Hilton Head Real Estate Blog

I had a client ask me this today and I thought I would share the answer with you. 
 
On Hilton Head Island, South Carolina there are approximately 339 pended listings as of this writing.  Of the pended listings, 242 are homes with an average price of $710,198, 56 are villas with an average price of $368,549, and 41 are lots with an average price of $404,129. Because of this statistic, we can expect in the next 30-45 days there will be 339 more homes SOLD! 

Today’s buyer is savvy, smart and confident. They know the rule to ‘buy low and sell high’.   Some people on the other hand know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.These new buyers are educated on both cost and VALUE.  They know that Hilton Head Island historically has some of the lowest priced oceanfront real estate on the east coast. They know that the town has protected over 1100 acres from development and they know that it cost the town $144,000,000. This new buyer knows when to take advantage of a great deal while selection is still inviting. 

These buyers might be your neighbors, co-worker, clients, or family.  This new buyer could be a couple preparing to retire, a young couple or family seeking to build wealth for their future and their family’s future, while creating memories that will last a lifetime.They are the people at the party that talk about what they have done in their lives, their experiences and travels.  These new buyers would rather listen to a story about Spanish Moss and moon beams before a story about a stock certificate hidden away in a safe deposit box.

I guess a better question is, “Are you one of these people”?There has never been a better time to be a buyer.

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Here are a few reasons why 39,000 residents call Hilton Head home and countless others have made it their primary destination to vacation and relax.

Did you know:

1) Hilton head was one of the first “eco-planned” communities in the country. Charles Fraser, the visionary developer of Sea Pines Resort, set the stage with his very aggressive approach to preserving nature for the entire Island.

2) 70% of our population is under the age of 60 years of age.  The largest segment of our population (18.2%) is under 18 years of age and the median age on the Island is 35.4 years. Hilton Head is much more than a retirement community.

3) We have one of the best climates on the east coast. We have a semi-tropical climate with an average daytime temperature of 75 degrees and an average evening temperature of only 55 degrees. Our winters last only a few weeks.

4) Nearly 100,000,000 potential visitors live within only a 15 hour drive to Hilton Head and more than 1,000,000 enplanements and deplanements happen at the Savannah Hilton Head International airport.

5) You can get to everything you need including schools, hardware stores, restaurants, hospitals, theaters, dry cleaners and more in 15 minutes or less from anywhere on the Island.

Do you know why people come to Hilton Head Island: 

1) 23 golf courses that are meticulously maintained including the famed Harbour Town Golf Links, home of the  PGA’s Heritage Golf Tournament.

2) We have hundreds of tennis courts. Four of our tennis resorts are listed annually in Tennis Magazine’s Top-50 Resorts.

3) We have 12 miles of white sandy beaches.

4) Or maybe it is one of our many marinas on the Island.

5) Our Island has been preserved with the town purchasing and protecting nearly 1,168 acres at a cost of $144,000,000 or eliminating 4,000,000 square feet of commercial development and 1,365 hotel rooms and 4,210 residential and timeshare units.

6) We have 7 beach parks, 6 recreational parks, and 8 community parks. How many places do you know that have 21 parks for 39,000 residents?

7) Maybe it is because of the 100 miles of bike paths that encircle the island.

I guess the answer to “WHY” will be different for all of us but the place will certainly be the same HILTON HEAD.

Here is to Spanish Moss and moon beams!

Hope to see you soon!

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Having trouble with your golf game or need a tune-up, but don’t have the scratch to pay for a lesson?  Tradition National Golf Club at Tradition Hilton Head is hosting a complimentary golf clinic for all skill levels and age groups at noon Saturday, January 24.

The clinic will be led by David Wilding, Director of Golf at Tradition National Golf Club and a PGA Professional, and his staff. The session will cover all aspects of the game at Tradition National’s new, state-of-the-art practice facility.

Special rates and winter promotions for rounds of golf will also be offered.

Tommy Fazio designed the new championship course, which has already hosted several tournaments, including the first-ever Under Armour College Golf Combine in July.

Space is limited, and golfers are urged to call Tradition National Golf Club at 208-5353 for more information and registration.

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Recently, I've had the opportunity to answer a few questions for an article highlighting Hilton Head Island in an upcoming issue of Cincy Magazine which is an upscale Cincinnati business periodical. I'd like to share the following questions and my answers with you.

1.Cincinnatians have many choices when it comes to buying vacation homes. In terms of location, what makes Hilton Head desirable? Obvious reasons include pristine beaches, manicured golf courses, immaculate tennis facilities, full-service marinas, fabulous shopping and a vast array of world-class restaurants. In addition, the Island offers a variety of communities including private & gated neighborhoods, townhome complexes close to the beach, villas, and golf course communities.  I've driven to Cincinnati a few times and love your city!  The drive to Hilton Head seems very straight forward and easy and I know a flight to Hilton Head or Savannah is very quick.

2. Why is now an ideal time to buy a vacation home in Hilton Head? As a buyer, there may never be a better time to buy a beautiful home or villa on Hilton Head Island.  Inventory is abundant, prices have declined significantly, interest rates are at record lows, gas prices are not an issue, and sellers understand the need for qualified buyers in today’s market.  As a buyer, you have many choices and options that may not have been available 4 or 5 years ago.

3. What current market prices and interest rates can qualified buyers expect? It is always difficult to predict what market conditions will be like in the coming months, but we have been enjoying historically low mortgage interest rates over the last few months and they have dipped even further as 2009 has begun. These low rates have helped contribute to the outstanding affordability we are currently seeing. I have actually seen rates in the mid 4% range!

4. How do these market prices and interest rates compare to years past? These are the lowest rates I have seen in my career. So if you are looking at affordability from the perspective of monthly payments, we are looking at unprecedented levels. There are opportunities out there that buyers have not seen in years. It is somewhat like turning back the clock.

5. Given the current economic crisis, many Cincinnatians might be reluctant to spend money on a vacation home. What would you say to someone who is considering buying a vacation home but is worried about what the future might hold? If you're considering purchasing a vacation home or villa on Hilton Head Island, then I say ‘congratulations!'  There is no place in the world more charming and inviting than this beautiful Island.  Consider your investment as a long-term proposition and you will be more comfortable as American real estate has always been a smart investment, especially in areas which are highly sought after and desireable.  In fact, do as I do and consider your vacation home on Hilton Head Island as an ‘investment with a sunset!

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Well…here goes…

I moved to Hilton Head almost 19 years ago when I was hired as a tennis pro at the Sea Pines Racquet Club right after college.  As a tennis pro, Hilton Head Island was (and is) the premiere location in the United States as there are over 300 tennis courts with 4 tennis resorts included in Tennis Magazine’s Top-50 Resorts list each year. Read the rest of this entry »

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