Need Mobile Answers Fast? Text 466453 (GOOGLE)

Did you know that Google offers a quick-and-easy text message search service? Even if you have a smart phone with a web browser, you might find Google’s SMS search handy. For one, it’s incredibly fast– no clicking of links or searching through results or squinting at your mobile browser. For another, you can use special keywords to get immediate access to information.

For example, just text “weather 87112″ to 466453 (GOOGLE) and you’ll instantly receive the current weather in Albuquerque, along with a three day forecast. It works with any zip code.

Need movie times? It works the same way. Just text “movies” plus the zip code, and results will come back, along with options to view more films, more theater times, addresses and phone numbers. You can also have step-by-step driving directions texted to you simply by texting “directions [start address] to [destination address].” Need a quick definition? Just text “define [word]” to 466453.

With over 22 “hot search keywords” you can often get your hands on information faster than searching yourself. To check out a demo along with all of the search features (and instructions on how to use them), check out the Google SMS page:

http://www.google.com/mobile/products/sms.html

While normal texting charges apply, most people have high-limit or unlimited texting plans. If that’s you, you might just find yourself addicted to Google SMS in no time flat.

I hope you enjoy this little tip.  As always the Elite Asset Management Team is available for any of you questions on Albuquerque Real Estate and we are never to busy for your referrals.

Have a good day!

Bathroom Remodels Becoming More Popular

Staying with yesterday’s theme of remodeling I found a great article from Realty Times discussing some of the trends in remodeling. Below is the beginning of the article and a link to read the full article. I hope this helps you to decide what remodeling project to choose first.

While kitchens are still high on the interest list for buyers and homeowners, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is reporting that remodeler survey respondents say that a bathroom remodel was one of their most common projects during the first six months of 2010–as much as 61 percent of their remodels were done on bathrooms.

Read the Full Story At:

http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20100806_remodels.htm

Great Southwest Home Remodeling and Design Show

In case you have that bathroom or kitchen remodel project you been wanting to do, the Great Southwest Home Remodeling and Design Show is a good opportunity to check out the latest trends and designs. The show will be on August 28th & 29th and hosted at the Rio Rancho Santa Ana Star Center in the heart of Downtown Rio Rancho. There will be over 250 booths from all types of vendors and will be a great resource for meeting companies that can assist in your remodeling ideas, landscape tips and furnishings. This event occurs twice a month in the months of April and August.  Additional details and event times are Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 10am-4pm Admission: Regular pricing is $8 per person Special – 2 for the price of 1 – $8 for 2 adults, $4 for single person Kids under 12 FREE

More details visit: http://www.gswhomeshow.com/showInfo.html

Enjoy the show!

Tips to Keeping Your Home Cooler

Tips to Keeping Your Home Cooler By Stephanie Andre

RISMEDIA, August 3, 2010–Wow, it’s hot outside! The summer’s in full swing with no signs of cooling. And while you may be tempted to crank up the A/C, remember – you won’t be nearly as excited to see that electric bill next month. To save some money — and, don’t forget, energy! — here are six tips that might just help.

 1. Avoid heat build-up in your home – The best way to keep your home cool is to keep the heat out. This can be done by closing the drapes on windows facing the sun (east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon). You should also try to avoid heat-generating activities, such as cooking, on hot days or during the hottest part of the day. If you are cooking, use your range fan to vent the hot air out of your house. By reducing the amount of heat in your home, you will have to use less energy to cool it.

2. Use ventilation and circulation to cool your home – Instead of automatically turning on the air conditioner on hot days, try cooling your home with window and ceiling fans. Circulating air can make your home feel cool and comfortable in a much more efficient way than air conditioning. There is also the option of a whole house fan (a large ventilating fan installed in you attic that expels hot air out of your home) which can circulate air throughout your entire home.

 3. Keep air conditioning efficient and to a minimum – When you do have to use air conditioning, there are ways to make it more efficient. First of all, turn up the temperature setting on your air conditioner by a couple of degrees. Most people keep the temperature setting lower than it needs to be, hence using more energy than is needed to keep your home cool. It is recommended that you keep the temperature at about 25° C (77° F). Also, remember to turn off your air conditioner once your home has reached a comfortable temperature. By coupling minimum air conditioning with reducing the amount of heat entering your home, you can keep it cool without using excess energy. It isn’t recommended that you leave your air conditioner on when you leave your house, but if you’re going to do so, turn the temperature setting up a few more degrees while you’re gone to about 28° C (82° F). Also, remember to turn off your air conditioner if you’re going to be away from your home for more than a day. It is also important to make sure your cooling vents aren’t blocked so that the energy being used is going towards actually cooling your home and not being wasted. Furthermore, keep rooms that don’t need cooling, such as closets, closed off when you’re air conditioning.

 4. Make sure your home isn’t losing cool air – By weather-stripping and caulking around windows, doors and electrical outlets on outer walls, you can prevent losing cool air from your home and prevent hot air from getting in. Improve your home’s insulation on outer walls, again to keep cool air in, and hot air out. You should also consider installing storm doors for the same reasons if your home doesn’t already have them. If you have a fireplace, keep the flue closed. These provide an extra barrier against the escape of cool air. All of these options will make cooling your home more efficient and will save you money on your energy bill.

 5. Select energy-efficient cooling systems – If you’re in the market for a new cooling system, there are many new technologies that are much more efficient than older versions. As with other appliances, you should look for the Energy Star logo and compare the amount of electricity each uses.

6. Use the coolest parts of your home – On hot days, parts of your house will naturally stay cooler than others. For example, if you have a basement it will remain cool even during the hottest part of the day (this is because the cool air in your home will sink down to your basement). One way you can reduce the amount of energy used to cool your home is to do more in cooler areas of your home. This way, you won’t have to use energy to stay cool.