Selling a home can be a long, arduous process. When planning to sell, there are some basic aspects to consider before putting your home on the market.

Of course you’ll want to find a reputable realtor to handle the logistics of the selling process. But it’s important that your home, when viewed by potential buyers, can be seen as their home. This can be a challenge because there are bits of personalization throughout the home – both inside and outside.

In addition to adding fresh, neutral coats of paint, adding curb appeal removing personal items – such as pictures, magnets and knick knacks – and cleaning thoroughly, you’ll want to give extra attention to some of the larger, more permanent portions of your home before showing it to buyers.

Floors
Hardwood floors are timeless and still a draw for many homebuyers. Be sure that scratches, dents, uneven planks and discoloration are attended to before the viewing. On top of repairs, a thorough waxing gives hardwoods an undeniably new, clean feel.

Carpets should be stain and odor–free. Also, if you’ve moved heavy furniture to make your home more buyer–neutral, take care to remove the indentations left behind.

Counters
In bathrooms, kitchens and workspaces, counters are often the focus. Laminates are seen as outdated in many markets while granites and stones are more lasting. Concrete, steel, tile and butcher block are other materials often used to bring countertops up to date.

Be sure that your counters show little wear – scratches, burns from pots and curling irons, chipped edges.

Built–ins and Lighting
Homebuyers pay specific attention to the aspects of a home they cannot change. If they don’t like the paint color, they’ll change it. If they don’t like the huge built–in entertainment center or recessed lighting, that’s a different story.

Make sure lighting fixtures are current with the times and inconspicuous, as well as very clean. Use softer lighting to give the space a warmer, cozier glow.

For built–in furniture, highlight what is most positive about it. That it saves space in the room. That it can be personalized with a new finish or glass doors. Incorporate it into the style of the room to make homebuyers feel as if it will meet their needs.

What’s most important is that a homebuyer can see themselves in the space you’ve lived in, whether for a long or short period of time. De – clutter without leaving the spaces void of character and think about classic design and cleanliness when preparing to put your home on the market.

According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), “56 percent of homeowners cite functionality as their largest concern when it comes to their home.” NARI National President Paul Zuch, CR, president of Capital Improvements, says that many homeowners opt for remodeling, as opposed to moving to new homes, as a means of living in a more functional space.

A home’s functionality is personal. For example, a family with small children or growing families will demand different things from their homes than do retired couples or single homeowners. If you’re planning to remodel your Charlotte home before putting it on the market, here are some things NARI says to consider.

• Electrical outlets, telephone jacks and cable hookups. Where is the best, most convenient and accessible place to plug items in?
• Lighting. Skylights, recessed lighting and built – in lighting save space. But they do become permanent fixtures in a remodeled home.
• Blending the aesthetics and design of new and existing living areas. You want to ensure that balance between the two is maintained.
• Storage needs. Many homebuyers cite a lack of sufficient storage space as a reason not to purchase. Think about current and future storage needs when remodeling for functionality.

According to NARI, “universal features to accommodate the needs of a broader range of people throughout their lifetimes” is important to consider. Stairs become a challenge for aging residents while cat walks and low counters are dangers for small children. Think about home design features that can adapt as the needs of the homeowners change.

Some of the more recent polls conducted by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry have homeowners showing concern over room size and accessibility to the home.

Whether you’re remodeling for personal convenience or to attract homebuyers, keep functionality at the forefront when making design decisions.

The first time home buyer tax credit and repeat – buyer tax credit served to stimulate the real estate market during an economic lull, and that they did; but many experts, surprisingly, projected a continued increase in home sales following the expiration of the credit application deadline.

They were right – at least in Charlotte. Last month, homes sales in Charlotte were up by 32.7 percent from May 2009. Since December, Charlotte has witnessed six consecutive months of home sales exceeding those of the year past, according to the Charlotte Business Journal and Lyn Kessie, 2010 Carolina Multiple Listing Services, Inc. (CMLS) president.

The tax credits also helped shift local sales statistics. Sales stemming from the tax credits were dominated by homes on the lower end of the market, according to the Charlotte Business Journal. For this reason, some people offer that existing–home sales will continue to rise after the tax credit period ends, while luxury and new–home sales could decline or remain stagnant for a short time more.

While home sales in Charlotte rose, mortgage rates continued to fall. For 30 and 15–year fixed mortgages, qualified home buyers can find rates as low as 4 percent. Some FHA rates are as low at 3.875 percent.

What does this mean for home seekers? It’s still a great time to house hunt in Charlotte. Many homes are still on the market for reduced prices due to the recent real estate slump, and interest rates for home loans are at an unprecedented low. Plus, with home sales increasing, the real estate pulse of the city is picking up making Charlotte an energetic and informed place to look for new property.

The weather is officially warm in the South. Pools are uncovered, sunscreen is on the shelves and outdoor merriment is beginning to fill the long afternoons and weekends.

While summer is fun – the kids are out of school – it can also be a somewhat dangerous season if precautions aren’t taken. More injuries occur during the summer months than in any other season of the year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Here are some tips from the CPSC for keeping your fun–filled summer safe.

1. Don’t forget your safety gear. Remember to wear a helmet when bike riding, skating or horse back riding. You can cut down your chances of a head injury by 85 percent if an accident occurs and you’re wearing a helmet.

2. Grill safety – never bring charcoal grills indoors and avoid using them on wood surfaces to avoid fire. Check the pipes and connections of your gas grill before using it.

3. Children safety is paramount during rambunctious summer months. Ensure playgrounds are fall – safe by using at least 9 inches of mulch, wood chips or other padded surfacing. Put barriers in windows to prevent children from falling out. Secure hiding places such as old chests, coolers and dryer doors to guarantee a game of hide and seek doesn’t turn dangerous.

4. Pools are another point of safety during the summer season. Layer up on protection with access gates, pool alarms, a nearby first aid kid and loads of supervision. It’s important to always have a CPR – certified adult present.

5. Summer is a time for tidying the yard. Be sure children are out of the way before operating lawn equipment. If your yard slopes, use only a rotary mower and cut grass horizontally across the slope, not up and down.

Most summer safety tips fall under common knowledge, but with people on vacation, children out of school, order to regain in your home … there’s so much going on that safety sometimes slips out the back door. The most important summer safety tip is simply to be observant, keep an eye on children and be prepared should an accident occur.