Let’s face it; the real estate market has changed in so many ways.  If you are a realtor, you better like the word “change” because it is the “modus operandi” of our business today.  

We all know that pricing has changed, but technology has a big impact on real estate these days and that has changed the way Sellers and Buyers view real estate.  Sellers now realize they have to engage in 2 battles when it comes to selling their home, “the Beauty Battle & “the Price Battle”.  Now more than ever Sellers need to have to their homes looking their best from landscaping to the décor of the home. Availability is another big factor for Sellers because whoever makes it the most convenient for a realtor to show will WIN!!!  Sellers no longer want to know if you have a website, they want to know how many and where will their home be featured.

Just as technology has changed things for Sellers, it has also proven to be a big asset for Buyers because it now provides Buyers an avenue where they can educate themselves about pricing, sales, and other properties on the market.  Most of the time, Buyers give us a list of properties to see before we ever put them in our car to look at property here on Hilton Head.   Buyers can search tax records and know exactly what a Seller paid for their home.  The Buyers we are dealing with now are much more informed and have access to more data than ever before.

HOWEVER, our job as a Realtor is extremely important to both Buyers and Sellers.  I cannot tell you how many times a Buyer has tried to tell me the value of a property based on Trulia’s data.  Sometimes, it can be “dead wrong”.  Realtors are needed by both Sellers and Buyers so that we can advise, represent, educate, and present the true climate and conditions in today’s market.  

If you are up for a shot of adrenaline and ready to catch some breath taking views at the Broad Creek Marina, you have got to give this tour a “whirl”, no pun intended.  This zip line is well designed because they preserved the trees and built platforms around our live oaks and pine trees so you can experience “tree hopping”.

Pam and Roger Freedman, the owners of Zip Line Hilton Head, wanted to offer families another alternative to the beach & all the other wonderful activities we have here on Hilton Head.  It is great that we have such a variety of things to do here on our island and what a thrill to now have a Zip Line added to the mix.   When taking the Zip Line tour, you will have a guide to tell you all about Hilton Head’s history, culture, and the nature surrounding you.

This weekend on Hilton Head, not only are the buyers out, but there are some wonderful activities to take advantage of in this great weather.  Wing Fest kicks off tonight with a pre-party and continues the next day at 11am. You get a BIG BANG for your buck here! 5$ for 13 and older. Other fun activities include Corn Hole tournament at Captain Woody’s in Bluffton on Saturday at 11:30, The Deery family fundraiser Sunday 2-5 at Mellow Mushroom HHI,  Adopt a puppy at the Jasper county Rescue Mission Saturday 11am – 3 at Sheridan Park, and the Arts Center is offering a wonderful production of “Driving Miss Daisy”.  So weather you’re going to buy some property, invest in our local economy, just get out in the beautiful weather, ride a bike, go to the beach, get on your boat, paddleboard and have some fun!  I need to get out of the office!

Under present laws, a townhome, condominium, or single-family home is considered a second home and assessed at a higher rate for tax purposes if the owner rents it for more than 14 days each year.  There is a proposed bill in the South Carolina Senate which would change the state law and allow such properties to be rented for up to 90 days and still avoid the higher rate if the bill passes.  About 60 percent of Beaufort County’s homes, excluding apartments, do not qualify as owner-occupied according to county assessor Ed Hughes.  Property taxes on those homes are based on 6% of their appraised value.  Properties which are owner occupied and not rented over 14 days each year are assessed on a 4% of their appraised value.  This difference can add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars on a tax bill, depending on the homes appraisal and location.  Since North Carolina and Georgia tax system doesn’t differentiate primary and secondary homes, the current law in South Carolina puts owners of property in South Carolina at a real disadvantage when a potential buyer is trying to decide between buying property in South Carolina or buying in Georgia or North Carolina.  Most Realtors in South Carolina feel that passage of this bill currently in the South Carolina Senate would bring more home buyers into South Carolina. 

If this bill were to pass, approximately 13,600 homes, mostly on Hilton Head, would move to the lower 4 percent ratio if the bill were to become law.  Property taxes collected on homes assessed at the 4% cannot be used for school operating costs so should the bill pass, it would make a difference in the budgets for the school systems in Beaufort Count.  Beaufort County’s state senator, Tom Davis, is in favor of the passage of the bill and feels that the way that schools are funded in South Carolina is flawed and that should be corrected separately.  

We have entered an important time period for those who are trying to sell or those who are contemplating whether they should sell now or not.  Market studies shows that the next 45 days on Hilton Head Island will be the “best” time to get your property sold!  Historical Data indicates there is nearly 60% more homes sold on Hilton Head Island between March 15^th and April 15^th than in the preceding months before and subsequent  months after this time frame. This is very important to know if you are a seller, because if your home is not at the “front of the line” with respect to price,condition, and location then you may be missing out on an opportunity to sell your home.  Call your realtor and make sure!  The quickest way to the front of the line is to re-evaluate the list price and adjust accordingly.  Don’t be the seller who calls the Monday after Heritage wondering why their house has not sold!  Carpe Diem – The time has come.

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Hilton Head Island has experienced a sharp rise in home sales since the first of the year which is quite a pleasant surprise for our so-called "winter" months on the island.  Normally Hilton Head is the perfect place for residents to enjoy the island without having to make advance tee times for golf or be concerned with having others on their beach while walking and enjoying the beauty of the ocean and bird life.  This January and February has produced very mild weather, sunshine almost every day, and temperatures hovering around the 65-70 degree mark.  Visitors and residents of Hilton Head Island alike got a good taste of the good life that Spring on Hilton Head Island is all about and the island was busy and thriving!  This, coupled with so many excellent prices on property all over the Lowcountry caused the motivation to purchase and take advantage of all the great opportunities on Hilton Head resulted in the rise in sales. 

The rise in home sales has been tempered by a modest drop in the median  selling price from 2011.  In January of 2012 sales increased on Hilton Head Island by 20.2% but the sales prices decreased by 4.5%.  In Beaufort County off Hilton Head  Island, residential sales declined by 24,2% while prices in Beaufort County off Hilton Head Island, increased  by 2.3%.  The explanation for this mixed message appears to be that there are more foreclosures and short sales off Hilton Head Island and in Beaufort County and these short sales and foreclosures are dragging prices down across the board.  This will continue as we work through these short sales and foreclosures and find a base to the market from which we can finally see some upside to the market on Hilton Head Island.

Once buyers realize that we are at the bottom or near the bottom of the market on Hilton Head Island, we feel that buyers will anxiously enter the market for very little has changed on the island that would normally affect value.  Hilton Head Island is still the premier resort and residential area on the East Coast.  Our beaches are the most beautiful on the East Coast, our golf courses excellent and too numerous to play them all, shopping, tennis, boating, dining and just plain relaxing and enjoying the natural beauty and environment of this pristine area will always make us at the top of the list for savvy investors and those seeking a refuge from the "real world".

If you are waiting for a better time to buy, don't wait too long.  You may get left behind!!  

Feb 11th: 10th Annual Publix Hilton Head Island Half Marathon & 10K/5K hosted by Bear Foot Sports at Jarvis Creek Park, 8 am (843)-757-8520 or http://www.bearfootsports.com/

Feb 11th: Valentine's Day Fund-Raiser to benefit the Hilton Head Humane Association.  Pineland Mall from 11am-2pm.  Music, silent auction, games, prizes pictures and of course pet adoptions. 

Feb 11th: A Taste of Gullah: Native Island heritage is the star of this Gullah celebration.  Taste lowcountry specialties including BBQ ribs, shrimp and grits, rice and beans, okra gumbo and sweet potato pie.  Enjoy stories, gospel choir, drums and dancing and Gullah-inspired crafts.  Bring your own chair.  Arts Center of the Coastal Carolina - 14 Shelter Cove Lane. 

Feb 12th:  Hilton Head Humane Animal Shelter - sweets and treats for you and your four-legged friends, 11am - 4pm. 

Feb 12th: Oyster Roast: Old Oyster Factory from 12-3pm.  $20 all you can eat oysters and lowcountry boil.  Live music from the Simpson Brothers and great drink specials!  101 Marshland Road - (843) 681-6040 http://www.oldoysterfactory.com/

Feb 13th:  The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra presents "The Classics: Haydn and Beethoven" featuring guest conductor Daniel Meyer and cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan at First Presbyterian Church, 8pm at 540 Wm. Hilton Pkwy. (843) 842-2055 or www.hhso.org.

Feb 16, 17, 18 & 19: Dirty Roteen Scoundrels: Hilton Head Prepartory School.  7:30 pm and 2 pm on 19th.  Tickets available at http://www.hhprep.org/
 

Our Hilton Head Island mayor reminded us in last Sunday’s newspaper all the redevelopment projects for Hilton Head area. It’s refreshing to see not only the Town Council but also the private entities revitalizing Hilton Head Island!  So much of Hilton Head was developed in the 70’s and this is a great start to keeping us in the top rankings of other competitive Beach Resort destinations.  Not to mention it will help Real Estate Values increase by more demand and exposure for the properties on Hilton Head Island.

The Westin Hotel (Port Royal) announced a 30 Million dollar renovation to its property which will accentuate the Atlantic Ocean with the Beach re-nourishment project.  Another Hotel making some changes is the Hilton Oceanfront Resort in Palmetto Dunes.  Not only are they starting renovations this September but they have now become the Omni Hotel; touting the only Omni in South Carolina.   The Shelter Cove Mall will see some big changes in the next year!  We can’t wait to see what’s going to happen!   

We’ve heard talk about redevelopment for the Coligny Beach area the last few years and it appears they  are getting closer to finalizing the plans.  Many locals call this area “Downtown Hilton Head”; which is home of the notorious Holiday Inn and Tiki Bar.  The Holiday Inn  @ Coligny Beach has already,  completed its renovation of facilities; so be sure an go see them next time you’re in the Hilton Head Area!

Other commercial areas that will have a great effect to not only the residents here but also the tourists are worth noting.   For us who live on the south End of Hilton Head Island we will have a new grocery store to shop at in April.  The Harris Teeter (aka “the Teeter”) will be bigger and better than ever.  The plans will make it easier for parking and attract other small businesses to the complex.  On the North end Wal-Mart is undergoing an expansion and renovation to include grocery items, general merchandise, an outdoor garden center and an automotive-care shop.  What Recession?

Harris Teeter

http://www.islandpacket.com/2009/06/23/884473/neighbors-happier-with-harris.html

Walmart

http://www.islandpacket.com/2011/01/25/1523920/walmart-seeks-expansion-in-order.html

Westin

http://www.islandpacket.com/2011/12/14/1896516/luxury-hotel-chain-to-overhaul.html

Coligny area can be found on the town site for those who wish to comment or just get a peak…

http://www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/departments/commdev/Redevelopment/coligny/colignyredev.cfm

Recently one of my friends stayed at Palmetto Bluff and below is her testimony.  

My husband and I stayed at the Inn at Palmetto Bluff back in December 2011, and it is absolutely beautiful.  The Inn is situated on 22,000 acres, and gazes out over the May River.  We stayed in one of the cottages overlooking the lagoon, and they are quite roomy with a large bedroom, private fireplace, beautiful bath, and a great screened in porch.  The amenities are plentiful because they have a 3 mile waterway for fishing, canoeing, kayaking &, biking, 2 tree houses, croquet, bocce, Jack Nicklaus golf course, and a beautiful pool area. 

As far as the restaurants, we dined at the General Store for lunch, the River House Restaurant for dinner, and Buffalo’s for breakfast.  I would say that 2 out of 3 are not bad.  We were disappointed in our meal at the River House Restaurant and we actually thought the more casual menu offered in the bar and screened porch area was more appealing to us than the menu in the main restaurant.  Hopefully as the Inn becomes more popular and well known, they will begin to offer a more extensive menu because we honestly thought the restaurants on Hilton Head such as Red Fish, Michael Anthony’s, Sage Room, and Charlie’s have better food and choice. 

Let’s talk about the Spa.  The Spa is incredible and something you definitely need to do if you are going to stay at the Inn at Palmetto Bluff.  The staff is fabulous and the facilities are beautiful.  It was a great experience!

The Inn at Palmetto Bluff is managed by Auberge Resorts, enough said!!!!  They only manage 6 facilities around the country and it is a true testament to the Low Country that Auberge agreed to come and run the Inn in Bluffton, SC.  The staff, the ambience, the accommodations, activities, and the food make staying at the Inn at Palmetto Bluff a once in a lifetime experience!