Hilton Head Island, SC Real Estate Professional

It's always such a joy to have the opportunity to get to see oceanfront homes on Hilton Head Island.  Even more of a joy when the home turns out to be as stunning as the ocean view!

Yesterday morning as the sun was gleaming off the beach in Palmetto Dunes, I visited a home on Night Hawk. Offered by a fellow Realtor(R), this home exemplifies all that is potential and wonderful about the options on Hilton Head.

While we in general don't have Frank Gehry style architecture and some would say that it is not creative, the beauty of this home on Night Hawk surpasses all that.

The architectural details of a cut out window high in the powder room wall, to the mixture of contemporary, traditional, and features of the beach. This home has it all!

You sweep into the entry from travertine steps, flanked by steel railings that won't rust (even thought this is OCEANFRONT), you enter the foyer and witness the power of the ocean. The furnishings are exemplary because they complement the style of the home without overwhelming it.  The colors might be found right on the sand at your back door; sea foam, soft beige, a splash of the color of a junonia shell. The living room is balanced with a stone front fireplace, kitchen with glass front cabinets,

Now why do I wax poetic on a home that is not even my listing? Because it is amazingly priced for oceanfront, for the view, and reminds us that Hilton Head is filled with great homes at great prices. The prices in Palmetto Dunes have INCREASED since 2010 - so the question as to whether or not the market has hit bottom has certainly been answered for this community.  If you would like additional information on this, or any other home in Palmetto Dunes, please feel free to give me a call - your Resort and Second Home Specialist in the luxury market.

It's winter in the lowcountry! How do I know that when the temps remain in the 60-70 degree range you might ask? (Though by some decision by Mother Nature today brought a cold, windy day) Though the shiny thick magnolia leaves cling to the brances since they are actually evergreens, the fragrant flowers have dropped and huge pods with bright red seeds hang there instead.

A favorite area on Hilton Head Island is Coligny Plaza - the bright buggy seems to be decked out in holiday colors and though it's this color year-round, against the crisp skies and cooler temps it seems even more festive now.

For birdwatchers, the Audubon Christmas count is a delight since the lowcountry is a major rest stop for migrating ducks and songbirds. The hooded mergansers take baths in our lagoons, the woodstorks with their grave countenance look disdainfully while the diving birds go after fish. Our purple finch remain and bright yellow finshes look like canaries in the trees.

The smell of wood smoke permeates the air as firepits are started either just to sit around and chat, or to enjoy freshly steamed May River oysters.

The skies are clear and our usual humidity disappears as the reflection of the moon dances on the ocean and makes the sand on the beach sparkle.

Romance is in the air as well since mistletoe grows wild in our oak trees. I'm told the favorite way in the south to harvest it is to bring out your shotgun and shoot it down. Not sure about that method but have learned not to question local culture.

Decorations are plentiful on the smallest cottages to the elegant homes with wide inviting front porches, Snap dragons, pansies, poinsettias blooming all on their own, amaryllis, and hollies take over from the flamboyant summer flowers.

Our winter also brings an abundance of vegetables. With farmers' markets in Hardeeville, Ridgeland, Bluffton, and on Hilton Head Island, there are no excuses for not enjoying collards, kale, blackeyed peas and turnips.

It's also a busy time for our visitors. For those who are able to take advantage of our empty beaches, enjoy no waiting at the restaurants, or being able to walk right on to a golf course; there's no better time of the year than winter in the lowcountry.

My desire to know the very personal financial information for my clients is non-existent; however, in the circumstance of a short sale - please don't shoot the messenger.

Every time I work with folks who are going through the short sale process, there is a tremendous amount of angst. From the type of information, the volume of information, the means by which the banks require the information, it's just not fun for anyone.

WHY do you have to provide the bank all this information (and oh, by the way, if you are self-employed, all of the same information must be profferred also on the business side). Well, at this stage - assuming this is a short sale - in some ways you are actually re-qualifying for the loan again and instead of trying to support a purchase at the original price - which is now way out of whack - you are trying to demonstrate that not only can you not afford this house but there is very little, if any, money to pay back the difference. If you never had to provide the last two years of tax returns, two months of bank statements, two months of paystubs, personal financial statements, you were lucky and unfortunately, now is your time.

And why am I, ONLY your Realtor,asking for all of this? Oh boy, where do I begin? The world of real estate has dramatically expanded from knowing a little contract law, a little about home improvements and inspections, a little about style of homes, a little about financing, a little about how to calculate return on investment...hey, I guess I did know about more than I thought! Then along come the short sales and we get stuck in the middle of the banking/legal/financial morass. But, I digress.

The bottom line is that this situation has brought genuine pain and distress to millions of people. Our area has not been immune. For people who have lost jobs, to people whose hours have been cut dramatically, the situation they find themselves in is often not of their own making.

To make matters worse, folks used to have a relationship with their local banker and could try to work out some sort of an arrangement with a live person. Those days are long gone so what to do?

Basically, like most unpleasant things, grit your teeth and bear it. Your Realtor, or attorney, or tax person is trying to get you through this and onto the next aspect of your life. Think of it as a way to put your financial home in order.

A deal is a deal is a deal?  Not exactly. While it is true that foreclosed properties usually take a much shorter time to close, that they are most likely clear of any clouds on the title, and that there is no emotionality, it still remains a distressed property.

There is rarely a day that goes by that someone doesn't say "I want a DEAL, find me a foreclosed property."  I am always happy to search any category that someone wants; however, I just had a circumstance that might make that request somewhat inadvisable.

The scenario - Imagine a large home, over 3800 sq ft, that was purchased in 2005 for just under $800,000. Beautiful lot, on Hilton Head Island in a wonderful community, on the golf course, view of a lagoon, 3 car garage, even an adorable "telephone room", 2 fireplaces, vaulted ceilings in the living room and huge family room, 3 bedrooms, a huge master suite with his and hers baths, dressing room, office, loft area, Juliette balcony clad with copper, 3 HVAC systems, you get the picture.  Now as a foreclosure, this lonely home is priced below $400,000.  WOW- you should pick that right up, right?  Perhaps, but unfortunately, the home has been stripped.  The kitchen - down to the walls - is now non-existent; no cabinets, no appliances, no counters. One fireplace mantle has been yanked, all decorative hardware, intercom, security system, is gone - wires coming out of the walls, windows broken, powder room stripped, well you get the picture.

It is STILL a beautiful home on a beautiful lot. You come along and are qualified to buy in the current listing amount range.  Should you buy it since it's a 'deal'? Well, maybe not since inherently it's a large home requiring the ability to maintain it on an ongoing basis. Let's face it, you may see a Rolls Royce that is offered for only $50,000 so why should you buy a Mercedes?  Because, the upkeep on a Rolls is exorbitant and the necessity for constant attention for this magnificent machine is inherent in its very existence.  The insurance for the home will be higher, it's based on replacement cost NOT on what you are going to pay. In our area, the taxes will be based initially on the assessed market value, not on what you pay and even when the rate goes down after your remodel, the taxes will be at a higher rate. You could put in a less expensive kitchen but is that really wise with the potential future value of the home. How about heating and cooling costs? How about all that landscaping that is overgrown and the need to trim just to bring it back will require a team of professionals now; and on an ongoing basis to maintain.

Now gee willikers, you go out and look at 'regular' homes well-priced in that same price range and they seem too small, or don't have the bells and whistles.  Perhaps, but even if moderately over-priced they are probably pretty close to being appropriate for the market. 

 Foreclosures are distressed properties, that's why they're priced like that. This is an extreme case but not really that unusual. There are loads more things to consider besides the price and that it's a foreclosure.

Beaufort County, SC is holding a photo contest and the winners' photos will be featured in the 2012 Beaufort County Calendar.

Our area is rich with natural beauty from the oceans, and marshes, to the quiet estuaries. In order to encourage residents to get out and enjoy the county parks, Beaufort County is again soliciting photos to be used for the 2012 Beaufort County Calendar.  The photos can be taken at any of the county's 25 boat landings or at one of 6 identified open land parcels. 

So, get out there and click away!

If you're in my area next weekend, take time to attend this wonderful event.  You'll have goosebumps when you hear the stories and the music but you'll also be uplifted at the ongoing courage by the veterans and their caregivers! 

Beaufort, SC will host the 2nd annual Lt. Dan Weekend from September 14 - 18, 2011.  The Independence Fund is sponsoring this great event with actor Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band headlining the event! 

The Lt. Dan Weekend provides an opportunity for more than 100 severely wounded veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and their caregivers to bond in fellowship with wounded warriors, participate in athletic events, enjoy recreational activities in the Lowcountry and be entertained. Proceeds raised during the weekend will go to the Independence Fund and helping provide tools, therapy and help for veterans injured in the Global War on Terror.

Here's the lineup:

DAY 1 - Veterans and caregivers arrive for a meet and greet dinner

DAY  2 - Caregiver spa and luncheon - the veterans spend the day in seminars and bike fittings.

DAY 3 - Veterans speak at local schools. Veterans and caregivers participate in boating, kayaking, golf and horseback riding AND there's a Lt. Dan Classic golf tournament at Parris Island golf course - the evening finishes off with the LT. DAN BAND CONCERT -

DAY 4 - Veterans and caregivers participate in either 5K or Lt. Dan Bike Ride - Gary Sinise serves as Grand Marshal of the parade!

All in all an event to remember -

This is just one of those small things that can mean so much!  Even with the best preparation, the best paperwork with places to write notes, looking at homes is an exhausting job!  This is such a wonderful way to make it fun and distinguish this one from all the others! A great idea for sellers - or perhaps a great way to think of something else just as memorable - maybe shells arranged in the shape of Hilton Head :-)

What, you don't like bugs? Surely you jest - we love our bugs on Hilton Head Island since they provide lots of food for the beautiful wildlife in the marshes and at the beach.  In fact the Audubon Society folks practically swoon at swarms :-)

There is not a morning that goes by that even along the bustling William Hilton Parkway (alias Hwy 278) you don't see swallows swooping, carolina wrens hopping from branch to branch, and even little house sparrows chomping.  Our little enole (lizards) gulp bugs as they change colors right before your eyes delighting our visitors as they wait outside our restaurants.

As we move up the food chain, our winged creatures also provide a link for our beloved egrets and herons. if the fish didn't have the fish flies, or the water spiders, or the gnats, our birds wouldn't get dinner either. According to the "Fat Birder" no , I didn't make that up, we actually have 411 species of birds that either live on or migrate through our immediate area. 

Now, I suppose that I should be fair and say that we do have "palmetto bugs", some gnats, and mosquitoes, but we do live in God's country after all and must accept the minor nuisances along with such dramatic beauty.

So, the next time, you wonder about where to vacation - know that we LOVE our BUGS here and know that you will too!

LOVE this - it's so true and so hysterical! Realtors lives are indeed like the best comedy you've seen!

Enjoy!

Fence sitters unite! You're timing is now impeccable in the Hilton Head and Bluffton area!  The news this week about the Homebuyer Tax Credit was very encouraging.  The particulars are that not only is the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers being extended but - it also increases the income limit for couples with incomes up to $225,000, a nearly $55,000 increase above the level in the existing law.

In addition, the new legislation makes buyers who already own a home eligible for a credit! A $6,500 maximum credit will be available to existing homeowners who have lived in their current residence for five of the prior eight years.  So, for buyers who have watched the prices on homes in their targeted neighborhood go down - this is the time!

"The South Carolina housing market is in a more stable position relative to the rest of the nation," according to the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. The Fall 2009 report goes on to say that the South Carolina has actually had an increase in permit activity and in general small increases in foreclosure rates.  The Beaufort County area is leading the way for the state with increased activity.  Locally, Realtors are beginning to see multiple offers on properties again, and though the inventory is still historically high, buyers are returning to the marketplace. 

So, fence-sitter, come on down to Bluffton and Hilton Head - and if you're already here, use the Homebuyer Tax Credit and begin to enjoy your new dream home!

P.S.  If you'd like your own copy of the South Carolina Fall 2009 Housing Market - Quarterly Report, please just email me and I'll be happy to send it to you!