Popular Video Doorbells Have Major Security Flaws

 

Your trendy video doorbell could invite more than just guests, according to Consumer Reports.

A popular type of video doorbell has major security flaws that can allow hackers to spy on homeowners who use the technology, according to recent testing by Consumer Reports.

Test engineers at the publication were able to hack doorbells made by the manufacturer Eken and sold under various brands. They also found issues with doorbells sold under the brand Tuck.

In addition, the doorbells do not have a visible ID issued by the Federal Communications Commission. Technically, that makes it illegal to distribute them in the U.S., according to CR.

Thousands of this brand of video doorbell are sold each month at Amazon, Walmart, Shein, Temu and other marketplaces, CR says.

Eken has responded to CR’s findings by saying it will add the ID, which will be available on new doorbells within about a month. It also said it was addressing CR’s other findings.

CR says it also reached out to Tuck and Amazon but did not receive a response.

However, CR is sounding a warning about the products, saying they are “just a drop in the flood of cheap, insecure electronics from Chinese manufacturers being sold in the U.S.”

In the article about the findings, Justin Brookman, director of technology policy for CR, says:

“Big e-commerce platforms like Amazon need to take more responsibility for the harms generated by the products they sell. There is more they could be doing to vet sellers and respond to complaints. Instead, it seems like they’re coasting on their reputation and saddling unknowing consumers with broken products.”

If you are worried about your video doorbell’s security status, CR recommends disconnecting it from your home Wi-Fi and removing it from your door. CR says other video doorbells offer “much better security,” including those sold under the following brands:

• Logitech
• SimpliSafe
• Ring

BY: Chris Kissell

Original Post

The 20-5-3 Nature Prescription: How Much Time Should You Be Outside?

 

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

• The 20-5-3 nature prescription describes how much time you spend outdoors to be happy and healthy
• At the bottom of the pyramid is 20 minutes: This is the amount of time you should aim to spend outdoors three times a week to boost memory, cognitive function and well-being
• The next part of the 20-5-3 rule refers to five hours — the length of time you strive to spend in semi-wild nature each month
• The final part of the 20-5-3 nature prescription describes three days — the number you should spend every year in remote areas of the natural world
• Spending time outdoors may put your brain into “soft fascination” mode, which has meditation-like benefits

It’s no secret that spending time in nature is good for your mind and body. Humans are designed to be connected to their natural environment, and when this connection is severed, as is so common in the modern world, physical, emotional and mental health suffers.

I’ve long recommended spending time outdoors daily to reap the benefits of sensible sun exposure. But even beyond sunlight, the natural world offers a place for humans to destress and connect in ways that don’t occur inside of four walls.

Michael Easter, professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and author of "The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self," described his time spent in the Alaskan wilderness as "transcendent."1 Yet, Americans may spend up to 92% of their time inside,2 missing out on key benefits.

Still, the advice to "spend time outdoors" is ambiguous, leaving many to wonder how much time in nature is necessary for optimal health and well-being. The 20-5-3 nature pyramid may provide some clarity.

20 Minutes in Nature, Three Times a Week

Rachel Hopman, Ph.D., a neuroscientist at Northeastern University, told Easter about the nature pyramid — a simple guideline for the amount of time you should spend in nature. At the bottom of the pyramid is 20 minutes. This is the amount of time you should aim to spend outdoors three times a week to boost memory, cognitive function and well-being.3 It may also lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

It’s important to note that walking while using a cellphone did not lead to the same beneficial effects. However, simply going for a walk outside may put your brain into "soft fascination" mode, which has meditation-like benefits. Easter wrote:

"In nature, our brains enter a mode called 'soft fascination.' Hopman described it as a mindfulness-like state that restores and builds the resources you need to think, create, process information, and execute tasks. It’s mindfulness without the meditation.

A short daily nature walk — or even a walk down a tree-lined street — is a great option for people who aren’t keen on sitting and focusing on their breath. But turn off your phone — alerts from it can kick you out of soft-fascination mode."

Other research by Hopman and colleagues found spending time in natural environments, like parks or forests, can make you feel better and think clearer. When you focus on something, your brain uses up energy, like a battery running out of power. But nature is different — it gives your brain a break because you don't have to try so hard to pay attention to it. Hopman’s study looked at brain waves of 29 people before, during and after spending time in nature.5

They found that a specific type of brain wave, called posterior alpha power, was lower when people were in nature compared to when they were not. This suggests that changes in this brain wave might help explain how being in nature affects our brains.

Five Hours in Semi-Wild Nature Each Month

The next part of the 20-5-3 rule refers to five hours — the length of time you strive to spend in semi-wild nature each month. It’s not only the hours spent that are important but also the environment. Look for a natural area such as a state park, which gives you access to a wilder space — more so than you’d find in your average city park.

Part of the relaxation humans feel when immersed in nature may come from viewing fractals. "Fractals are patterns that repeat at increasingly fine sizes and so create shapes of rich visual complexity. Prevalent in nature, clouds, trees and mountains are common examples, as are cauliflowers and fern leaves," according to research published in Urban Science.6

Fractals are like repeating patterns, but they look a bit different each time they repeat. Most studies on how people react to fractals have used ones that mimic the patterns we see in nature, rather than ones that repeat exactly at different sizes. Researchers wondered: Do we feel better because of any kind of fractal, or specifically because of the ones found in nature?

To find out, a study looked at both types of fractals — the ones that mimic nature and the ones that repeat exactly — and gradually changed one into the other.7 They showed these patterns to 35 people while measuring their brain activity. The results revealed that people responded differently to the two types of fractals — and the ones that looked like natural patterns were better at helping people feel relaxed and focused.

"Cities don’t have fractals," Hopman told Easter. "Imagine a typical building. It’s usually flat, with right angles. It’s painted some dull color."

Three Days in the Wild Every Year

The final part of the 20-5-3 nature prescription describes three days — the number you should spend every year in remote areas of the natural world. Easter explains:9

"This is the top of the pyramid. Three is the number of days you should spend each year off the grid in nature, camping or renting a cabin (with friends or solo). Think: places characterized by spotty cell reception and wild animals, away from the hustle and bustle.

This dose of the wildest nature is sort of like an extended meditation retreat … It causes your brain to ride alpha waves, the same waves that increase during meditation or when you lapse into a flow state. They can reset your thinking, boost creativity, tame burnout, and just make you feel better."

Indeed, after a week spent river-rafting, the participants in one study reported an average 29% decrease in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and a 21% decrease in general stress, along with improvements in social relationships, life satisfaction and happiness.10,11 The researchers attributed the benefits to the feelings of awe experienced when in the natural world. Easter described similar emotions after time spent in the wild:12

"I experienced savage weather, crossed raging rivers, and faced a half-ton grizzly. My brain was feeling less hunkered down in its typical foxhole — a state I’d compare to that of a roadrunner on meth, dementedly zooming from one thing to the next. My mind felt more like it belonged to a monk after a month at a meditation retreat. I just felt … better.

The biologist E.O. Wilson put what I was feeling this way: 'Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive, and even spiritual satisfaction.'"

Not Enough Time in Nature Poses Health Risks

Urbanized lifestyles, characterized by limited access to natural spaces, extensive screen time and heightened work and academic pressures, contribute to an increase in nature deficits. This trend results in a reduction in outdoor leisure time and a greater amount of time spent indoors.

Journalist Richard Louv, in his book "Last Child in the Woods," coined the term "nature deficit disorder" to describe this phenomenon.13 Although not a formal psychological diagnosis, it highlights how nature deficiency is linked to adverse psychological and physical health outcomes. Louv contends that human disconnection from nature leads to diminished sensory engagement, attention difficulties and elevated rates of both physical and emotional ailments.

Time outdoors is so fundamental to human life that even in U.S. maximum security prisons, inmates are guaranteed two hours outdoors each day. Yet, according to one survey, 50% of children spend less than one hour outside daily.14 It’s further noted in Proceedings of the Royal Society B:15

"Humans in developed countries spend much of their time indoors and in urban landscapes that bear little resemblance to the environment in which our species evolved. For example, a large survey based in the USA suggested that a typical citizen spends 87% of their time indoors and an additional 6% of their time in vehicles.

Living almost entirely apart from nature can lead to an overall disconnection from nature that has negative consequences for environmental conservation and can deprive individuals of the health and well-being benefits that nature provides."

Spending Time in Green and Blue Spaces Is Good for You

Varying the time you spend in natural environments among green spaces — like forests and parks — or blue spaces, like rivers, lakes and coastal areas, also provides significant benefits to overall well-being. There is a growing recognition of the importance of both green and blue spaces.

While green and blue spaces share some characteristics such as cooling effects and exposure to biodiversity, they also offer unique experiences. Blue spaces, for example, provide opportunities for recreational activities like swimming and offer distinct soundscapes such as the sounds of water, unlike green spaces.

A team of researchers, analyzing data from 18 countries, found that the greatest mental health benefits may stem from exposure to various types of natural environments. Visiting green spaces, inland blue spaces or coastal blue spaces within the past four weeks was positively associated with well-being and inversely associated with mental distress.

Feeling psychologically connected to nature, known as nature connectedness, was similarly linked to mental well-being and was associated with a lower likelihood of using depression medication.16 In separate studies, it was observed that older adults with access to parks exhibited better physical and psychological health, while individuals who frequented blue spaces also reported improved health.17

Another variable is exposure to specific sites and sounds in the natural world, like birds and their songs. It turns out these sweet melodies may yield lasting mental health benefits, according to research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London.18

The study took place between April 2018 and October 2021. It involved 1,292 participants primarily from the U.K., the European Union and the U.S. A cellphone app called Urban Mind was used to collect real-time reports of participants’ mood and environment.

Significant improvements were reported in the mental well-being of people with and without depression upon seeing a bird or hearing birdsongs compared to not seeing or hearing a bird.19 The positive benefits to mood lasted until the next app message, or up to eight hours.20

Why I Disagree With This Recommendation

I view the 20-5-3 nature rule as a feeble attempt to identify the minimum requirement of being outdoors in the sun. I realize that many, even at this astonishing low level, still fail to achieve this recommendation. This is a devastatingly sad commentary on just how unhealthy our behavior has become.

Getting regular daily sun exposure has been a passion of mine for several decades. There are many benefits to this activity that was engaged in by virtually every one of our ancient ancestors. It was virtually impossible to violate this because the daily necessities of living forced nearly everyone to experience daily sun exposure, not 20 minutes three times a week.

Even up to the turn of the twentieth century the most common occupation in the US was that of farmer who is outside most of the day. Today virtually all of us have indoor jobs. So, even if we live at a latitude where healthy sun exposure is possible, most fail to go outdoors and are stuck inside all day long.

I strongly believe that most of us should strive to be outdoors for an hour a day. Ideally that hour should be around solar noon to achieve the benefits of UVB and near IR wavelengths that, not only increase vitamin D, but additionally increase a storage form of energy known as structured water that can power your body when you don't have sun exposure.

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola

Original Post

What’s the TRUE COST?

 

When you talk options, be sure your clients know the true cost of their choices. I have had a number of conversations recently where my clients have won deals because they put the client in a position to succeed by sharing the true cost of their choices. We spoke a few months ago as we approached the end of the year and I suggested you drive the conversation around getting into a home prior to the beginning of the year, and the increase in demand that often creates. Some shared, others didn’t. Those that did are seeing their clients in homes that they secured at prices that are significantly lower than they would be right now, as well as the cost of that home a few more months from now. It’s simple, supply/demand is in favor of the seller. When sellers are in control, the cost to buy is higher and the competition is greater. As we approach the spring market, the demand will only grow higher, and so will prices. If we just use 5% appreciation rates, a $300K home costs $1,250 more in a month from now. A $400K house costs almost $1,700 more each month. How much has waiting cost someone that chose to wait from November until now? $5,000? $10,000? More?

The same case can be made for looking at the choices people have made when it comes to their outstanding debts. The largest overlook people make is the cost of that car they just had to buy! Maybe it’s the cost of two cars? But does the client realize the true cost of that choice? Do they know that at a 7% interest rate that every $100 in car payment reduces the amount of mortgage you can qualify for by more than $15,000? So, when we look at $500, $600, $700 a month or more in car payments, is that choice worth $75,000, $90,000, or over $100,000 in mortgage value? The same holds true for boats, RV’s, campers, credit cards, and other installment debt. Knowing the true cost can be life changing. Providing that information allows your client to understand their choices and how one choice can impact another. It also shows that as a true professional, you are sharing information that allows your client to make informed choices.

What’s the TRUE COST? As we head into the spring market, the demand will grow higher, and so will prices. Are you making sure your clients know the true cost of their choices.? Waiting will definitely cost them more!

WRITTEN BY MICHAEL WHITE

ORIGINAL POST

Sell or Stay Put? 11 Crucial Considerations for Today's Market, According to Real Estate Experts

With the volatility in the housing market over the last few years, many sellers are wondering if now is the right time to sell their house. The rise of home prices has made the market favorable for sellers, but those looking to move for more space or other reasons are struggling to find homes within their budget. Between high interest rates and low inventory keeping prices high, a new home purchase could leave homeowners stuck with a new mortgage payment that’s unsustainable.

Here are 10 key considerations homeowners need to take into account when debating if they should sell or stay put in today’s real estate market.

1. It’s still a seller’s market.

There’s no doubt the current market is working in favor of sellers, making it a much easier decision for those considering downsizing. Rachel Moussa, a Realtor based in Flower Mound, Texas, says low inventory combined with slightly lower interest rates compared to late 2023 has increased buyer demand again, making it a great time to be a seller.

If you have no strong reason to sell right away, Moussa says sellers willing to take a risk may want to wait to list until the summer in case buyer demand skyrockets. “If interest rates decrease as expected, sellers will likely net more in the summer than early spring,” Moussa says.

2. High interest rates mean less competition for buyers.

Interest rates have fallen slightly since fall 2023, but they still remain high enough to discourage many buyers. However, Moussa says these high interest rates are making the current market much easier for buyers to secure the home they want with protective measures like appraisals and inspections since there’s less demand.

If rates fall later in 2024, she says, buyers will see a more competitive market and need to forgo protective measures and compete with higher bids. “If you buy now, you can largely avoid that, and then refinance if and when rates go down.”

3. Don’t buy if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

Buyers may have less competition now, but Moussa discourages buyers from buying now for the sake of lower prices if they’re unable to find the home they’re looking for. Less inventory means fewer options with the features buyers want, so it may be prudent to wait until inventory levels are higher so buyers can find the right home for their family.

4. You can invest in smart home improvements.

If you’re looking to sell your home soon, a few savvy home improvements can drive up the value of your home, netting you a higher return. “The three best returns on investment are fresh neutral paint, flooring, and things to improve curb appeal,” Moussa says.

Michael Belfor, a mortgage banker in California, says homeowners can also increase their home’s value through kitchen and bathroom renovations, or even smaller upgrades like replacing appliances.

Before undergoing any renovation or home improvement project, Moussa recommends working with a local real estate agent to see the low-, mid-, and high-end of neighborhood sales so you don’t overdo it and spend more than what the project will increase in your home’s value.

5. Budget beyond a monthly payment.

Homeowners looking for a new home need to think and budget beyond the sale price and mortgage payments to know if they can afford to move, says Joe Thweatt, a Texas-based loan originator.

“Budget considerations should not only include the monthly payment, but also consider down payment, closing costs, moving costs, and maintenance costs moving forward,” Thweatt says. “Just because you can technically qualify for a loan does not necessarily always mean you should [take out the maximum amount].”

As a budget starting point, Thweatt says homeowners’ overall debt should be at 43 percent or less of their gross income. For example, a household with a monthly income of $10,000 should have no more than $4,300 in total debt payments, including a mortgage, credit cards, or any other debts.

6. You could rent out your home.

To build up funds for your next down payment, Moussa says renting out your current home can be an option. “If homeowners have a low interest rate, they may be surprised at the delta between what they can rent it for and their mortgage payment,” she says.

However, the key to this solution is moving into lower cost housing temporarily until enough savings are established, either by renting or downsizing into a smaller home. This solution is heavily dependent on the local rental market, and Moussa says homeowners should consult with a real estate agent to see if this is a viable financial option.

7. Consider finding a co-signer.

Homeowners with mid to low credit scores, like below 650, may think today’s high interest rates make securing a new mortgage loan impossible. However, if you need to move in the near future without time to work on improving your credit score, Belfor recommends finding a co-signer for the loan. “Having a co-signer with better credit or a joint application with a spouse or family member with stronger finances may help secure a better interest rate,” he says.

8. Establish at least 10 percent equity in your current home.

Homeowners also need to take a look at how much equity they have in their current home before jumping into a new purchase. Experts recommend sellers have at least 10 to 15 percent equity in order to have enough funds to pay off the loan and closing costs. Otherwise, sellers may take a financial loss by selling the home.

9. Be open to more affordable locations.

Homeowners wanting lower housing expenses or more space for the same cost should look into more affordable areas for a new home, says Moussa. “If you need more space, or you need less expense at a time when interest rates are higher than the rate you currently have, you have to ask yourself what you are willing to give up,” Moussa says.

Typically, home prices in suburbs decrease the further you go from the city. Or, buyers with more flexibility can look at homes in different states where the cost of living is more affordable.

10. Explore alternative financing options.

The best thing homeowners can do if they’re struggling to qualify for a good interest rate but need to move is to talk with their lender, Thweatt says. “Rate is certainly important, but it is not more important than the proper loan structure on the proper home. [Your loan adviser] knowing your real, short-, or long-term goals are for the property is paramount,” he says.

Some lenders even specialize in working with borrowers who may not qualify for traditional mortgages. Based on the homebuyer’s goals and financial needs, lenders may suggest different loan structures or alternative financing options, such as a lease-to-own agreement. There are also government loan programs, such as VA or FHA loans, that homebuyers can take advantage of if they meet the qualifications for a mortgage with better terms.

11. It’s best to be patient.

Above all, real estate experts say patience is key to navigate the current market. “I would always recommend giving yourself enough time when buying or selling a home,” Thweatt says. “When you are in too big of a hurry the tendency is to over pay or to settle on a property you do not fully love.”

Delaying the search for even 6 months can be beneficial, whether it’s to work on raising a credit score for a better loan or waiting to avoid a more competitive spring and summer market.

BY: Emily Benda Gaylord

Original Post

 

Are There Tax Advantages of Buying a Home?

 

If you’re thinking about becoming a homeowner any time soon, there are tax benefits to buying. In particular, tax deductions are one way to reduce your tax bill and income. Tax deductions are different from credits. Credits are money that gets taken off a tax bill. You can think of them somewhat like a coupon. A tax deduction reduces your adjusted gross income or AGI, reducing your tax liability.

The following are key tax benefits and things to know for homebuyers or possible homebuyers.

Mortgage Interest Deduction

Homeowners can deduct  interest on their home mortgage for the first $750,000 of mortgage debt. That limit is $375,000 if you’re married and filing separately. If you bought your home prior to December 16, 2017, an old limit of $1 million applies, and $500,000 if you’re married but filing separately.

In January, at the tax year’s end, a lender sends you Form 1098. This details the interest you paid over the previous year. You should include the interest you paid as part of the closing too.

Your lender includes interest for the partial initial month of your mortgage as part of your closing. You can locate this on your settlement sheet. If it’s not included on the 1098, add it to your total mortgage interest.

Mortgage Points Deduction

If you paid mortgage points to a lender as part of your loan or refinancing, then each point you buy will generally cost 1% of the total loan. They lower your interest rate by 0.25% each. If you paid, let’s say, $300,000 for your home, every point equals $3,000. If your interest rate is 4% in this example, the one point will lower your rate to 3.75% for the rest of your loan. You would get a deduction if you gave your lender money for your discount points.

If you refinanced your loan or took out a home equity line of credit, you are eligible for a deduction for points for your loan’s life.

Every time you’re making a payment on your mortgage, a smaller percentage of the points is built into your loan, and you can deduct that amount for every month you make payments. Again, your lender sends Form 1098, which details what you paid in interest on your mortgage and mortgage points.

You can claim the deduction based on that information on Schedule A of your Form 1040 or 1040-SR.

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

If you have private mortgage insurance, which lenders usually charge to borrowers who put down less than 20% on a conventional loan, you may be able to deduct your payments. PMI usually costs anywhere from $30 to $70 monthly for every $100,000 borrowed. As with other types of mortgage insurance, PMI protects a lender if you don’t make your mortgage payments.

Whether or not you can deduct PMI payments can depend on when you bought your home and your income.

The IRS says that homeowners can treat what you pay for PMI as interest on a home mortgage. If your adjusted gross income is under $100,000 or $50,000 if married, filing separately, you’re eligible for the full deduction here.

If you’re above that threshold, the deduction is phased out. If your AGI is above $109,000 or $54,500 to file separately as a married person, you aren’t eligible to take the deduction.

State and Local Tax Deduction

The state and local tax deduction, also known as SALT, lets you deduct some taxes you pay to the state or local government, but you have to itemize on your federal return.

Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, there was a cap on previously unlimited deductions. The cap is $10,000 per year in combined property taxes and either state income or sales taxes. The cap applies whether you’re single or married filing jointly. It goes down to $5,000 if you’re married and filing separately.

Home Sale Exclusion

If you profit after selling your home, you may not have to pay taxes. If you’ve owned and then lived in the home for at least two of the five years before the sale, you won’t pay taxes on the initial $250,000 of your profit. This profit is your capital gain. If you're married, filing jointly, that number goes up to $500,000.

However, at least one of the spouses has to meet an ownership requirement. Both spouses must meet a residency requirement, meaning they have lived in the home for two of the past five years.

Tax Credits

Finally, you could qualify for a mortgage credit if you received a mortgage credit certificate or MCC from a state or local government agency under a qualified mortgage credit certification program. You can also see if your state offers rebates, tax credits, or incentives for making improvements to your home to make it more energy efficient.

WRITTEN BY ASHLEY SUTPHIN

Original Post