By the time February rolls around, we Charlotte Home Owners have endured two or three months of cold weather and have another two months to go. We've been spending it or most of the time inside houses. Naturally we’re dreaming about tulips... fantasizing about homeowner improvement projects. For those planning to put their Charlotte Home on the market in the spring, such thoughts are now taking on a real urgency. With that in mind, our second annual House and Home issue opens with a piece on the two most important rooms in the house. The kitchen and bath. We asked design experts for insights on making the most of these high-traffic rooms. Even if your listings don’t have the features most sought by today's buyers, you can help sellers plan economical upgrades and give buyers a vision of what those outdated rooms could become. To help you make a great first impression online, where most buyers get their first look at your Charlotte Homes listings, we offer a curbside makeover plan with the camera in mind. Sellers that are on a budget and who's not today? Will appreciate our tips on wise color choices for everyone, plus our low cost and no cost design tweaks and highlights on a new National Association of Home Builders survey on how long home appliances and other components can be expected to last. And because everyone is talking about the importance of eco-friendly living, we share some of the coolest and smartest products that can help homeowners do their part for the environment. The whole package brought to you once again this year by Realtor Benefits partner Lowe’s. From there, go online for our exclusive video tour of a dream green kitchen. And be among the first to read our dispatches of the 2009 International Builders show in Las Vegas January 20 - 23rd. We’ve posted news from the show at our new Home and Design blog “Styled, Staged, and Sold.” Whether or not design is your passion, you’ll want to check back regularly with the blog. Our team of design experts will be offering tips for getting your listings in showing shape, ideals about remodeling, and design news including trends in green design. We welcome guest bloggers. So, if you want to share staging success, tell us about a trend in your area, or offer tips for handling design challenges and a sale. Contact Melissa Dittman Tracy at mtracey@realtors.org. Enjoy this special House and Home issue and don't hesitate to write us at narpubs@realtor.org with your feedback and with story ideas you'd like us to pursue.
