The Hilton Head Island Real Estate Blog

Hilton Head Island Real Estate Deals-- Villa Update

2009-03-03T13:17:00.000-08:00

Hilton Head Island has never had a better selection of villa and condo inventory at such great prices, while at the same time, we have not had so few people looking. For those with excellent credit and in a good cash position the time has never been better to get in on real estate purchases on Hilton Head. As an example I ran a report today for one of my listings and just in Palmetto Dunes and Shipyard there are currently 202 two bedroom villas on the market. According to MLS we have averaged 5 sales per month over the past six months so this leaves a 40 month supply of inventory and that is if no one else puts there property on the market. Although not everyone is considering real estate right now until the economy gets some direction, those that are buying are getting their first pick at a very good value.

Great Listing Offered by The Hill Real Estate Group

2008-11-24T11:38:00.000-08:00

IMMACULATE! This beautifully maintained home is located in Hilton Head Plantation. It has a great floor plan offering 3 Bedrooms and 2.5 Baths, an Eat-In Kitchen, a Great Room with fireplace, Dining Room, Large Master Suite and a 2-car Garage. The home is light and bright with sweeping views of the 8th fairway of the Country Club of Hilton Head golf course. This home has all brand new carpeting, roof, gutters, hot water heater and HVAC system.

Coligny Beach Area to Get Makeover

2008-07-09T11:13:00.000-07:00

If you're a tourist on Hilton Head Island get your last look at the Coligny Beach Park before you leave, because by next summer, it will look a whole lot different. The town of Hilton Head is moving ahead with plans to drastically redesign and improve the entrance to the island's busiest beach spot. The narrow, cluttered walkways will be replaced with a wide driveway that will serve as a drop-off area and an entrance point that will open up views to the ocean.

The idea is to spread the "beach feeling" from the Atlantic Ocean to Coligny Circle and beyond so people know they have arrived at a beach spot, instead of having to crane their necks to get a glimpse of the water from the car. The centerpiece will be a large ground-level fountain at the entrance with 26 choreographed jets.

The project is part of the town's overall Bridge to the Beach redevelopment plan to revitalize the main tourism district and make it more pedestrian-friendly. Last year, the town finished adding off-street bike paths along Pope Avenue.

After the beach park is reconstructed, the town will focus on reshaping the public parking lot across the street. The plans call for making the lot easier to navigate and building a park on town-owned land currently occupied by The Smokehouse restaurant and a miniature golf course. The whole area will be linked with pathways.

As part of the beach entrance redesign, the public parking spaces near the Holiday Inn Oceanfront will be replaced with a wide walkway. The bathroom and office buildings will be removed, and new bathroom buildings will be constructed. Along the walkway to the beach, the town plans to put small changing rooms and bench swings.

Hilton Head Island, always looking for ways to enhance her natural beauty.

Hilton Head Island -- What Makes it so Special?

2008-06-23T12:29:00.000-07:00

With all that is written about resort living, let's take a look at some interesting statistics that make Hillton Head Island such a unique place to visit and live.
The People
Hilton Head is much more than a retirement community. Our population is diverse and vibrant with 70% of our residents under 60 years of age and the largest segment of our population (18.2%) is under 18 years of age. There are approximately 39,000 residents and the median age is 35.4 years. We are not a typical Southern town. The resident population is comprised primarily of folks who came from somewhere east of the Mississippi River.
The Weather
Without a doubt one of the key reasons to visit or live here is the climate. The semi-tropical
weather, with Annual Average temperatures of Daytime - 75° and Evening - 55° and
Ocean - 69°. The mild Winters produce flowering plants year round and we're always green, not with envy, but with Evergreen trees (Oaks, Pines and Holly) and our State symbol and the icon of warm winters, PALM TREES!

Sound inviting? Come check us out and stay awhile, or, forever.

Hilton Head Island -- Why do people come here?

2008-06-09T12:15:00.000-07:00

Let's look at some things that make Hilton Head Island such a special place.
Golf – the island offers 23 courses to challenge every level of play, some ranked in the top 100!
Tennis – with hundreds of courts in a variety of surfaces, no wonder we are so popular.
Shopping – yes guys, let's admit it, the ladies like their shopping diverse and extensive and Hilton Head Island offers it all, from boutiques to outlets.
Dining – too numerous to mentions but we have some of the finest restaurants in the South, and, the service is as splendid as the food.
Boating – water works wonders for the enthusiast as well as day tripper. The fishing is awesome too!
Climate – what can we say, Hilton Head Island's semi-tropical offering is very hard to beat.
Beach – 12 miles long, pristine, wide and uncrowded -- need we say more?
Natural Beauty and Wildlife – preservation of the “natural feel, teeming with wildlife, a nature lover’s haven.

So what are you waiting on, come and see for yourself!

Tiki Hut Safe For Now

2008-03-11T12:19:00.000-07:00

For a couple of years now there has been speculation that the Holiday Inn Oceanfront at Coligny Circle is going to be torn down to make way for a condominium project. This demolition would include the ever popular Tiki Hut. However, a statement has just been released that the popular beachfront hangout isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The long-term fate of the bar and the adjoining Holiday Inn Oceanfront is still up in the air, but hotel officials announced today a plan to spend $2 million renovating the property and keep operating it through at least the 2009 season.

Lodgian, the hotel's Atlanta-based owner, still is seeking approval for plans to tear down the 30-year-old hotel and turn it into a condominium complex. But those plans could hinge on the recovery of the local and national real estate markets management has stated. So for at least the next two summers, tourists and locals can continue to enjoy their beloved Tiki Hut and the island's oldest still-operating hotel.

40th Annual Verizon Heritage Golf Tournament

2008-03-03T11:19:00.001-08:00

Make your plans now! The 40th annual Verizon Heritage Golf Tournament is scheduled for April 14 – 20 with golf professionals from around the world descending upon Hilton Head Island once again to play in one of professional golf’s most prestigious tournaments. Don’t miss the fun and excitement as you watch top professional golfers do their best to tame the ever challenging Harbour Town Golf Links. You can log onto www.verizonheritage.com for up to date details and ticket information. You can also contact their office directly at (843) 671-2448.

While your here take advantage of the opportunity to look at some of the many real estate opportunities available.

Now, is the time to buy!

Hilton Head Island -- Age of the Buyer's Market

2008-02-04T11:36:00.000-08:00

In spite of the housing market slump, area Realtors say we're in the best "buyer's market" since 1991, so great deals abound for property investors. If you've considered buying investment property, now could be the time to act. Banks with foreclosed properties, builders selling at substantial discounts, and distressed sellers are all eager to meet with interested buyers.

Why isn't everyone snapping all this property up? Because most people buy at the wrong time and sell at the wrong time. Many are currently hesitating because they are hearing a lot of negative reasons not to buy, but if you have the money, this is a phenomenal time-call it 'buying on bad news.'

Market data shows that you can pay 20 percent less right now for a property than you could have if you'd bought it in June 2005, which is when the market topped out.
Many buyers try to wait until the end of a cycle to buy, hoping to get the best price but unfortunately, you can't see the cycle's end until it's gone.
Realizing that real estate is a long-term investment, especially in the current market, is also important.

Property in this area is always going to go up because the Lowcountry's
population continues to increase and with more people coming into an area put pressure on the market to get prices up. The housing market in 1989 was similar to today's. Property that seemed to cost a fortune back then is worth much more now.

To be a successful real estate investor, one must be able to qualify for mortgages with favorable terms and for those with good credit, we see today's investment sales are mostly time shares, houses, and villas purchased for the short and long-term rental markets. Short-term rental properties are an investment with personality. Owners can use the property as a vacation home, making it one of the few investments that the whole family can enjoy.

Because investors usually will spend at least some time in short-term rental property, it should have personal appeal for vacations. You should buy something you actually like, not choose it just because the numbers are good. For short-term rentals, the nearer to the beach the better. Long-term renters are likely to want to be near everyday amenities. The property should have a good rental history, too.

A property's uniqueness is very important to its value. If a villa is one of 20, as opposed to one with 300 comparables on the market.

Now is the time to buy, give us a call.

U.S. FORECLOSURE ACTIVITY INCREASES 75 PERCENT IN 2007

2008-01-30T13:04:00.000-08:00

RealtyTrac® (realtytrac.com), the leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties, today released year-end data from its 2007 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows a total of 2,203,295 foreclosure filings — default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions — were reported on 1,285,873 properties nationwide during the year, up 75 percent from 2006. The report also shows that more than 1 percent of all U.S. households were in some stage of foreclosure during the year, up from 0.58 percent in 2006. A total of 215,749 foreclosure filings were reported in December, up 97 percent from December 2006 and bringing the fourth-quarter total to 642,150 filings on 527,740 properties — up 1 percent from the previous quarter and up 86 percent from the fourth quarter of 2006.

Top 10 annual foreclosure rates for 2007
1 Nevada
2 Florida
3 Michigan
4 California
5 Colorado
6 Ohio
7 Georgia
8 Arizona
9 Illinois
10 Indiana

FED CUTS RATES 3/4 POINT IN BID TO CALM MARKETS

2008-01-22T06:48:00.000-08:00

The Federal Reserve, confronted with a global stock sell-off fanned by increased fears of a recession, cut a key interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point, the biggest one-day move by the central bank in recent memory.

The Fed said it was cutting the federal funds rate, the interest that banks charge each other on overnight loans, to 3.5 percent, down by three-fourths of a percentage point from 4.25 percent. The central bank also cut the more symbolic discount rate by three-quarters of a point, to 4 percent.

The Fed action was the most dramatic signal it can send that it is concerned about a potential recession in the United States. It marked the biggest one-day move by the central bank in recent memory.

The Fed decision was taken during an emergency telephone conference with Fed officials on Monday night. Those discussions occurred after global financial markets had plunged Monday as investors grew more concerned about the possibility that the United States, the world's largest economy, could be headed into a recession.

The announcement came at 8:20 am New York time before the U.S. markets opened. Stock futures, which were pointing to a sharply lower open, bounced back but are still indicating a lower open.

The following is the text of a statement released by the U.S. Federal Reserve on Tuesday:

The Federal Open Market Committee has decided to lower its target for the federal funds rate 75 basis points to 3-1/2 percent.

The Committee took this action in view of a weakening of the economic outlook and increasing downside risks to growth.

While strains in short-term funding markets have eased somewhat, broader financial market conditions have continued to deteriorate and credit has tightened further for some
businesses and households.

Moreover, incoming information indicates a deepening of the housing contraction as well as some softening in labor markets.

The Committee expects inflation to moderate in coming quarters, but it will be necessary to continue to monitor inflation developments carefully.

Appreciable downside risks to growth remain. The Committee will continue to assess the effects of financial and other developments on economic prospects and will act in a timely
manner as needed to address those risks.

Panel OKs Linking Bluffton Parkway to U.S. 278 Overpass

2007-12-12T06:56:00.000-08:00

A Beaufort County Council committee Tuesday followed a staff recommendation to link Bluffton Parkway to U.S. 278 with an overpass near Buckingham Landing. After that unanimous Public Services Committee vote, the issue now moves to the full County Council on Jan. 14 for the first of three readings.

Committee members spent more than two hours debating whether traffic on U.S. 278 warranted the parkway being extended so close to the bridges to Hilton Head Island.

Some members of Council disagree with engineering firms hired by the county over whether the Buckingham Landing solution they recommended made sense. The engineers have argued that increasing traffic over the bridges made the recommended solution the correct one. The Council members say a different set of state numbers show the traffic in the area leveling out.

A traffic engineer with consulting firm Wilbur Smith Associates, said he stood by the firm's studies. Even if traffic wasn't expanding, he said, the parkway's extension to Buckingham Landing would be necessary given the number of cars already on the road. County officials have said the extension is also necessary to serve as an alternate evacuation route in case of a hurricane.

The committee also approved plans to straighten the parkway between Buckwalter Parkway and Buck Island Road. Taken together, that straightening and the extension of Bluffton Parkway would cost $60 million.

The next major step, he said, was a full environmental study of the parkway's impact on wetlands.

Hilton Head Island Property Tax Relief

2007-10-25T08:02:00.001-07:00

Many Hilton Head Island property owners have started receiving their new tax bills as they hit mail boxes this week and some Beaufort County residents are pleased with the results of last year's tax reform.

The savings that property owners are receiving represent the portion of property taxes for owner-occupied homes that used to go for school operations. Those property taxes were eliminated by the state legislature. Before this year, homeowners had seen relief for up to the first $100,000 in value on their homes. The property-tax revenues for schools are to be made up with a 1-cent increase in the state's sales tax.

As an example, owners of a $300,000 owner-occupied home in southern Beaufort County will pay 30 to 38 percent less on their property over last year, saving anywhere between $610 and $698.80, depending on their tax district.

Not all taxpayers are thrilled, however, especially those with second homes or rental homes, which make up 60 percent of the county's tax base, and owners of commercial properties. The tax break applies only to owner-occupied residences.

Hilton Head Island Picked as Top 10 Great Family Beach

2007-06-13T14:59:00.000-07:00

ShermansTravel.com, a vacation and travel planning organization, has included Hilton Head Island to be on its list of Top 10 Beach choices. Here’s what they have to say:

Hilton Head Island's 14 miles of South Carolina beachfront are child-friendly indeed, with shallow waters, gentle waves, and sand dollar-dotted shores. Watch the water for a while and you'll likely spot frolicking pods of dolphins; you can even see the smiling mammals up close by chartering a dolphin cruise. With Harbour Town as your base, you can arrange cruises and water sports in the shadow of the island's iconic red-and-white-striped lighthouse, plus tee off on the most famous of Hilton Head's 25 golf courses—a great place to get the kids started on the sport!

So what are you waiting for?

Fantastic Beach Home in North Forest Beach -- Another Great Listing by The Hill Real Estate Group

2007-06-12T11:37:00.000-07:00

Magnificent 6 BR/5BA located at 50 Dune Lane in North Forest Beach! This 3rd Row Ocean home is inviting and comfortable and was completely rebuilt in 2005. Great room with vaulted beamed ceiling, dream kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless appliances, two first floor Master Bedroom suites(one with fireplace and one with balcony)screened porch and elevator to every floor including the heated pool/spa and the the Recreation/Grilling Area plus so much more. This home has the finest of designer touches througout and is a rental machine with over $110,000 in gross owner rentals in 2006 and the same for 2007! Take a look at this beautiful home, MLS#240808, at www.HiltonHeadHills.com and see what a great value this is.

Hilton Head Plantation Villa -- Hill Real Estate Group Lists and Sells Another Great Property

2007-06-11T13:14:00.001-07:00

THE BEST Governors Harbour villa on the market offering a Million Dollar View for about half the price! Breathtaking sunset views across Skull Creek from almost every room, including the spacious screened porch. Beautifully updated 3BR/2BA, 2nd floor end unit w/ marble entry, new hardwood floors, renovated kitchen w/beautiful cabinets, granite countertops and stainless appliances. Large deeded storage included. Closest building to Dock & Pool.

Largest short-term rental company on Hilton Head Island sold!

2007-06-06T12:32:00.000-07:00

Nashville-based Gaylord Entertainment sold its ResortQuest mainland business to BEI-RZT, a subsidiary of Leucadia National for $35 million in a transaction that closed this month. ResortQuest manages and rents about 700 vacation properties on the island, or roughly 15 to 20 percent of the local market, said Bill Haley, director of sales and marketing for ResortQuest Hilton Head.
Palmetto Dunes and Sea Pines are home to the majority of the company's Hilton Head properties. Haley said the sale will lead to less corporate involvement and more control for the local offices.

The company's local branches, like ResortQuest Hilton Head, will make all the decisions regarding management, marketing and other issues, Haley said.
Park Brady, a founder of the company who will serve as president and CEO of ResortQuest International, said in a memo to employees that employees should be excited about the new ownership. "The goal is to empower local managers so that they will have all the tools and authority they need to make decisions and effect changes locally," Brady wrote in the memo.

ResortQuest manages properties in Florida, Georgia, Delaware, Colorado, Utah, Idaho and British Columbia, as well as South Carolina.

Vacation Home Owners Beware Where You Call Home

2007-06-01T11:04:00.001-07:00

Vacation home owners who have residences in different states should be careful to make clear which house they call home, or they may trigger state income taxes in both places.

"It's an issue today with people shopping for low tax jurisdictions,” says Dan Meehan, a tax partner at New Jersey-based J.H. Cohn LLP, an accounting, auditing, and consulting firm.

Meehan recommends that those who move from high-tax states to one with lower taxes take care to switch addresses on passports, voter registrations, automobile, registrations, and driver’s licenses. They should file federal income-tax returns from their preferred address. It’s also important that people spend more than six months in their chosen state and keep good records so they can demonstrate that.

Seven states — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming — don't have a personal income tax. New Hampshire and Tennessee have only a very limited tax on some items.

Memorial Weekend Begins Fun in the Sun!

2007-05-25T11:42:00.000-07:00

This weekend kicks off the vacation season on Hilton Head Island as thousands of people will arrive to enjoy great times and sunny weather. Memorial Weekend marks the beginning of the annual migration of vacationers looking to make memories on our beautiful barrier island with lush golf courses, well groomed tennis courts and pristine beaches. On Sunday and Monday,(May 27th-28th), America Sings will Celebrate Memorial Day with an All American musical extravaganza featuring traditional choral works, patriotic songs and a special tribute to the Armed Forces. 2 locations: Sunday at First Presbyterian Church and Monday at Holy Family Catholic Church. www.hiltonheadchoralsociety.org

Wishing everyone a safe and fun-filled Holiday.

Home Sales Surge!

2007-05-24T09:11:00.000-07:00

The Commerce Department reported today that sales of new homes surged in April by the biggest amount in 14 years. It was also reported that the median price of a new home dropped by the largest amount on record. The mixed signals left no clear picture of whether the worst of the nation's housing slump is over. The report showed sales of new single-family homes jumped by 16.2 percent in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 981,000 units. That was far better than the tiny 0.2 percent gain that economists had been expecting. The median price of a new home sold last month fell to $229,100, a record 11.1 percent decline from the previous month. The big price decline indicated that builders are slashing prices in an effort to move a huge overhang of unsold homes. The jump in sales was the biggest increase since a 16.4 percent surge in new home sales that occurred in April 1993.
The strength in sales was led by a 27.8 percent surge in the South. Sales were also up in the West by 8.5 percent and in the Northeast, where they rose 3.8 percent.
Sales fell in the Midwest, dropping by 4 percent.
The drop in median prices in April compared to March was a record one-month decline. If the April sales price was compared to the sales price a year ago, the decline was 10.9 percent, the biggest year-over-year drop since 1970.

Bluffton Communities Exploding!

2007-05-11T08:14:00.000-07:00

The agents in our Charter I North Realty & Marketing office took a bus trip yesterday to get an idea of the new developments coming on-line in Bluffton and the surrounding areas. During our 7 1/2 hour trek we visited 20 new communities and saw a wide range of choices and price points. WE WERE AMAZED......at not only the number of communities coming on stream but the variety of lifestyle choices available to those looking for real estate today. Developers are definitely doing their market research to address the burgeoning "baby boomer" population that has emerged. Look for upcoming posts as I attempt to highlight some of these new opportunities.

2007-05-09T13:39:00.000-07:00

Legislation could help S.C. coastal residents with insurance. Coastal residents could see home insurance costs drop with a bill that received key approval Tuesday in the House.

The legislation is part of Insurance Director Scott Richardson's response to insurance rates rising as much as 400 percent in hurricane-prone areas. Insurers have dumped policies and raised premiums along the coast, leaving thousands of property owners uninsured or struggling to pay for protection.

State Rep. Harry Cato, R-Travelers Rest, said the insurance-friendly proposals already have helped stabilize the market. Some insurance companies that had planned to cancel more policies decided not to, said Cato, chairman of the House Labor Commerce and Industry Committee.

The bill, expected to cost the state $6 million, would offer sales and income tax breaks to residents who make their homes more hurricane resistant with improvements such as storm shutters. It creates a matching grant program for homeowners to apply for up to $5,000 to upgrade their homes and requires insurers give premium discounts for upgrades.

It would also allow homeowners to put money into tax-deductible hurricane savings accounts. Residents could use the accounts to offset large deductibles or forgo insurance altogether and self-insure.

The tax breaks would not apply to vacation homes. Those able to afford a second home on South Carolina's coast should not receive tax incentives, Cato said.

The bill, backed by Gov. Mark Sanford, also would give insurers tax credits for writing full-coverage policies along the coast and double to 60 days from 30 the notice required for homeowners before policies are canceled.

Sanford and Richardson advocated the bill in March when the director expanded the "wind pool," a state-run insurance program that helps provide coverage in areas where private insurers don't offer protection.

Sanford earlier this year appointed Richardson, a former insurance company owner.

Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said there are two ways a state can handle skyrocketing rates. "You can either drive insurers out of the market and drive up the rates or try the approach we're moving for and drive costs down," he said.

The bill requires another perfunctory vote before heading to the Senate.

Bright Lights of Hilton Head

2005-12-12T08:39:00.000-08:00

Well the Holiday Season is now in full swing as beautiful lights begin to shine brightly on Hilton Head Island. This particular home is so well done we just had to share it with you. Although it is 50 degrees outside this home looks like a "Winter Wonderland."

We will share more images of our "Island Wonderland" as they become available.

Cheers

Bluffton Building Lot

2005-11-12T08:16:00.000-08:00

Just Listed!!! Full size building lot in the very popular Victoria Bluff community in Bluffton, South Carolina.

This wooded view lot is just minutes to Hilton Head Island and the Colleton River Boat Landing. The owner has custom home plans available to preview.

Being offered at $142,000

Sea Pines Listing

2005-11-05T07:38:00.000-08:00

I have just listed a beautiful home in the Heritage Woods neighborhood of Sea Pines Plantation. This "Low County" design home is spacious and sits on a large lot.

This is a great family, second and rental home as it is being sold "designer furnished!"

This home is very spacious and features 4 bedrooms and 4 1/2 baths.

A special feature of this home is the very private "sanctuary" with heated pool and lush landscaping.

This home is being offered at $1,325,000

Spanish Wells Turns 35!

2005-10-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

Spanish Well Turns 35!

Spanish Wells Club owes its existence to just one individual – John McIntosh. His vision and generosity have made him a leader in the development of Hilton Head Island. Through his kindness and his love of golf he gifted the entire golf club to its members. With almost 300 members, the club remains what it was always intended by John, his father and siblings, who developed the Spanish Wells neighborhood along Broad Creek and Calibogue Sound on the islands north end. John McIntosh is quoted as saying, “It’s a really nice neighborhood golf course in a spectacular setting with all that water.” Some members may not even realize that the McIntosh dream for Spanish Wells is paying off so handsomely in real estate values today has roots as deep in the island’s history as the majestic live oaks that distinguish the golf course. The McIntosh family was part of the dream that marked the transformation of Hilton Head Island from a forgotten outpost to a bustling residential resort. John’s father, Olin T. McIntosh, was one of a handful of investors in the infamous 1949 land purchase that forever changed the face of Hilton Head. The senior McIntosh joined a group of Georgia lumbering associates in purchasing 20,000 acres on what was a sparsely populated island with no bridge. They paid an average of $60 per acre which they quickly got back from the selectively-cut timber on the land that had been serving as hunting preserves for some of America’s wealthiest individuals. The dream for Spanish Wells was simple, it was to have large lots of at least one acre and a laid back feeling to match the natural beauty. Spanish Wells had a cattle gate instead of a guard gate and it has never had any condominiums or anything commercial. John McIntosh says Spanish Wells was more of a feeling than a plan on paper, and the golf club is a big part of it. The original Spanish Wells houses, sort of like the original Sea Pines homes, were modest. As the interior lots came on the market they wrapped around the 82-acre golf course built by George Cobb in 1969. That was seven years after Cobb designed the Ocean Course in Sea Pines. Cobb also designed the Barony course in Port Royal(1963), the Sea Marsh course in Sea Pines(1967) and the Shipyard courses in 1970. He is best known for designing the Par-3 course at Augusta National Golf Club.
Looking back he thinks the dream has worked, not only for Spanish Wells, but for the whole island his father bought into. “I think it’s a great development. I think it was well done from the very beginning. Some say it’s too commercial, but it has a wonderful, permanent-residential relationship.”

Check Your Insurance Policy

2005-10-21T11:04:00.000-07:00

If there is anything "good" that has come of killer Hurricane's Katrina and Rita, it's that the massive storms have sent millions of home owners scurrying to determine if they have enough insurance coverage should a major catastrophe strike in their neck of the woods.
According to Marshall & Swift, an expert in building costs, nearly six out of every ten homes in Louisiana are underinsured. Similarly, the Los Angeles-based firm says almost 60 percent of all houses in the United States are not valued properly when it comes to insurance coverage -- by a whopping 22 percent, on average! If that's not enough to cause every owner in America to re-evaluate their policies, nothing will. But it is your responsibility, not your insurance agent's, to remain up-to-date on your coverage.
What's appropriate? You want to be able to completely rebuild your house if it is destroyed, and you'll want to be able to replace everything in it. Also, you'll want to be covered for additional living expenses if you cannot occupy your home as a result of the disaster. And while you're at it, you'll want enough liability coverage to protect yourself should someone be injured while on your property.
Many agents nowadays use a square footage methodology to determine replacement costs, but Marshall& Swift, which has been estimating construction costs for 75 years, says using a total component formula is better. Such a system uses databases to analyze and select detailed parts of a house to assemble estimates in a risk-specific manner.
For $19.95, the company has a web-based program that can calculate a replacement cost estimate based on the unique characteristics of your home, local building codes and local labor and material costs. The estimate is designed to help owners discuss their policy limits and coverage with their agents when reviewing their policies.
Absent that, Marshall & Swift, which provides valuation services to property and casualty insurers, says you should ask yourself these questions to determine if you need to adjust your coverage. If you can answer "yes" to any of them, call your agent pronto:
• Have you made a significant home improvement?
• Has it been more than 12 months since your insurer last calculated your replacement cost value? Also, did that calculation focus on any characteristics that make your place unique?
• Have housing values in your area risen or fallen dramatically in recent months?
• Does your policy include the value of the land beneath your house? If so, you have too much coverage. Land value should not be included.
• Do you know exactly how much your carrier will pay for specific perils -- fire, flood, wind -- in the event your house is destroyed.
• Do you know what percentage of your home's contents your policy insures? Most policies cover contents based on some percentage of the total replacement cost of the structure. So if you don't have adequate coverage, it could dramatically impact how much is paid for your belongings.

Our Local Newspaper

2005-07-18T11:31:00.000-07:00

One of the things I enjoy about a small town is the newspaper. Although our front page always highlights many of the national articles picked up from the AP or UPI news wires, it is always interesting reading the "local scoops." This being said I wanted to provide a little history on our "little" paper.

Before The Island Packet was purchased by the McClatchy newspaper group of Sacramento, Calif., in 1990, it spent 20 years quietly growing and expanding into the island's premier news source.

When the first issue of The Island Packet rolled off the presses on July 9, 1970, the publication became the third weekly newspaper on Hilton Head Island in little more than a century.

The New South and The Palmetto Herald -- two papers published a century before -- preceded The Packet. Those two papers covered the bustling Hilton Head Island town called Port Royal (located where Port Royal Plantation is now), the headquarters for the Union Army's Department of the South until shortly after the end of the War Between the States. The town had 50,000 people in 1865 at the height of the publication of the two weeklies.

More than one hundred years later, The Packet emerged as a Thursday tabloid in a town of 3,000.

The paper was founded by two men who worked at what was then the Hilton Head Company: retired career Foreign Service officer and former newspaperman Ralph Hilton and real estate salesman Tom Wamsley. Hilton was having lunch at the Port Royal Inn with his wife after church. At the next table were Lucy and Jonathan Daniels. Daniels was then editor emeritus of the Raleigh News and Observer, which the Daniels family owned. Daniels, a son of a former U.S. Secretary of the Navy, had been press secretary to Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II and an administrative assistant to Harry Truman.

The Daniels were about to return to Raleigh from a stay at their island house on Calibogue Cay when Daniels asked Hilton how his plans for a newspaper were shaping up. Hilton said the idea lacked money. Daniels offered his wife's money and suggested he, the author of more than a dozen books, would write a column free of charge.

When the time came to name the fledgling paper, the two men decided on The Island Packet after the packet boats that were the travel, delivery and communications link between barrier islands and the mainland along the Intracoastal Waterway.

Packet Milestones
1970: The Island Packet is born as a weekly tabloid on Thursday, July 9. The weekly's circulation is 362.
1973: The Packet, with a circulation of 4,621, is sold to the News and Observer Publishing Co. of Raleigh, N.C., for about $900,000. Publication expands to twice weekly.
1983: The format changes from tabloid to broadsheet, and the paper expands to three editions a week.
1985: Monday-through-Friday publication begins. Delivery switches from afternoon to morning. The paper begins carrying the Associated Press and other wire services.
1988: The Sunday Island Packet is launched.
1990: The Packet, with a daily circulation of about 12,000, is sold to the McClatchy newspaper group of Sacramento, Calif. The $74 million purchase includes The Packet's sister papers, The Beaufort Gazette and The (Rock Hill) Herald.
1994: The newspaper starts The Bluffton Packet, a weekly 12-page tabloid.
1995: The Packet expands to seven days a week with the addition of a Saturday edition.
1996: The newspaper starts The Sun City Packet, a monthly tabloid section for residents of Sun City Hilton Head, a retirement community.
1996: The newspaper starts Visitors Packet, a monthly, four-color visitors' brochure.
1997: The newspaper starts Newcomer's Packet, an annual, four-color booklet geared toward new residents of the Lowcountry.

All told it takes about 30 minutes to read The Packet from cover to cover. And that's the Sunday edition.

Moss Creek Plantation

2005-07-14T09:47:00.000-07:00

I haven’t mentioned this before, but in addition to the Wednesday “Island Real Estate Tour,” we also have the option on Thursday’s to visit properties for sale in the Bluffton marketplace. With the ever expanding marketplace this is a great way to get to see some of the beautiful real estate available in the Low Country.
I decided to focus this week on a beautiful community called Moss Creek Plantation. We should start with a little history. Throughout most of this century, the majority of the land which is now Moss Creek was an exclusive hunting preserve. For almost fifty years, the area was in fact three plantations adjoining each other owned by Harry Cram from Bluffton. In the early 1950's, Cram sold the three plantations, Fording Island, Moorefield, and Toppin to Pete Bostwick of Aiken, New York City and Palm Beach. At that time, this area was known as "Hog Bluff Plantation." Bostwick was an avid horseman and polo enthusiast who used the property as a part-time retreat.

In 1973, G. Stewart Smith and island architect Doug Corkern purchased the property from Bostwick. Their goal was to produce a quality residential, recreational community consistent with established levels of excellence found on Hilton Head, that provided an alternative to high prices, increasing densities, and increasing congestion of the island. The original 1973 plan called for 1,500 residential lots.
"Moss Creek" was selected as the name for the property. The name was fictional. No nearby creek carried that name. The name was selected to evoke an image of moss-draped Spanish Oaks amid meandering creeks and wetlands. Development of the property was started with the construction of the clubhouse and the "South Course" designed by George and Tom Fazio.

In 1975, the Milwaukee based insurance company, Northwestern Mutual Life, became the owner and developer of Moss Creek. The second golf course was completed by Tom Fazio in 1976. Twelve years later, Tom Fazio said, "Moss Creek continues to be among my group of favorite courses." For a number of years, the South Course was home to the Women's International, one of the most prestigious tournaments of the Lady's Professional Golf Association tour. Some of the LPGA's leading golfers won this tournament, including Kathy Whitworth, Sandra Palmer, Jan Stephenson, Nancy Lopez, Hollis Stacey, and Sally Little.

Moss Creek is a community designed to enable its homeowners the enjoyment of an active lifestyle within a private setting. With the plentiful activities of a vibrant Hilton Head Island at its doorstep, Moss Creek provides the perfect combination of a resort life and residential living. The recreational facilities are reserved exclusively for Members, their guests and guests of the Association. Purchasers of property in Moss Creek share in the ownership of all of its recreational facilities and common grounds as Members of the Moss Creek Owners Association.

Now for the Real Estate Tour. This impeccably kept three-level home is located at 57 Royal Pointe Drive and features 3 bedrooms/ 3 bathrooms with a fabulous marsh view. Constructed in 1995 this home has a wonderful floor plan and is beautifully appointed with top quality finishes throughout. For convenience this home has recently had a three level elevator added.

This home would make a wonderful primary or second residence and it has just been listed at $499,000.00
For more information on our wonderful Low Country Living please give me a call or send an email with your desires. It would be my pleasure to help you.

Hurricane Dennis -- A Bonus to Hilton Head Island.

2005-07-11T09:05:00.000-07:00

As Hurricane Dennis was bearing down on the Gulf Coast of Florida many vacationers began making alternative plans. Having spent 8 ½ years in the vacation rental business I learned that this is not a new phenomenon. In past years my partner and I always welcomed the additional business, however, you didn’t want it at the expense of others. Island vacation rental companies reported a spike in business toward the end of last week as Dennis strengthened. In an already busy summer tourism season for the island, Florida's loss became Hilton Head's gain.

Despite tight inventory during the summer months, depending on the size of the rental company, it is not uncommon to pick up anywhere from 15-30 last minute rentals on Thursday and Friday, over and above the usual level of business.

Based upon advanced bookings, the island was at 88 percent occupancy for the seven days through Sunday night, compared with last year's 83 percent, said Susan Thomas, vice president of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Visitor and Convention Bureau. But the final number may be higher once the last-minute bookings are tallied.

In 2003, occupancy for the same week was 82 percent and 66 percent in 2002, the summer following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The added business likely will prove significant for the local economy, officials say. The average summer tourist on the island spends $157 per person per day, according to chamber data, which includes all travel to and from the island from home and all spending while on vacation.

The average party size during the summer months is 4.8 people staying an average of 6.3 nights. That equates to $4,748 for the week. The economic impact is tremendous because of the effect it has on grocery stores, restaurants and area attractions.

Still plenty of time to come and enjoy our spectacular beaches so come and have some fun in the sun!

Helping the Lost!

2005-07-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful surprise this week when I literally bumped into someone interested in real estate. A very nice lady, whom I will leave unnamed from upstate New York, walked into the hallway leading to our offices on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. appearing very lost. I asked if she was looking for the Real Estate office or the Dental office which are both located on the same floor of our building. Looking fresh from the beach she proceeded to tell me that she and her family were interested in looking at some homes they had circled in some of the island real estate magazines they had with them, however, were turned away from the entry gate to Hilton Head Plantation by the security personnel. This was their first time to Hilton Head Island so I explained to her that it was true they needed to be escorted by a real estate agent and that I would be happy to assist them. Based upon their selections I did some quick research and determined that two of the homes were already sold but that I could make arrangements to show them the other three on their list. After previewing the homes I took the family on a tour of Hilton Head Plantation to help them get better acquainted with this beautiful community. Unfortunately, it was pouring down rain so they didn’t see it at its best. They thanked me for my time and said they would possibly like to see what else was available and would call back on Thursday if they decided to proceed.

Wednesday just happened to be the North Island Real Estate Tour Day so I did some extra homework on new listings for them just in case they made contact. Lo and behold I received a call from them on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. wanting to meet at 2:30 p.m... When we got together I gave them detailed maps and listing information showing the six homes in Hilton Head Plantation, one home in Bermuda Pointe and the final one in Sea Pines Plantation which is where they are staying for a 10 day vacation. After 3 hours together they found a home they absolutely loved, which happened to be a new listing just unveiled at Wednesday’s Tour Day. Because our real estate market is so active they understood that waiting too long to make a decision could cost them their first choice. Within ten minutes of leaving them after our time together they decided to make the offer on a home in Hilton Head Plantation. After some minor adjustments of the contract their offer was accepted today and the transaction will close on August 14th. Needless to say I am now spending a lot of my time in the hallway and parking lot looking for more lost soles to talk to.

So if you are interested in learning more about Real Estate in the Hilton Head Island/ Bluffton Area please send us an email and we would be happy to assist you by putting together a strategy that will help meet your goals. And if you already own property, and are looking forward to making a change, please let us know and we will send you updates on the island’s best opportunities.

North Island Real Estate Tour Day!

2005-07-06T09:08:00.000-07:00

It’s Wednesday so you know where I went today, the Hilton Head Island “Real Estate Tour!” This week I took the North Tour and came up with a couple of real gems. One of the homes I am going to talk about today is in the Ribault Island section of Hilton Head Plantation and the other is in Indigo Run.

We will start with the home on Ribault Island. WOW is about all I can say to describe this magnificent 6,500 square foot waterfront masterpiece. This home features 5 bedrooms (two are masters) and 6 full bathrooms. The interior quality is second to none and as you can see from the photos the panoramic view over the disappearing edge pool covers Port Royal Sound out to the Atlantic Ocean. With its deep water dock and electric boat lift there is no reason to look further for the ultimate in Hilton Head Island Living.

This magnificent property has just come on the market at a price of $3,200,000.00.

Golden Bear Golf and Much More!

This is the first time I have included any commentary about Indigo Run on Tour Day. Begun initially as a golf community in 1992, the Golden Bear at Indigo Run has become a “Must Play” for Hilton Head Island. This Jack Nicklaus-designed course is well known for its Low Country beauty & its wide variety of shot-making requirements. The Golden Bear is the ONLY course on the island to offer a state-of-the-art ParView GPS Electronic Caddy System on every cart.

This impeccably kept two-story home is located at 2 Balsams Court features 4 bedrooms/ 4 1/2 bathrooms and over 3,600 square feet of living space and a golf course view. Constructed in 2001 this home has a wonderful floor plan and is beautifully appointed with top quality finishes throughout.

This home would make a luxurious primary or second residence and it has just been listed at $899,000.00

For more information on our wonderful Low Country Living please give me a call or send an email with your desires. It would be my pleasure to help you.

Fourth of July on Hilton Head Island

2005-07-04T13:42:00.000-07:00

Well, it’s Fourth of July and we are going to have great weather for the upcoming Holiday Weekend. My family and I will be at the beach and according to the Chamber of Commerce the island is expecting the best week of the year with the rental homes, villas and hotels at nearly full capacity for the coming week. This is great news as Hilton Head Island continues to gain economic momentum.

In addition to the beach we look forward to Monday’s Fourth of July “Annual Fireworks Display.” Each Fourth of July Hilton Head Island is host to three, yes that’s right three, simultaneous shows held at convenient locations covering the island. On the north end, along with family and friends, we will attend the show at Skull Creek Marina which is close to our home in Hilton Head Plantation. Another display will be mid-island at Shelter Cove Marina and covering the south end of the island will be a display near Harbour Town Marina near the famed lighthouse.

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable Holiday.

Hilton Head Island – Development

2005-07-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

Modern Age

1950 marks the beginning of the Modern Age of Hilton Head Island. Electricity arrived in 1951 and the first telephone was installed in 1960. In the fifties, Charles Fraser and Fred Hack led a group of Georgia natives in the purchase of 19,000 of the Island's 25,000 acres. These farsighted men ended the use of Land for timbering and hunting, and began selling the Land to developers. They brought a system of land use that became the prototype of many other successful developments by focusing on preserving the natural environment.

Dirt roads gave way to paved ones. Beautiful bridges replaced Ferry boats accessing the Island. Residential Plantations were developed, often around original Plantation boundaries.

Rapid growth of the Island began in 1970, and the population has grown from 2,500 then to some 37,000+ in 2002. In 1970, The Island Packet, our present daily Newspaper, was first published as a 12 page tabloid. In 1975, the Island Hospital was built, and the Town population was then 6,500. In 1983, the Town of Hilton Head was Incorporated. Today, this beautiful sea island continues to offer Visitor and Resident alike a beautiful oasis featuring miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beaches, World Class golf, tennis recreation and a renewal of spirit as one finds himself surrounded, and enriched by, the peaceful beauty of nature.

Aaahhhhhh, come and join us for the Island Life!

Mid Island Real Estate Tour Day

2005-06-29T13:24:00.000-07:00

It’s Wednesday so you know where I went today, the Hilton Head Island “Real Estate Tour!” This week we took the Central Tour and came up with a new gem at Singleton by the Beach. This has been an up and coming area of the island over the past few years with many beautiful new homes.

Located at 5 Corrine Lane this featured property offers 4 bedrooms/ 5 bathrooms and over 3,900 square feet. As you can see from the pictures this home is beautifully appointed with top quality finishes and furnishings and nothing has been left out. From the marble floors and granite counters to the high end furniture this is true luxury within a short walk to the beach.

This home would make a luxurious primary or second residence, and also lends itself to the vacation rental market. Regardless which choice is selected this home will make someone very happy. Recently listed at $1,060,000.00

Look for my final installment on Hilton Head Island history in this Friday’s Blog.

Hilton Head Island – Early Plans for Today’s Living

2005-06-27T13:07:00.000-07:00

Modern Age
1950 marks the beginning of the Modern Age of Hilton Head Island. Electricity arrived in 1951 and the first telephone was installed in 1960. In the fifties, Charles Fraser and Fred Hack led a group of Georgia natives in the purchase of 19,000 of the Island's 25,000 acres. These farsighted men ended the use of Land for timbering and hunting, and began selling the Land to developers. They brought a system of land use that became the prototype of many other successful developments by focusing on preserving the natural environment.

Dirt roads gave way to paved ones. Beautiful bridges replaced Ferry boats accessing the Island. Residential Plantations were developed, often around original Plantation boundaries. Rapid growth of the Island began in 1970, and the population has grown from 2,500 then to some 37,000+ in 2004. In 1970, The Island Packet, our present daily Newspaper, was first published as a 12 page tabloid. In 1975, the Island Hospital was built, and the Town population was then 6,500. In 1983, the Town of Hilton Head was Incorporated. Today, this beautiful sea island continues to offer Visitor and Resident alike a beautiful oasis featuring miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beaches, World Class golf, tennis recreation and a renewal of spirit as one finds himself surrounded, and enriched by, the peaceful beauty of nature.

Today, thanks to our “founding fathers” master land plan, Hilton Head Island is used as a model for developers who want to create communities offering World Class Lifestyles, while at the same time living in harmony with nature.
Next time you need a “real break from the real world” come explore ours on Hilton Head Island.

Hilton Head Island – War and the Islands Role

2005-06-24T13:01:00.000-07:00

Revolutionary War
As talk of Revolution escalated in the Colonies, Hilton Head Island sided with the Colonists. Daufuskie Island, just 1 mile south of the Island, was occupied by the Tories. During the Revolution, the British frequently raided Hilton Head Island and hostilities continued for weeks after Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown.
During the war, the British burned Plantations on the Island and captured slaves who were later sold in the West Indies. After the war, the Island made a healthy recovery. This became the "Golden Age", as the crops of cotton, indigo, and rice flourished.

"Houses on the Island during this prosperous period between the Revolutionary and the Civil War, were not the pillared mansions of romantic novels. Although large and airy, the majority were not the owner's main house. Lavish Townhouses were kept in Beaufort or Savannah, or even Charleston." Many of these homes are still in use today.

The War of 1812 once again disrupted life on the Island, as the British invaded and burned most of the houses near deep water. When the War was over, the Island's booming economy returned and the good life resumed.

Civil War
South Carolina was among the richest of States, and Hilton Head Island was responsible for several millionaires. South Carolina was the 1st State to secede from the Union on December 20, 1860. The Civil War began April 12, 1861, with Confederates firing on Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor. In January, 1861, General Robert E. Lee was assigned command of the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia, and East Florida. By October of 1861, 77 Union ships sailed from Virginia to Port Royal. On board were 13,000 troops, 1500 horses, 500 surf boats, and 1,000 laborers to build a town and fortress for the blockade of the South.

In November, 1861, after surviving a hurricane off Cape Hatteras, the small armada circled Port Royal Sound, firing at all settlements in the area. By noon of that day, on November 7th, the Confederates knew the battle for the area was lost, and fled before the invading forces of the Union. Victory that day for the Union meant freedom for 1,000 slaves. The Yankees were here to stay until the War's end. Fort Mitchel was built in 1862. It was named for General Ormsby Mitchel, a well liked leader, who died of malaria that year.

Eventually, Union Forces reached 50,000 on the Island. The blockade of Savannah was accomplished, preventing the Confederacy from exporting cotton and importing supplies from Europe. Hilton Head was Headquarters for the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. The Island became the transfer point for prisoners of war and the wounded as well as Union Soldiers on their way to battle and tons of supplies. Black males on the Island and in the surrounding area were pressed into service, becoming the first Black troops for the Union. The money they earned as soldiers enabled them, after the War, to buy land on Hilton Head Island. General Mitchel, before his death, began construction of adequate housing for several thousand homeless Blacks who had gathered on the island since the War began. Mitchelville was the first town developed specifically for the freedmen. It had almost 1,500 residents.

During this time, their children attended schools and they lived in this housing for the duration of the War. After Lee's surrender at Appomatox, the Federal troops departed for the North. Only Mitchelville inhabitants remained. With the passage of time Mitchelville disappeared, and the island was left to nature and the freed slaves. Hilton Head Island was again forgotten. Small communities of former slaves sprang up on the island. These communities consisted of farmers, fishermen, basket weavers and fishnet makers. Summer was for farming, winter was for harvesting oysters and in the fall the "blue crab" was caught. Island navigators piloted boats between Savannah and the island.

"Gullah", a blend of slave, native, cadence, and Elizabethian English was spoken here. This rich Culture, developed over the years of slavery, survives to this day. Old spirituals and songs were made up and used by slaves as codes for meeting times and places and as messages for freedom. The songs and stories also spoke of storms and other events in the lives of the slaves. As interest in the history of African-Americans on Hilton Head grows more evidence of their lifestyle is being preserved. The Gullah culture continues as community leaders encourage its preservation.

By 1890, Northerners again came, this time to hunt and fish the abundant game. 1,000 acres in Leamington Plantation were sold to the North Carolina Hunt Club. Money was scarce and the Islanders bartered for goods and services. In 1931, more land was acquired for hunting purposes, including those remaining lands owned by the Federal Government. By now, the black population was around 300. Access to the island was by water only.

During WW2, the Leamington Lighthouse was the site of Camp McDougal, used by the Shore Patrol. Gun emplacements for target practice out over the Atlantic are still visible south of the Marriott Hotel as the sands shift with the tides. These join Indian relics and landmarks of the Revolution and Civil War that are found throughout the island.

Next time, the final installment in this series.

Have a great weekend.

Hampton Hall – Another Great Community

2005-06-22T12:56:00.000-07:00

It’s Wednesday and normally that means “Tour Day” for me, however, today I was with a couple from Michigan who were looking for a retirement home. We spent the day looking at various homes and evaluating their options. Because they are very open minded as to living either on Hilton Head Island or in one of the newer communities in Bluffton we really took our time to fine tune our search for the ideal community. After viewing many properties and their surrounding communities we zeroed in Hampton Hall.

Hampton Hall features a Pete Dye Golf Course, and, that’s just the beginning of the many fine amenities available in this classy community. You can re-energize yourself with the myriad of activities available at the state-of-the-art Sports Complex. Depending on how you want to work out on a given day, available to you are an indoor lap pool, high-tech fitness center, aerobics room, and a massage and steam room. After you've worked up an appetite, you can stop by the Lakefront Café for a healthy snack or beverage.

This community is establishing itself for the active lifestyle, with an array of walking paths, large community pool and tennis courts and a large Community Clubhouse. The Clubhouse amenities include a Library, a Billiard Room, Card Rooms and Club meeting rooms. The choices are endless.

If you would like to find out more about our beautiful Low Country Lifestyle please give me a call or drop an email with your desires. I would love to help you find your next home.

Until next time.

Showing Property and Having a Great Time

2005-06-20T12:51:00.000-07:00

I had a great weekend, spent some time with family and met with a couple from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania on Sunday afternoon as they are relocating to our area. As we have discussed in earlier articles our Low Country landscape is continuing to evolve with wonderful new housing developments for all types of needs and interests. This couple is looking for a home in the $150 – 175,000.00 range and they would prefer a location convenient to both Hilton Head and Savannah. Anticipating their needs I went on a preview of properties on Saturday to get an idea of what was currently on the market in both resale and new developer properties. I earmarked 7 homes that fit their criteria in a newer subdivision called The Farm. The homes and townhouses we looked at were all very nice but they needed to see something else for comparison purposes. I then took them to a prearranged appointment at a new development called Bluffton Park. They really liked the feel of the community as well as the variety of floor plans being offered.

The community will have an array of walking paths and a large community pool. As you can see from the photo above the entrance to the community features a welcoming lake with fountain.
If you would like to find out more about our beautiful Low Country Lifestyle please give me a call or drop an email with your desires. I would love to help you become a neighbor.
Until next time.

Hilton Head Island – Discovery And How We Got Our Name!

2005-06-17T12:47:00.000-07:00

On Monday I mentioned that I had begun reading a great book by author Margaret Greer titled, "The Sands Of Time, A History of Hilton Head Island." Today I will offer some excerpts on the discovery and early life of the island.

Hilton Head Island Discovered
English Captain William Hilton, in August of 1663, while exploring the Port Royal Sound, sighted the high bluffs of the Island, and named it for himself, "Hilton Head." The word "Head" refers to the headlands visible to them as they sailed the uncharted waters. He lingered several days, making note of the trees, crops, and also the sweet water and clear sweet air.

The first English development in the Low Country began in 1698. Indian attacks, sponsored by the Spanish, continued to harass the settlers in the area. In 1717, Col. John Barnwell was granted a thousand acres on the NW corner of Hilton Head Island by the Lord Proprietors. He became the first white settler. By 1766, 25 families lived on Hilton Head Island. In 1742 the SC colonial half-galley Beaufort, commanded by Captain David Cutler Braddock, was stationed in the cove at the southern point of the Island to guard against Spanish intrusions. The point and the cove have carried the name Braddock ever since.

For those of you familiar with the island Braddock Cove comes in from the Calibogue Sound area of South Beach in Sea Pines to the marina where The Salty Dog Café is located.

Well the weekends here and we will be showing property to a couple relocating from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. We’ll also make time for the beach.
Until next time.

North Island Real Estate Tour Day!

2005-06-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

It’s Wednesday so you know what that means, “Real Estate Tour Day!” here on Hilton Head Island. This week is the North End and this week’s focus is Hilton Head Plantation.

There were two homes that caught our attention on this week’s tour.

The first home is in a beautiful section of Hilton Head Plantation called Stone Gate. The homes are all similar in appearance on the outside with wonderfully designed living spaces for today’s life style.

This home featured 3 bedrooms/ 2 ½ baths and over 2,500 square feet of living space. With its beautiful lagoon view this home won’t be on the market for long at $649,000.00.

We then ventured to one of my most favorite places on the entire island, the Skull Creek section of Hilton Head Plantation. Homes in this area have one of the finest views possible of Low Country wildlife on the intracoastal waterway.

This home has 4 bedrooms/5 ½ baths, and, well you be the judge of the views.
Until next time, have a great day!

Hilton Head Island – History at Every Turn!

2005-06-13T12:25:00.000-07:00

To those of us who are privileged to call Hilton Head Island home, and for those of you that enjoy coming to our piece of paradise each year, we don’t often take the time to recognize the treasure trove of history that makes our island so special. I have begun reading a wonderful book by author Margaret Greer titled, "The Sands Of Time, A History of Hilton Head Island" first published in 1989. Ms. Greer has been an Island Resident since 1961. I am a slow reader so over the next few weeks I will be sharing some of the interesting facts as I uncover them.

Hilton Head Island is more than just another Resort or growing Town by the Sea. She is a Lady with a past; a Lady who is beautiful, sometimes sinful, always controversial. This makes her intriguing and causes people to return again and again, if they cannot linger for a lifetime. Her rich History dates back 10,000 to 15,000 years when Paleo-Indians roamed the area which is today called the Low Country.

The Archaic Period 8,000 - 2,000 BC saw the Woodland Indians living here seasonally (Fall & Winter ) subsisting on the bounty of the waterways and rich soil. Shell Ring Sites from this period are found today on Hilton Head Island .

Early History
The written History of Hilton Head Island began with the Spaniards in 1526, as they explored the coastal waters from Key West to the St. Lawrence, naming it "La Florida". They found Indian settlements and evidence of agriculture. (With the arrival of the Europeans, the Indians fate was signed, so that by the year 1662, most of the Indians were gone due to European abuse and disease. But, they left a rich legacy of names and archaeological treasures still being unearthed today).
Captain Jean Ribaut, a French Huguenot, led an exposition to the area in 1562. He built a fort, named Port Royall near the present town of Port Royal in Beaufort County. In 1566, the Spanish again prevailed and established a Fort named Santa Elena on Paris Island ( St. Helena ), in what is now Beaufort County. From here they explored westward into the new world. As the scale of power tipped in Europe, England's Elizabeth I sent Sir Francis Drake, in 1586, to drive the Spanish from "La Florida". English development did not commence until 1663, when then King Charles II granted the Coastal Area to 8 Lord Proprietors. They named their territory "Carolina".

Don’t forget, Wednesday is Tour Day so stop by and check out some great new listings.

Update on New Property Listing!

2005-06-10T17:52:00.000-07:00

Well it didn’t take long. Since our property listing in Bluffton we have received several inquiries into the home site in Bluffton. Not only did we receive several inquiries and have some showings this week, we actually received an offer which my client accepted today as we go to press. On the market less than 7 days, this lot sold close to full price.

This was not your ordinary sale. I had placed a For Sale sign on the property last Friday. After a flurry of activity my cell phone completely stopped ringing. I went to the property and, as it turns out, my sign disappeared. As I went to replace it I asked a neighbor living next door to the lot if he had any knowledge of the signs disappearance and he said no. During the conversation I asked him if he, or anyone he knew, would have an interest in the property. Wouldn’t you know it he made an offer right then which, after one counteroffer, made him the successful purchaser? He decided that he didn’t want any neighbors this close to him so he purchased the property for the green space.

As this sale shows we are experiencing a very active real estate market. If you are considering an investment into Real Estate in the Hilton Head Island/ Bluffton Area please send us an email and we would be happy to assist you by putting together a strategy that will help meet your goals. And if you already own property, and are looking forward to making a change, please let us know and we will send you updates on the island’s best opportunities.

Have a great weekend!

Mid Island Real Estate Tour Day

2005-06-08T11:47:00.000-07:00

It’s Wednesday and today we are once again taking advantage of “Real Estate Tour Day” here on Hilton Head Island. This weeks’ tour is “mid-island” and was highlighted by a beautiful home in Long Cove Club. Long Cove Club is considered by many to be the premier golf community in the Southeast. This community revolves around a Pete Dye Signature Golf Course that is ranked not only tops in the state of South Carolina, but, is also highly recognized on a national level.

Today’s featured home is a brand new beauty featuring 4 bedrooms/4 ½ baths and a 3car garage. This Southern Lifestyle Home offers many of the features today’s discriminating buyer is looking for. A large outdoor jacuzzi with waterfall, covered porch and a summer kitchen. Wood and saturnia marble are highlighted throughout. The kitchen features stainless appliances and granite counters. Simply stated, “FANTASTIC!” This beautiful home offers the finest in style and comfort.

If you would like to learn more about Long Cove Club, or any of Hilton Head Island’s fine golf communities, we would like to offer you a personalized tour. You can also put me to work by simply sending an email with your interests and I will keep you up to date with what Hilton Head Island has to offer in our very active Real Estate Market.

Until next time, Warmest Island Regards!

HOT, HOT, HOT!!!

2005-06-06T11:37:00.000-07:00

And we’re not talking about the weather. The Hilton Head Island Real Estate market continues to show strong appreciation and the trend is not slowing down. We recently sat down and did an analysis of the real estate sales for this market over the past 15 years.
Although not true in every case, this breakdown will show just how desirable Hilton Head Island continues to be:

1990 - 0%
1991 - 0%
1992 - + 5%
1993 - + 7%
1994 - + 8%
1995 - + 8%
1996 - +10%
1997 - +12%
1998 - +15%
1999 - +15%
2000 - + 5%
2001 - - 5%
2002 - 0%
2003 - + 7%
2004 - +25%

And for 2005? The market continues to appreciate at +2% per month! Property inventories continue to be lower than demand and thus pricing continues to rise. The Hilton Head Island and Bluffton Real Estate markets are still considered under valued and, with very favorable interest rates, we expect this trend will continue.

If you are considering a real estate investment into our beautiful Low Country, please give me a call. Allow me the opportunity to help you develop just the right strategy to meet your goals.

Don’t forget, Wednesday is Tour Day. Stop by and check out some great new listings.

A New Listing!

2005-06-03T11:29:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful week we have enjoyed here on Hilton Head Island. Today brought an opportunity for me to list a building home site in the Bluffton area. The town of Bluffton is located just across the bridge leading to Hilton Head Island. There are many new developments coming on stream in the Bluffton area at this time and they are enhancing our beautiful Low Country landscape. This is going to be a fun opportunity for me to help a friend sell this home site which is located in an area near the May River. This particular piece of property lies among homes built in the 1950’s and 60’s as small fishing camps.

If you are considering an investment into Real Estate in the Hilton Head Island/ Bluffton Area please send us an email and we would be happy to assist you by putting together a strategy that will help meet your goals. And if you already own property, and are looking forward to making a change, please let us know and we will send you updates on the island’s best opportunities.

We will keep you posted on the progress of this new property listing.

Have a great weekend!

South Island Real Estate

2005-06-01T13:03:00.000-07:00

It’s Wednesday and we once again look forward to “Real Estate Tour Day” here on Hilton Head Island. This weeks’ tour is “south-island” and was highlighted by a beautiful home in North Forest Beach. Appropriately named “Sea Castle,” this large 8 bedroom, 6 ½ bath oceanfront home offers the finest in style and comfort. With 6 of the bedrooms offering direct ocean views this home is the ultimate rental property or second home. This 7,400 sq. ft. gem features three separate living areas, a huge media/play room and, the first time I have seen this in a private residence, a large heated pool with an attached “baby pool.”

I would love to have the opportunity to offer you a personalized tour of the island, or, simply send an email with your interests and I will keep you up to date with what Hilton Head Island has to offer in our very active Real Estate Market.

Until next time, Warmest Island Regards!

Memorial Day – Hilton Head Style!

2005-05-30T09:27:00.000-07:00

Wow what a great day this is. Palm trees blowing gently in the breeze, temperatures in the middle 80’s and nothing but Carolina Blue Skies! My family and I, like many who have traveled to Hilton Head Island for the weekend, took time to enjoy each other at the beach. Our youngest son Evan spent most of his day building a very large sand castle complex. By the time it was complete it looked like a new condo development “on the beach.”

Our older son Alex spent his time with his buddies on “boogie boards” in the surf. A great day was had by all as we finished by having our traditional hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. Island life doesn’t get any better than this!

Wednesday is tour day so stay tuned for our next installment.

WILD AND WONDERFUL HILTON HEAD ISLAND!

2005-05-27T07:44:00.000-07:00

Just in case you were wondering, people are not the only ones to enjoy Hilton Head Islands beautiful beaches. When Amy Lutmerding saw turtle tracks heading up the beach -- and not back down to the ocean -- she knew there was trouble. So she followed the turtle's tracks over the dune, through yards along South Forest Beach and even into driveways.

Jayme Davidson of the area Sea Turtle Protection Project said they finally found the turtle sitting in pine straw on a side yard between two homes at about 7 a.m. Thursday. "She was just sitting there on the grass looking around, completely disoriented," said Lutmerding, who also works with the area turtle group.
Based on the tracks on the beach, the female turtle had come ashore sometime before or with the high tide at about 10:20 p.m. Wednesday night. She laid a nest of eggs, one of the beach's first of the year. But instead of heading back to the ocean, the turtle headed for the neighborhood. Immediately after finding the wayward turtle, Lutmerding and Davidson tapped Shore Beach Service and the Town of Hilton Head Island Fire and Rescue Division to help get the reptile back into the water. They loaded the turtle, which weighed about 500 pounds and was about 4 feet long, into the back of a beach service trailer and took her to Coligny Beach. She took it from there.
"When she saw the ocean, she moved quickly," Lutmerding said. The turtle had some superficial scratches on her stomach and flippers, but should be fine. Turtle protection officials aren't sure what caused this turtle to head away from the ocean instead of toward it. They will be checking the area to make sure residents aren't violating the town's ordinance against light on the beach, which can disorient turtles.
Until next week, warmest island regards and have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

North-End Tour Day

2005-05-25T17:59:00.000-07:00

Wow time flies, I Love Wednesday’s because it’s “Real Estate Tour Day” once again! This week is our North Island Tour so we explored some fresh new listings in Hilton Head, Indigo Run and Palmetto Hall Plantations.

With approximately 4,000 acres, I decided to call Hilton Head Plantation home when I moved to Hilton Head Island because of its “residential feeling” with great neighborhoods and amenities this is an ideal family community.

We saw several homes today in Hilton Head Plantation but the most memorable was an older home on Herring Gull Lane. With sweeping, unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean & Port Royal Sound, this home sits on a spectacular waterfront lot. This home has been recently remodeled with new floors and kitchen. The real value in this property is the Estate sized lot for future building. Even though the lot sits directly on the Port Royal Sound, it is outside of what we call the velocity-zone which means that future construction of a home will result in substantial savings on building costs and insurance. The lot value alone is worth the $1,200,000.00 asking price. (MLS#218477)

Next tour stop was a short drive to Indigo Run Plantation. Indigo Run which is a wonderful golf community complete with two(2) Jack Nicklaus golf courses and beautiful amenities. This beautiful 4,700 sq. ft. home is charming from the outside and expansive on the inside, featuring 4 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, plus office, bonus room and media room! The fantastic family room and kitchen combo view the 16th fairway of The Golf Club Course. A terrific value today at $979,000.00. (MLS#218629)

Our final tour stop was in Palmetto Hall Plantation, one of the new communities on the island featuring signature golf courses by renowned designers Robert Cupp and Arthur Hills. The tour featured a bright and open 4,100 sq. ft. Southern Living style home located in a cul-de-sac on the 15th hole of the Robert Cupp course with a nature preserve across the street. This very open home features all of the latest finishes including hardwood flooring and Corian counters. This home is an unbelievable value at $789,000.00. (MLS#218310)

If you would like the opportunity for a personalized tour of the island, or, if you would like to be kept abreast of our very active Real Estate Market simply send an email with your interests and I will keep you up to date.

Until next time, Warmest Island Regards!

Latest Housing Consumer Trends Focus On Upscale Amenities

2005-05-23T08:02:00.000-07:00

Given the choice between more space or higher quality features, new home buyers are overwhelmingly opting for the latter, according to the latest survey data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

When asked to choose between a bigger house with fewer amenities or a smaller house with high quality products and amenities, 63 percent of the home owners surveyed by NAHB opted for the latter. To pay for those quality features, 57 percent said they preferred for them to be included in the base price of the home; while 43 percent wanted them to be offered as options at extra cost.

“One particular consumer trend stands out: While homes do not appear to be getting bigger, they are definitely getting better. There is a marked increase in quality, with updated features and amenities,” said Jerry Howard, executive vice president and CEO of NAHB.

The households who were surveyed indicated enthusiasm for just about every upscale feature available, Howard said, but became more realistic in their views when they were asked to choose among alternatives.

Among several other observations on what people want in their new homes:

- The top features home owners want in the kitchen are a walk-in pantry (84 percent), island work area (77 percent), special use storage (62 percent) and built-in microwave (62 percent).

- Thirty-seven percent said they wanted their kitchens visually open to the family room, with a half wall; 34 percent want the two completely open.

- The top bathroom features were a linen closet (91 percent), exhaust fan (88 percent) and separate shower enclosure (78 percent).

- Nine-foot ceilings are now a standard height, up from eight feet previously. “Consumers say it provides more openness, more light and makes the home feel bigger,” said Howard.

- Younger households prefer their washer and dryer to be located near the bedroom; older households prefer them near the kitchen.

- Brick was preferred by 44 percent of respondents as the front exterior wall material for their homes.

- Asked to choose between more space in the master bedroom and less in the master bath or the opposite, 69 percent chose more bedroom space. “Some of the master baths have been
getting bigger than the bedrooms themselves,” Howard said.

After growing steadily since 1970, the average home size leveled off during the past three years and stood at 2,340 square feet in 2004. This is close to the 2,426 square feet that home owners said they would like to have, according to Howard.

Looking at trends for the next five years, he predicted growing popularity for low-maintenance, natural materials; synthetic stucco; energy efficiency; and security on the outside of the home.

Inside, open space, quality features, technology and special purpose rooms are on the upswing.

An emerging trend in the higher end market is the advent of a “flex” room or “bonus” room situated above three-car garages.

“These rooms can be over 1,000 square feet and include a full-bath. We are finding that home owners are using them for a variety of purposes – as an in-law suite, a guest room, home office or media room,” said Howard.

Taking Care Of Our Beautiful Beaches

2005-05-20T10:24:00.000-07:00

We all know the reason most people enjoy Hilton Head Island is because of our pristine beaches. Local Town engineer Scott Liggett said that a recent survey showed that beaches expected to lose large amounts of sand, such as North Forest Beach, did lose sand. But the stretch of beach from the mid-island Folly to Fish Haul Creek lost more sand than expected in specific areas, such as near Port Royal Plantation's beach club. That area lost about 93,000 cubic yards, or about 45 percent, of the sand put on that beach during the town's 1997 re-nourishment project.

He said the town in March applied to the state Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to alter the town's permit application to include about 15,700 feet of shoreline from the Folly to Fish Haul Creek. The application doesn't include an approximately one mile stretch of shoreline at the heel of the island because it's a critical bird habitat area.

Liggett said that even though the town is asking for permission to put sand on the 15,700-foot stretch, it won't make the ultimate decision about whether to re-nourish there until right before the project gets under way. The town included that stretch in its 1990 and 1997 re-nourishment projects, but officials hadn't seen as many erosion problems as in previous years, so they weren't sure whether the additional sand would be needed.

Town Council hasn't decided whether to do the next re-nourishment project during the winter or summer, but it could start early as spring 2006. The cost for re-nourishment is expected to be higher in the winter, but it would mean the disruptive work wouldn't be done during the height of the tourism season.

The analysis of the October survey showed not only specific areas to be included in the re-nourishment application, but also indicated that sand had moved around in other areas. The beach in Sea Pines had lost some sand due to the busy tropical storm season, Liggett said. But that area doesn't need to be re-nourished because the sand moved from the dry beach to an area just offshore. That sand is expected to migrate naturally back to the dry beach during the summer.

Until next week, warmest island regards and have a great weekend!

Tour Day

2005-05-18T16:14:00.000-07:00

Well it must be Wednesday as once again it’s “Real Estate Tour Day” here on Hilton Head Island. This weeks’ tour took us “mid-island” and included beautiful listings in Palmetto Dunes Plantation and Port Royal Plantation. Palmetto Dunes is known for it’s unique “resort feel” with oceanfront and near ocean homes and villas. The resort feeling comes from the fact that many of these properties are available for rental on a short-term vacation basis.

Our first stop in Palmetto Dunes Plantation was to preview an incredible “Italian inspired estate.” We were absolutely blown away by this 4,600+ square foot home which was completed in 2001. From the magnificent landscaping, guest quarters with spa to the short walk to the beach, nothing has been left to the imagination.

The next stop was to look at a beautiful home in a very private setting in Port Royal Plantation. This part of Hilton Head Island is strictly residential and has direct access to the Atlantic Ocean. (Some of the best shelling and shark tooth collections are found on this stretch of beach!) One of the dramatic features of this home is the main living area which is located on the middle level. With the expansive continuous glass wall in the living room all you see is ocean. The direct oceanfront pool offers easy access to the beach.

Our final tour stop was a short drive from the beach to another beautiful location in Port Royal Plantation. This home, which is located on a large lot, offers views from almost every room of Miller’s Pond. Surrounded by beautiful Live Oaks this home offers a front row seat to the activities of the birds and wildlife who call the pond their home.

I would love to have the opportunity to offer you a personalized tour of the island, or, simply send an email with your interests and I will keep you up to date that Hilton Head Island has to offer in our very active Real Estate Market. Until next time, Warmest Island Regards!

Interesting Listing

2005-05-16T08:10:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful weekend we enjoyed here on Hilton Head Island. I had my first opportunity to be part of an open-house in Bluffton on Sunday afternoon. Bluffton, South Carolina is located just across the bridge leading to Hilton Head Island. There are many new developments coming on stream in the Bluffton area at this time and they are enhancing our beautiful Low Country landscape. What made my opportunity so exciting is the fact that this home was originally built in 1986 in an older “rural setting.” The home has been completely renovated over the past three years by a local architect, sits on a five acre lot and is absolutely beautiful. An added bonus for this unique listing is the fact that it affords a buyer the opportunity to build a horse barn if they would like and, with a State Park across the street, offers the ability to ride over 100 miles of trails. As you can see our local Real Estate market is very diverse and offers something for everyone. If you are considering an investment into Real Estate in the Hilton Head Island/ Bluffton Area please send us an email and we would be happy to assist you by putting together a strategy that will help meet your goals. And if you already own property, and are looking forward to making a change, please let us know and we will send you updates on the island’s best opportunities.

Don’t forget “Tour Day” is Wednesday so tune in for exciting new Real Estate offerings from the mid-island area!

Market Moves

2005-05-13T07:08:00.000-07:00

Hilton Head Island is enjoying one of the strongest Real Estate markets in recent memory. Contributing factors are the fact that “baby boomers” are increasing in very rapid numbers and “investors” continue to find Real Estate as an excellent alternative to putting money into the stock market. And what other investment can you have with a beautiful view? I owned and operated a property management company here on the island for 8 ½ years and had the pleasure of working with some very savvy property owners. The constant theme for each of them was the fact that they had taken a look at many areas of the country before deciding that Hilton Head Island was the right choice for investment, enjoyment and ultimately retirement. Equally rewarding was the fact that I was able to guide many of these individuals as they were doing their market research and property evaluations because of the experience I had gained by watching the rental trends in the vacation(weekly rentals) and long-term(annual leases) markets. We found that by taking the time to listen to their goals and objectives we were able to assist in finding just the right property for them. The most common goal is simply to just “get into the market” with the plan to hold the home or villa for a couple of years, update the property and enjoy the appreciation, then sell and move up to the next level. If you are considering an investment into Hilton Head Island Real Estate please send us an email and we would be happy to assist you by putting together a strategy that will help meet your goals. And if you already own property, and are looking forward to making that next step, please let us know and we will send you updates on the island’s best opportunities.

Until next week, warmest island regards and have a great weekend!

Real Estate Tour Day

2005-05-11T19:02:00.000-07:00

Wednesdays are “Real Estate Tour Day” here on Hilton Head Island. Each week we get to see some of the fantastic Real Estate listings which are currently on the market. Each week the tour rotation goes to a specific area of the island. For instance last week we toured what we call the North End which includes Hilton Head Plantation, Palmetto Hall Plantation, Indigo Run, Spanish Wells Plantation and some of the “non-plantation” properties oriented toward that end of the island. Today our tour took us to famous Sea Pines Plantation and the islands newest “hot market” North and South Forest Beach. Next week we will be touring Mid-Island which includes Shipyard Plantation, Palmetto Dunes Plantation, Wexford Plantation, Long Cove Club and Port Royal Plantation, as well as, a few non-plantation properties so tune in each week to get a look at the “latest and greatest” the island has to offer.

As for today’s tour we were in awe of a beautifully renovated home in Sea Pines Plantation. So close to the beach you could smell the salt spray!

We then ventured to North Forest Beach, our downtown if you will, to look at a beautiful ocean oriented home. This brand new home leaves nothing to the imagination for the discriminating buyer of island real estate.

Welcome to the Hilton Head Island Real Estate Blog

2005-05-09T13:13:00.000-07:00

I am David Hill, a Licensed Broker with Charter I North Realty & Marketing. I started this real estate blog to inform readers about our real estate market - prices, trends, happenings - as I see it. These days it seems like everywhere I go ... everyone talks about real estate! I have developed a strong background in building client relationships one transaction at a time by combining customer-oriented, "high touch" service, to ensure customer satisfaction. Whether you're a first time homebuyer, purchasing a vacation condominium or looking for an oceanfront estate, I can help you!

I’ve spent the past eight years running a vacation rental company on the island, so in some ways I feel like I’ve seen it all when it comes to this place. After selling my property management company, I decided to affiliate myself with Charter I North Realty & Marketing because I feel they’ve earned a strong reputation over the last quarter-century for responding to customer needs and for creating sales initiatives designed to meeting their client’s objectives. With our extensive real estate experience we consider ourselves "counselors" and "advisors" to our clients and friends.

I’ll do my best to post what I see happening from day to day here on the island. Feel free to drop me a note if you have a specific question.

Here we go…