Friendswood Development News

It's not so easy to stay cool in the midst of a boiling Texas summer, and if May's record breaking high temperatures are any indication, staying cool without breaking the bank will require a little improvising for many families.

Ceiling fans, according to a Home Depot fan expert, “produce a 'wind chill' effect, allowing you to feel cooler regardless of the temperature. They're also efficient, consuming less energy on average than a 100-watt light bulb.”

Fans are not just useful in the summer! While it’s warm outside, you'll want to set your fan in "down-draft" mode, with the blades running counterclockwise, to circulate cooler air. But when the weather turns cold, just flip the switch and reverse the motor so the blades can run clockwise. This forces the warm air down. The directional switch is usually located on top of the motor housing, so you will need a ladder. Plan to pick up a few fans at the local home supply store and ask about home installation services!

Fact: According to the US Department of Energy, “Ceiling fan/light combination units that have earned the ENERGY STAR are about 50% more efficient than conventional fan/light units. This can save you more than $15 per year on utility bills.”

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With all the news surrounding Hurricane Season 2010, you have probably figured out that only flood insurance covers damage to your home caused by flooding (aka rising water), but you may not know all of the details. Below I have compiled a few suggestions to help you become better prepared when the threat of a storm presents itself. 

Protect your hard-earned possessions. Build a personal file containing as much information as you can compile about all your “possessions” and keep it in high place, preferably fireproof and/or off premises. This detailed file should contain:  

• A copy of all your current insurance policies, your agent’s contact information as well as their corporate contact numbers (ex. 800 claims numbers and 24-hour service hotline numbers).
• A room-by-room inventory of your entire home, including receipts for high-value items, and recent photos or videos that could be used as “proof of ownership”.
• Copies of all critical family documents, including financial records, birth certificates and passports. 

Flooding can happen anywhere, and without much notice, but certain areas are obviously more susceptible to severe flooding than others. To help homeowners better understand the risk levels in their area, flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps, FIRMs) have been created to show the locations of high-risk, moderate-to-low risk, and undetermined-risk areas. Visit the FEMA website  to determine your specific flood hazard area. Although no one wants to endure a flood or deal with the cleanup and aftermath, you can rest a little easier knowing you have a grab-and-go file that with make the recovery much smoother for you and your family. 

FACT: In 2007, flooding occurred in all 50 states, and nearly 25 percent of those claims come from moderate-to-low risk areas.

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In a struggling economy and a definitive housing bubble, there has emerged an unpredicted buyer. Women. In particular, younger women, who are finding their most opportune shot at home ownership. In 2008 alone, more men than women lost their jobs by a ratio of three to one, in the financial and manufacturing sectors.

Ellen Iggulden, a 27-year-old Chicago-based auditor, says “most of my guy friends are sitting on the buying sidelines. But among my female college pals, (I) was actually one of the last to take the real estate plunge.” Hearing about their successes, she says, was empowering: “If they can do it, so can I!”

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Did you know that on average, each member of your family use an astonishing 170 gallons of water every day? To put it into perspective, that’s the equivalent of about three full bathtubs! The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities for water conservation without the perceived inconveniences. Every gallon saved means more green - in your pocket and out our world.

Here are just a few simple ways to incorporate water conservation into your daily routine without feeling all dried up!

Install a low-flow showerhead. The new aerating showerheads can reduce the flow from 2.5 gallons per minute to as low as 1 gallon per minute, while maintaining water pressure because they mix in air. Then, shave just two minutes off your average shower time and you will save about five gallons every time you clean up. Check with your builder, new homes often come standard with this energy saving feature!

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Hurricane Preparedness Week for 2010 begins Sunday, May 23. Each day of the week will be devoted to a different aspect of the hurricane season. By visiting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website at www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2 you may access each day’s topic. The schedule is as follows:

Sunday is devoted to the history of hurricanes in the United States. Links are provided to view articles on most of the major U.S. hurricanes dating back to the Galveston Hurricane of 1900.

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Each Spring, we move our clocks forward by one hour during the night in order to capture the convenience that extra light brings during the Spring and Summer seasons. Friendswood Development Company is reminding you to remember to do just that at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 14.

Daylight Saving Time actually affects you in more ways than simply confusing your schedule. By making the adjustment, we are allowing ourselves to use less energy in lighting our homes. This energy-saving orientation was the original intent of the U.S. when Daylight Saving Time was instituted during World War I and later when the length of Daylight Saving Time was standardized in 1966.

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Grilled Shrimp and Grapefruit Salad

prep time: 20 minutes
marinate time: 1 hour
grill time: 1 hour
makes 5 servings

Vinaigrette
1/4 cup white wine vinaigrette
2 tablespoons red grapefruit juice
2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Salad
1 bag wild brown shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 ruby red grapefruit, peeled and sectioned
2 jumbo avocado halves, sliced
1 bag baby spring salad mix

Combine vinaigrette ingredients in a shaker bottle and mix well. Place half of the dressing in a large zipper bag, add shrimp and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

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The beginning of a new year is always a good time to start some healthier, happier habits. Below are 10 simple ideas to try to incorporate into your new year, new you.

SMILE. Give yourself a happy break. Smiling sends a message to your unconscious mind and generates a positive mood and attitude.

Eat WELL-BALANCED meals throughout the day and kick-start your metabolism with breakfast every day.

Sit down, chew and ENJOY your food! Rushing meals may prevent the food from digesting properly. Take time for a leisurely meal instead of rushing off to start your next activity.

Make it a goal to drink at least eight glasses of WATER a day. Water flushed out the unwanted toxins from your body.

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The Houston Weather Bureau is predicting freezing conditions from Thursday night through to Saturday morning (January 7-9, 2010).

These sustained freezing conditions could result in pipes bursting, causing severe damage. Please take the following precautions to minimize damage to your property and protect your plant and pets.

• Wrap an exterior exposed pluming pipes.
• Disconnect water hoses.
• Keep your pets inside.
• Cover your plants.
• Do not leave faucets dripping
• Listen to your radio and T.V. for weather updates.
• If you are going out of town, leave the heat on in your unit and open the under counter cabinet doors. As an additional precaution, turn off the main water valve and drain the faucets. If you turn the water off and you have electric water heater, be sure to turn the breaker off.

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HAR Election Information - Get Out the Realtor Vote

- Why is the Houston Association of Realtors involved in the Political Process?

- State Constitutional Amendments

- Has HVCC Cost You and Clients Money?

- Have You Contact your Legislator to Extend and Expand the $8,000 Tax Credit?

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