Hilton Head Real Estate Blog

While golf and golf communities may be synonymous with the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton area, a new trend in premier developments is offering alternatives for the changing mindset of current and future home buyers.

The South Carolina Lowcountry is rich in some of the best golf communities America has to offer, but studies and market research are showing an evolving buyer mentality is starting to focus on natural and non-golf amenities.  A web article from Builders News recognizes that there’s concern over the basic demographic appeal of golf.  “It’s an open question whether post-Boomer generation, more aware of environmental issues, will keep buying golf frontage lots”.  In a recent study by Carmel, Calif., marketing research firm American LIVES, potential home Buyers rated golf at No. 30 on a list of desired amenities, while walking and biking trails rated second and natural open space ranked third.  No surprise, then, that some developments are going entirely golfless, figuring that open space left au naturel has a better bottom line as an amenity.  This trend is clearly evident at some of the most recent developments in Bluffton, South Carolina.   In fact, a number of moderate priced Bluffton communities are experiencing the closing or downsizing of their course, due to lack of play.

Hampton Lake, Rose Dhu Creek, Barton’s Run and Shell Hall are all examples of this new Bluffton trend in golfless communities.  Hampton Lake has taken this idea to the highest level with their “it’s all about the water” concept.  Hampton Lake is not “your daddy’s club” is the claim of the developer John Reed who is also the developer of the other premier Bluffton developments Belfair, Berkley Hall, Colleton River, and Hampton Hall, all of which are golf communities.   A 165 acre lake is the center of the community with boat access to the entire lake.  Laid back living with amenities that include a boardwalk with casual bar and grill dining, a fitness center, a pool with a lazy river for the kids and a separate pool under the cabana for adults.  The developers have also reserved space for overnight camping that can be accessed by boat.  Rose Dhu creek is one of four area equestrian developments, but the only one which does not also include a golf course.  Rose Dhu Creek offers oversized lots and salt and pepper homes that usually represent the traditional Lowcounty style, but can vary with design and size.  Shell Hall and Barton’s Run are the two area Bluffton communities which offer the least amount of amenities, but do offer building lots at an affordable price and low POA fees.   Both of these communities are custom home developments where you can choose your own builder and home design which must follow the guidelines of the community.  Shell Hall offers a pool, tennis and croquet facilities with quarter to half acre lot sizes.  Barton’s Run offers no amenities with large lots ranging from one and a half to five acres.

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Posted by Stacey Macioszek in Real Estate |