Both exciting and overwhelming, the home selling process is definitely one of details and planning. As the national housing market continues to improve and bound back from recent recession, many homeowners are taking the next step toward selling their homes. If you fall into this category, avoid these 7 mistakes to remove the headaches from home selling.

1. Not using experts. Many homeowners want to sell their own homes but the logistics are daunting. Consider whether you want a licensed Realtor or an agent. Be sure you choose an experienced expert to manage the ins and outs of the selling process.

2. Ineffective marketing. Be sure you’re putting your home in front of the right audience. Communicate with your agent to ensure he or she is listing your home thoroughly and take advantage of Internet advertising.

3. Not fully disclosing all problems with the property. Trust between realtor, seller and potential buyer will dissolve when issues with the home are discovered later in the selling process. Be upfront about improvements and troubles before putting the home on the market.

4. Being too involved. Don’t hold your own open house or host your own showings – most buyers will be hesitant to ask questions if the homeowner is lingering around. Don’t get emotionally attached to the property. Remember that your memories don’t transfer to the new owner, and being overly sentimental will make the selling process more difficult for you.

5. Ignoring curb appeal. Be sure your yard is neat, toys are removed and from the outside, your home appears clean and welcoming. Small tasks such as sweeping porches and blowing off driveways make a huge difference.

6. Poor pricing. Pricing too high will drive away certain potential buyers but pricing too low is ultimately bad for the seller. This is an area in which your experienced agent will be of great help.

7. Forgetting about the details. Be sure your home is odor–free and pet–free when potential buyers are viewing it. Make the beds, keep the paint fresh and remove overly personal items from the home. Keep in mind, “what would I want to see if I were looking to buy a home,” when prepping for a showing.

There is so much to consider when selling your home if you want to do so effectively. Be open with your realtor, as he or she will have seen both positive and negative selling experiences in the past.

If your mortgage is larger than the value of your home and your property is seeing negative equity, it may seem like going into foreclosure is the best solution. But oftentimes, homeowners rush into walking away before understanding all their options. Being upside down on your mortgage is overwhelming, but there are other possible solutions to your problem that don’t carry such long–term effects that should be considered before leaving your home.

Refinancing
If you’re considering foreclosure, it’s likely you won’t qualify for refinancing but it is possible. Essentially, you would be trading your mortgage in for a new one with a lower monthly payment. Homeowners must have good credit scores, meet stiff requirements and have good income / little debt to qualify for refinancing.

Mortgage Overhauls
Speak with your lender about options for mortgage modifications. Extending the length of your loan period can often result in more manageable monthly payments. Lowering the interest rate and consolidating loans can have the same effect.

Short Sales
If your bank is willing to take less than you owe on your house, you can list it as a short sale. This can be a long process that requires understanding and work from both lender and seller, but its long – term effects on your credit are far less reaching than those foreclosure causes.

Secondary Loans
Face up to your financial situation before considering secondary loans. If you’re struggling to repay your current loan, a second one is not always the best option; however, speaking with a lending professional could help you understand if a supplementary loan is a good idea for you.

With the recent struggle in the housing market, efforts have been made to help homeowners understand their options and avoid being taken advantage of when it comes to foreclosure. The Obama administration’s Making Home Affordable Program offers this advice on avoiding scams and getting help in the face of foreclosure.

• Contact a HUD – approved lending counselor. The service is unbiased and totally free.
• Be wary of any organization requesting fees for counseling or delinquent loan modification services.
• Don’t ever sign over your deed unless you’re working directly with your mortgage company.
• Don’t make payments to any organization other than your mortgage company.
• Recognize and avoid common scam approaches such as those requiring the quick turnover of papers in order to save your home and third party involvement in forgiving your debt.

MakingHomeAffordable.com is an excellent resource for homeowners considering foreclosure. If you’re upside down on your mortgage, understand your options and seek out the most reputable resources for assistance before deciding to walk away.

Deciding to purchase a home is the big step in what many first–time home buyers discover to be a daunting process. From searching properties to finding the perfect realtor; from worrying about buyer’s remorse to handling your finances, buying a home can be a complex course.

Thorough planning is the best way to avoid unforeseen dilemmas. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), first–time home buyers should carry with them – mentally if not physically – a checklist.

What does NAR recommend?

1. Create a wish list. Outline what you deem necessary in your new home, what features would be perks and be honest about the issues that would result in your ruling out a property.
2. Browse smartly. Look for homes in areas you’re already attracted to and browse within your budget.
3. Find a reputable, experienced realtor.
4. Inform yourself about the communities surrounding your potential new home. Learn about schools, crime rates and local businesses.
5. Get all the details about the property – tax records, repair records, pricing history, etc. You don’t want to be surprised when something unexpected is revealed later in the buying process.

Realtor Magazine also offers these tips for home buying preparation. They’re basic but weighted steps each potential home buyer should take before rushing into a decision.

1. Decide what you can afford.
2. Research potential places to live.
3. Start saving as soon as possible. A down payment on a new home is about 20% of the overall cost and closing fees range from 2 to 7 percent of the home’s cost.
4. Tidy your credit – getting financing will be nearly impossible if your credit is in a mess.
5. Research and determine your mortgage qualifications.
6. Get pre-approval for a home loan from your lender.
7. Calculate and understand the full costs of home ownership – taxes, insurance, maintenance fees, etc.

Buying a home, although sometimes a challenge, should be an exciting transition for you. Find an experienced realtor to help guide you through the process and approach each phase with open – mindedness and, most importantly, preparation.

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.

If you’re considering the purchase of a condominium, home in a gated community or property that’s part of a planned development, it’s possible you’ll be obligated to join the homeowners association (HOA). What is a HOA?

A homeowner’s association is an organization that’s typically put in place by the developer of a community. The HOA is responsible for managing and promoting the sale of properties, as well as for maintaining the grounds and buildings in the neighborhood . HOAs are able to do this because they require residents to pay fees – generally ranging from $200 to $500 based on the value of the properties in the community.

Here are 5 things you should consider before putting an offer on a home that will require HOA membership.

1. Covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&R). Most HOAs have CC&R policies that outline rules and regulations by which residents must abide. For example, the color options for painting your home, what recreational vehicles you can have parked on your property and yard maintenance regulations could all be included in your HOA’s CC&R policies.

2. Know what your fees cover. HOA fees can cover a range of community expenses – upkeep of recreational areas, parking, security and, occasionally, certain utilities. Be sure you have a thorough understanding of what your HOA fees will cover before signing a contract on the property.

3. Know your HOA. Try and attend a HOA meeting or contact members of the board of directors before deciding to buy the property. Is the HOA self – managed or will there be fees to cover the management of the association by an outside party? What are the projected increases in HOA fees for the next few years and how are increases set?

4. Ask about your HOA’s reserve and request information regarding the most recent reserve study. A certain amount of funding should be put aside each month to cover unexpected expenses, such as repairs of common grounds, repairs covered under contracts and security. A reserve study shows the HOA what they should be setting aside – request information about this before buying.

5. Self – assess. If you’re a homeowner who desires full freedom when it comes to your property, you may not be the best candidate for HOA membership. Weigh the benefits a HOA offers against the cons – property maintenance and community supervision versus required fees and rules by which homeowners must abide.

There are positive and negative aspects involved with homeowners associations. Before you commit to purchasing a property requiring the homeowner’s membership to a HOA, speak with your realtor. A realtor can help you understand the ins and outs of the HOA policy and can answer questions that will help you decide if a HOA is right for you.