A resource for those seeking information on organizing and transforming spaces.
Product Review - Wireless Alarm Kit
Security systems are one of those weird things you don’t know if you need or not. And even if you feel you should have one, they seem expensive, complicated and necessitate a monthly commitment. However, recent advancements in technology have led to a rise in do it yourself alarm systems.
Security systems are one of those weird things you don’t know if you need or not. And even if you feel you should have one, they seem expensive, complicated and necessitate a monthly commitment. However, recent advancements in technology have led to a rise in do it yourself alarm systems. Some new products use your smartphone to monitor your home with real time video while others offer basic services. Sabre’s Wireless Alarm Kit is a popular option for those looking for a simple DIY solution. The alarm offers three modes Off, Chime or Alarm. Chime mode allows you to hear the kids come home or more importantly if they are sneaking out. Be aware the alarm decibel level is loud. I mention this to advise caution when setting up and operating. If you have never had an alarm system before it can take some getting used to the new habit.
The kit comes with a main unit and three door/window sensors. The battery powered sensors easily stick to windows and door (with adhesive similar to those found in baby safety items so be aware of the paint finish). Unlike wired systems because of the battery power you will need to pay attention to the low battery light. The main unit uses a 4-digit PIN to arm and turn off. As with anything that affects the whole house make sure every family member is aware and on board especially if you have never had an alarm before. Additional information about alarms can be found here and here.
Guest Post - Trouble tossing your old things? Blame the Endowment Effect
It’s summertime. Your family has chosen today to finally tackle that mountain of stuff that’s been slowly filling the garage over the years. The work starts smoothly enough - no one wants to hang on to old bank statements. But then you notice something happening. You’ve started reasoning why you should keep clothing that you haven’t worn in years because, seriously, who wears Hammer Pants anymore? Your son bursts into tears because you tossed his water wings despite that fact that he’s now on the swim team. Your daughter loudly demands her teeball set back; the one that broke after she started on her path to the All State player she is today.
It’s summertime. Your family has chosen today to finally tackle that mountain of stuff that’s been slowly filling the garage over the years. The work starts smoothly enough - no one wants to hang on to old bank statements. But then you notice something happening. You’ve started reasoning why you should keep clothing that you haven’t worn in years because, seriously, who wears Hammer Pants anymore? Your son bursts into tears because you tossed his water wings despite that fact that he’s now on the swim team. Your daughter loudly demands her teeball set back; the one that broke after she started on her path to the All State player she is today.
What’s going on? Why is it so hard to part with things no one’s used in years?
Blame the Endowment Effect.
The Endowment Effect, coined in 1980 by economist Richard Thaler, is the act of ascribing greater value to something by virtue of you owning it. Here’s the gist: you could dump your neighbor’s old clothes in a donation box and never look back. But yours? You’re already breaking a sweat thinking about parting with these pants you haven’t looked at since people listened to cassette tapes. That’s the Endowment Effect at work.
The effect has evolved over time, originally pinned on a person’s innate aversion to loss, a sort of “I’ll miss it when it’s gone” idea. More recently, however, researchers have looked more closely and discovered that our attachment is due more to a perceived link between the object and the self. In other words, “I own this, it’s part of me, and therefore it must be good.” Indeed, sometimes simply touching the object can trigger enough of a sense of ownership to get the Endowment Effect going.
Looking deeper, researchers found that the link becomes stronger the longer you own the object, meaning those Soviet-era pants in your hand may need their own coup before they can break free.
So we’ve established the cause. But your mission today is to clean the garage of things you objectively know that you can do without. What techniques can you use to do an end run around human nature and convert that cluttered space into the cavern of tidiness that you want?
Here are some ideas:
- Keep only the items that spark joy. By now you’ve heard about Marie Kondo and her decluttering cleanup method. Pick up each item in your pile - yes, you’ll have to touch it - and decide if it’s really something that’s a joy to have around. If not, it’ll be easier to part with.
- Do you say yes when you ask yourself if you really need something? Try asking yourself a different question instead. Imagine you’re seeing this item for the first time and ask yourself how much effort you’d really put into acquiring it now. If going to the store or even to Amazon is too much, then it’s a good bet you can toss it.
- Find out the real value and see if you’d pay it. This can really help you gauge how much you value that item. Go to Amazon, eBay, or Bonanza and find it or something similar. Would you spend what it’s worth to get it? If you don’t think you’d buy it, try selling it!
Cleaning out your own stuff doesn’t have to be a relentless fight against yourself. A simple change of perspective may be all it takes for you to give yourself the space you need.
Ben Oatis is a freelance writer based in Connecticut with over 10 years of experience as a technical writer for global tech companies. In addition to writing about technology, he also covers politics, lifestyle, and health and nutrition. He can be reached at boatiswrites@gmail.com.
Interview - Inna Agujen
When we saw how Inna was allowing clients to visually their future space virtually we had to know more.
When we saw how Inna was allowing clients to visualiz their future space virtually, we had to know more.
Tell us a little about your background before you were a realtor?
My background was in Animated and Feature films creating visual effects and 3D environments. I worked for Blue Sky studios, a subsidiary of 20th Century Fox. My position was Senior Technical Director. Before Blue Sky, I worked for FX Boutique in NYC creating commercials and animations.
You have an interesting service you offer your clients when they want to look at house, what can you tell us about it?
Yes, I am one of the partners in a company which manages the marketing side of my listings. Procyon 7 LLC. One of the services we offer is 3D scans of homes for sale that allow potential buyers the ability to view online and in VR using glasses like google Cardboard to better visualize their possible future.
We also create 3D renders of houses to-be-built from architectural plans. Then we create VR, videos of 3D renders so that house can be viewed even before it is build. Everything is put together online for potential buyer to see. So all of my properties get its own website with all of this content.
What is the most interesting or fun home VR experience you have had?
I think the most interesting VR project I did wasn't for my listing, but for the Westport/Weston Y. Since a 3D scan needs to be done when a building is empty, it was challenging. The YMCA is always full of people from 5am to 10pm. I had to be there at 4 am in the morning before opening and it was kind of surreal experience to be in this huge open space alone.
Can clients view the designs remotely? Do they need a headset?
Yes. Headsets are so inexpensive nowadays especially Gcardboard. You can actually make one yourself with cardboard or buy one on amazon for 5$ then put your phone sideways and you are now emerged into VR experience.
What have you noticed is the reaction people have to the VR?
Inna Agujen Realtor Virtual Design
People have an amazing response to VR and it makes my job of showing houses a lot easier. I can highlight the areas that we want buyers to see and not miss. When you show a house in person you can sometimes miss awesome features. Also, people tend to like playing with this interactive tours especially with doll-house view which is called that for a good reason, it literally makes house look like a dollhouse that you can spin and see any room from any angle.
3D Rendering & Virtual Staging
Interview - CarePatrol
Recently, many of our clients are dealing with aging parents and after speaking with Paul at CarePatrol we thought this service might be helpful.
Recently, many of our clients have been dealing with aging parents and after speaking with Paul at CarePatrol we thought this service might be helpful.
What is Care Patrol?
Care Patrol is a free Senior Placement Agency. We help families find Assisted Living, Memory Care Communities and Nursing Homes.
We service Fairfield, New Haven and Litchfield Counties in CT. As well as Westchester, Putnam and Duchess Counties in NY.
We are not merely a web referral service. We accompany families on "community tours" to alleviate the sales pressure and to insure that you ask the right questions. We understand the process can be overwhelming and something most people have never done before and our clients are often relieved when we ask questions they didn't know to ask, especially when it comes to lease agreements.
If someone wants your help, how do they start?
A phone call or email to CarePatrol is all it takes to get started.
CT Office Phone: 203.244.9562 (located in Westport Ct.)
NY Office Phone: 914.357.8084
OR
How much do you charge?
As mentioned there is no charge for our services. We are compensated by our referral network providers.
Do you help all seniors, despite the level of care needed?
We can help all seniors in advising them of the options available associated with assisted living arrangements. There are many pieces at work including medical, social and financial. In a case in which the financial resources might not be available for certain facilities we still help people with the next steps that are right for them.
What happens cases in which an older adult doesn't have family members near by?
We will assist, advise and coordinate with family members who are located remotely. We do all the leg work to educate the family on all the options.
In your experience what are the biggest challenges facing older adults?
Over the years, I feel the biggest challenge for older adults is the difficult task of locating safe and appropriate assisted living that meets their individual requirements.
