration sets in from time to time but most people are understanding.

Robert Berger, a Westport-based architect and builder, notes that many of his clients want renovations that relate directly to the coronavirus. Homeowners are requesting that we install hands-free sinks, operated by foot pedals or a motion sensor, or a second desk or office space, ideally enclosed, as parents are working from home, and their children are distance learning, he states. Everyone is thinking about how they will be living in their homes during the age of the coronavirus, and beyond.

Washers and dryers located inside the homes point of first contact (such as in a mudroom), so residents can remove and wash their clothes as soon as they come in, are also on the wish lists of todays homeowners. Eventually, I predict well be installing exterior entry doorway panels in front of which people can wave a key and the door will open, eliminating any need to touch a doorknob, Berger explains.

Hard surfaces tend to be easier to keep clean, and design professionals are specifying materials such as stainless steel, which can be cleaned with ammonia- and alcohol-based products (brass and other metals with lacquer finishes cannot), and countertops made from quartz or other hard materials, according to Berger. Some cabinet manufacturers already carry cabinets that can be opened and closed with either wave in front of the door or a single finger push opening, he says, and I think more clients will be requesting options like these now and in the future.

Some people may think redecorating a house in the midst of a global medical pandemic is frivolous but Jan Hiltz says her work has not decreased. In fact, she has a five-month waiting list, perhaps because people are spending even more time at home than usual and who knows for how long and they want their living environments to be beautiful, and to feel safe. Now, home has become a real sanctuary, Jan Hiltz states.

She reports that her company has already received several requests for outdoor projects. Many of her clients want to install in-ground swimming pools because they dont want to go to public facilities anymore, and they also want more backyard amenities that will allow them to invite friends over while still safely socially distancing.

Life goes on, and it brings joy to people even to just consider the promise of decorating, bringing new ideas into their home, and bringing sunshine and brightness to their home, she says.

One of her clients sums it up this way: We really need this.

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There's no place like home: Design and build during the age of the coronavirus - Trumbull Times

Reality star Kameron Westcott is making moves. The Real Housewives of Dallas cast member recently put her Highland Park mansion on the market for $5,125,000.

While the price is steep, the property is massive. The 7,409-square-foot home sits on a quarter-acre of land. Designed by D Best-winning home builder George Lewis, the homes faade includes an arched front door, double balcony, and Mediterranean details, complemented by impeccably pruned landscaping.

When designing their home, the Westcotts were inspired by Kamerons Santa Barbara upbringing. [Theres a] fresh, airy, and seamless flow from indoor to outdoor living in the residence, says listing agent Kelli Macatee. Even the palm trees and cypress trees bring in a little hint of the beauty of California. Her husband Court grew up going to Santa Barbara, so they share that love and its expressed in every detail of the home.

Kamerons infamous penchant for pink is incorporated as well, though more subtly than I had expected. The kitchen is stark white, from the Carrara marble to the custom cabinetry. Her signature hue makes an appearance in the adjoining breakfast nooks abstract artwork and upholstered chairs. The dining room features neutral furniture and dark-toned still lifes, though a neon pink sign bathes the space in rosy light. The home theater has a black and red palette, but when the lights are flipped on, the room is illuminated by glittering pink sconces.

The study, on the other hand, is brazenly feminine. From the bubblegum walls to the pink zebra print chairs and gold starburst chandelier, its clear that this room is Kamerons personal retreat.

The home is full of surprises, like an elevator, a wine cellar, a game room, and a hidden room attached to the study. The backyard was made for entertaining, with multiple seating arrangements for dining al fresco, overhead fans, and an invisible screen. The pool is shaded by trees and decorated with natural stone, and the adjacent yard boasts a playhouse and slide.

Take a full tour of the Westcott home with our photo gallery below.

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Hot Property: Kameron Westcott's Glamorous Home in Highland Park - D Magazine

Nearly 100 years ago, local builder and artisan Frederick (Fritz) Ruppel tapped into his master craftsmanship to design a dream home for a very special clienthis mother, Gertrude. Nestled on a spacious, manicured lot in Pasadena, California, the 1925 Spanish Colonial Revival known today as The Ruppel House was recently put up for sale.

Frederick Ruppel was a local builder and artisan who helped restore the historic landmark Mission San Juan Capistrano. Ruppel originally built this one-level residence for his mother and later moved into the dwelling with his wife.

The 1,825-square-foot home is located close to the famous Arroyo Rose Bowl. Past trimmed hedges in the front yard, an expansive outdoor seating area offers a private corner to gather.

The 1,825-square-foot dwelling remains in pristine condition, blending original features with sensitive updates throughout the years. The heart of the home is a large living room that boasts beamed cathedral ceilings and opens to a courtyard and fountain. Arched doorways connect the interior spaces, while custom built-ins enhance the historic charm.

Upon arrival, an entryway leads into the home's main living room where a breathtaking beamed ceiling takes center stage.

In total, the house includes three bedrooms and two baths. The remodeled kitchen offers light blue cabinetry, adding a pop of color to the otherwise wood and terracotta tones. A private side patio is idyllic for a future herb garden. Scroll ahead to see more of the property, currently listed for $1,495,000.

A wood-burning fireplace anchors the living area, while French doors open to a courtyard.

Light blue cabinetry in the kitchen infuse a fresh aesthetic while providing an abundance of storage. All new appliances were also installed, including a double Viking range.

Another view of the kitchen. Additional cabinetry along the rear wall sit adjacent to a door leading outside.

Steps away from the kitchen is the formal dining room which includes original hardwood floors and beamed ceilings.

French doors in the master bedroom open to an additional private patio.

Custom cabinetry lines one of the walls in the master bath. Original tiles line the floors.

A closer look at the original tiled shower/tub in the master bath.

A peek at another one of the three bedrooms.

The other bathrooms also features original tile-work.

Thick landscaping surrounds the home, ensuring ample privacy while creating a city oasis.

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An Artist Handcrafted This Abode as a Thank You to His Mom Nearly One Hundred Years Ago - Dwell

New research indicates that infosec professionals are more concerned about their employers security than the security of their own home, with the vast majority saying recent data breaches in the business sector have increased their organizations focus on securing data.

Data security has become a nemesis for IT professionals. A patchwork approach, misconfigured services and confusion around new cloud security models has created a crisis of confidence among information security professionals. According to the Oracle and KPMG Cloud Threat Report 2020, this issue will only be fixed if businesses make security part of their culture.

Almost three quarters of organizations have or plan to hire a CISO with more cloud security skills, and over half of organizations have, in fact, added a new role called Business Information Security Officer (BISO) to collaborate with the CISO and help integrate security culture into the business.

Fear and trust issues experienced by IT professionals is echoed in a recent Bitdefender study showing half of security professionals in large organizations across the US, EMEA and APAC are literally losing sleep worrying about their organizational cybersecurity posture.

Asked if theyve ever been kept awake at night out of concern their company might get hacked, half of the respondents in our study answered sure without hesitation. Asked what causes the most stress in their role, 36% of CISOs cited a lack of cybersecurity understanding from general employees.

The KPMG report reveals these fears are not only ongoing, but that theyve mushroomed in recent months.The study found that IT professionals are more concerned about the security of their companys data than the security of their own home.

IT professionals are 3X more concerned about the security of company financials and intellectual property than their home security, the study says.

80 percent worry that the cloud service providers they deal with will become competitors in their core markets, highlighting IT professionals concerns that cloud service providers might steal their intellectual property. 75 percent of IT professionals also said they view the public cloud as more secure than their own data centers. However, 92 percent of IT professionals do not believe their organization is well prepared to secure public cloud services.

In another key finding, around 80 percent of IT professionals say that recent data breaches experienced by their competitors have increased their organizations focus on securing data.

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Infosec Professionals Are More Worried About Corporate Security than Their Own Home Security - Security Boulevard

Boca Raton-based home security provider ADTconducted a surveyof 1,001 Americans who consume true crime content.

True crime has taken over popular culture, evolving from a niche topic into one of our favorite entertainment and storytelling genres. But watching or listening to true crime stories or mysteries has entered our psyche, and as we become aware of the need to protect our families, our buying habits turn to security devices.

The survey showed that women are more likely to experience negative emotional consequences after consuming this type of content. Compared to men, women were more likely to worry about their family's safety (31.3%), their own safety (27.7%), and to feel anxious, scared, or paranoid (24.4%, 23%, and 22.2%, respectively) after reading, watching, or listening to true crime.

Yet women were almost twice as likely as men to consume true crime every day. The most popular formats included TV shows (87%), movies (75.4%), and books (43%). Less than 28% of people listened to true crime podcasts, which were more than twice as popular among millennials compared to baby boomers.

Over two out of three (69.1%) people in the US believed that the events portrayed in true crime content could happen to their own family. Over two in five (44.1%) check their locks at night, 16.4% carry pepper spray, and 15.6% go out in groups only.

The most popular home security additions chosen by respondents were surveillance cameras (which were installed by 10% more men than women), a doorbell camera, and a security system.

People enjoy being scared in situations they can control and are comforted by horror movies or TV shows -- even shows that are tense and unnerving. Knowing that these shows are not real can make horror stories entertaining and enjoyable.

Almost two out of three (57%) of people said that they preferred true crime content with actual footage or recordings, and nearly as many (56.9%) said footage or recordings made the content scarier.

Over two out of five (44.3%) reported taking a break from true crime content as they found it too overwhelming for them.

The survey showed that installing security cameras made people feel less scared about being home alone at night down from 44.5% to 23.2%. Occurrences of nightmares and hearing noises also reduced after installing security cameras.

Installing security cameras can be really simple. I installed an outdoor security camera in less than 20 minutes last week, and I am testing several more indoor cameras which have added to me feeling more secure.

If you need peace of mind, buy a low-cost security camera. Then you can watch all of the true-crime stories you want to without being overwhelmed.

I tried the Netvue 1080p Vigil security camera for external surveillance, and I was so impressed with it, I bought two more.

I tried the Netvue Orb 1080p security camera and was impressed by its indoor detection, remote control and two-way voice features.

Americans are being impacted by this fraud-filled crisis as bad actor activity escalates.

Although Americans worry about their devices being hacked, most are happy to share their passwords.

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Surveillance cameras are top home security feature installed after consuming true crime content - ZDNet

Several years ago, James Kerr frequently traveled for work and wanted his family to feel more secure in the home while he was away. So, the mechanical engineer sought security window coverings that would meet his needs.

Not impressed with much of what he saw on the market, Kerr played with the idea of creating a product himself when he came across a stainless steel screen material rated to handle hurricane weather. He developed concepts for frames that would secure the screens into the windows of stucco homes in Southern Nevada. This eventually led to him launching Las Vegas-based Boss Security Screens.

It has the look and feel of an ordinary solar screen, but once you touch it, you know theres no way to get in. We even guarantee that, he said.

Thanks to products like Kerrs, the window covering market has evolved through the years to offer better security with aesthetic appeal. The same can be said for security doors, shutters and other security coverings. Heres a look at why todays window and door coverings are considered a worthwhile upgrade for Southern Nevada homeowners.

Weighing the investment

Boss Security Screens are engineered to securely mount to the outside of all types of window frames of stucco homes. They also have an ADA-compliant hinge requiring only 5 pounds of pressure to push the screen open from the inside, if needed. The dense weave screen also reduces solar energy by 65 percent to help save on cooling bills, while also offering plenty of airflow and visible light for those perfect spring or fall days when a homeowner wants to crack open a window or the front door.

Available for sliders and French doors as well, each piece is custom-made for a clients home. Larger windows cost around $1,000 each, and sliders and French doors may cost around $2,500 or $3,000, Kerr said.

A standard bug screen may only cost around $100, but dense security mesh products are really part of an entirely different conversation. Theyre made with much higher-grade materials and are engineered to withstand someone trying to cut or smash their way through them, so you should expect to pay quite a bit more.

Melissa Roche Amos, the owner of the local interior design firm Parlor 430, said about 25 percent of her clients request window and door coverings. One of the reasons she happily suggests them is the positive effect on property values.

The one thing thats important to me is increasing the value of the home, and these are features that absolutely do that, she said.

Wrought iron or screened security entry doors are the most popular first step to adding security and enhancing value, she said.

Its something a lot of people want. They may not think oh I want that fancy front door when they visit a home, but once they see one in place, they want it, she added. The great thing is that you can get one thats beautiful, modern, inexpensive and super stylish.

Prices can range from a few hundred dollars at a big box retailer up to several thousand dollars for a custom-made installed wrought-iron security door. Regardless of the amount you spend, the designer says its important to not over-personalize it. Keep designs simple and sleek for resale value.

Other window coverings

Roche Amos said screens often leave a home a little darker. To some, however, thats a selling point because it helps a home stay cooler during hot summer months. If a client likes screens but wants a little more light, the interior designer uses a low-energy bright bulb, such as a 4000k bulb you can find at a hardware store.

She suggests rolling shutters for clients who like control over natural lighting. Many will leave the shutters closed during the day in the summertime but open them up to watch sunsets or to enjoy scenery during cooler hours of the day.

Motorized options will cost more, she said, and you can expect to pay several hundred dollars to more than $1,000 for a window rolling shutter. If you like certain screen or rolling shutter options, but they are a little too expensive, the designer offers a good compromise.

You can put them on the east- and west-facing windows, not the north and south secondary windows where youre not getting direct light, she said.

Security window film

Security window film also has grown in popularity. Richard Miller, owner of Green Valley Tint &Graphics, one of the largest installers of security film in the country, has experienced a business boom as homeowners worry about increases in home break-ins, some of which are the result of a growing opioid epidemic, he said.

In business since the mid-1980s and with installations on more than 11,000 valley homes, his company sells both 3M and Armorcoat security films that can withstand the force of stacked stone. They also are used in a number of commercial situations such as offices, schools and retail outlets prone to robberies.

People are turning to security film because they dont want people getting into their homes, he said, and it doesnt interfere with the view and doesnt make the place look like a prison.

Security film also is reasonably priced. Most films range between $8 and $12 a square foot, Miller said, while ceramic blends can cost from $16 to $24 per square foot. Some keep out more than 95 percent of a windows solar gain, too.

Miller admits his tints are just part of the solution when it comes to a homes overall security. He suggests security doors on patios and the front door, camera systems, video doorbells and other measures for clients.

He offers one cautionary note when seeking a reputable window film installer. When it comes to applying films to sliding and French doors, some companies overlook the need to adhere the film to the frame to keep the glass in place if an intruder tries to break in. Its a commonly overlooked detail that can be the difference between someone gaining access to the home or not, he said.

With these installations, its not as easy as some think. You have to know what youre doing, he added. There are a lot of guys who get into this business only to realize theres a lot they dont know and they get out. Make sure you go with a reputable vendor.

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Home security starts with windows and doors - Las Vegas Review-Journal

An employee of Boca Raton-based ADT Security Services had access to streaming security camera footage from inside homes of hundreds of the company's customers, according to a federal lawsuit filed Monday, May 18, 2020.

(Joe Cavaretta/Sun Sentinel)

At least 220 Dallas-Fort Worth families were spied on in their homes by an ADT employee who hacked home security cameras in the area, according to the security company.

Two class-action federal lawsuits were filed Monday against ADT, which is one of the largest security companies in the country. One suit was filed on behalf of ADT customers and the other represents those who were spied on in those customers homes.

In April, aDFW customer discovered an unknown person had access to their ADT security camera. After an investigation, ADT found an employee had access to hundreds of customers accounts and had been watching people in their homes for seven years, according to the lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Florida, where the company is based.

I am just horrified that a company that holds itself as the number one security option allowed this to happen, attorney Amy Carter said. They gave access to someones home when they were seeking additional security.

In a statement, ADT said the company reported to police in April that an employee gained access to 220 accounts in the Dallas area. A spokesman said the company put measures in place to prevent this from happening again, but did not expand on what those measures were. The employee has since been fired.

We deeply regret what happened to the 220 customers affected by this incident and have contacted them to help resolve their concerns, the statement said. We are supporting law enforcements investigation of the former employee and are committed to helping bring justice to those impacted by his improper actions.

In late April, ADT started to contact customers and tell them what happened. The company offered confidentially agreements to customers in exchange for monetary payments, according to the lawsuit.

One of those customers was DFW resident Shana Doty, the plaintiff in the first lawsuit.

ADT told Doty over the phone that the technician who worked on her indoor security camera system had granted himself remote access and had spied on her, her husband and her minor son an unknown amount of times, according to the lawsuit. Based on the position of the wide-angle camera, the technician would have been able to see the family members in their bedrooms in all of their private moments.

Other customers got the same call. One worked for Homeland Security and had a teenage daughter, who had also been viewed on the camera. Another was a mother who found out she and her daughter had been spied upon in the nude and their most private moments, Carter said.

Carter said they do not know where all the affected customers live, but they believe most of them are in the DFW area, south of Interstate 30. That area includes Fort Worth, Dallas and Arlington. Carter said they believe up to 400 households could have been hacked.

Flawed security system

The technician was able to give himself access to peoples cameras and homes because ADT did not set up simple security protections, Carter said.

The technician would add his email onto customers accounts in the ADT Pulse app when he installed or did work on a camera, the suit said. ADT did not have a dual security system in place to notify customers when an email was added. The technician was not only able to spy on households in real time, but he was also able to review previous footage, download clips and upload them to the internet, according to the lawsuit.

This was the system and policy they had set up nationwide, fellow attorney Matthew McCarley said. We dont feel very confident at all this hasnt happened elsewhere.

ADT serves 7.2 million residential and business customersin the U.S. and Canada, according to the companys website.

Carter said the FBI is investigating the employee, who was identified as Telesforo Aviles in the lawsuit. DeSoto police were also involved in the investigation, she said.

The lawsuit is asking for more than $5 million in compensation.

McCarley said ADT customers should verify who has access to their cameras and double check no one else has email access or permission to view footage.

We hope that based on the facts of the case that ADT will take this seriously and get this resolved as soon as possible, McCarley said. Because a lot of people have been hurt. The invasion of someones privacy you cant get that back.

2020 the Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Visit the Fort Worth Star-Telegram atwww.star-telegram.com

Distributed byTribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Former ADT employee spied on hundreds of Dallas area families for 7 years, company says - SecurityInfoWatch