Last week we discussed some important things to consider while contemplating listing your house leading up to 2023. Our biggest piece of advice? Try to be on the market by January 15th! From years of experience in the real estate industry, we have learned that it’s really important to be on early in the New Year. Any ideas why? You guessed it – it’s because of the Internet! It is vital to have an online presence due to the fact that when people come to visit Hilton Head, they are going to have their list of homes ready to show their agent. And it’s safe to say, you’ll want your home to be one of them. Watch our latest video to get the full low-down.
If you are wondering what to do during your trip to Hilton Head, rest assured, you have options! Here in the Lowcountry, there is a little something for everyone. Whether you love soaking up the rays on the pristine beaches of Hilton Head, kayaking through the natural beauty of the Lowcountry, or booking a charter boat to catch some fish for dinner, this island has got you covered.
Endless Trails for Biking & Walking
It’s no lie that Hilton Head offers some of the best trail options when it comes to biking, walking, and running. With over 65 miles of beautiful pathways to utilize at your leisure, it is the ideal place to get your body moving while also enjoying the great outdoors. Hilton Head Island has been named one of the top 39 bicycle-friendly communities in the U.S., and one of 34 to achieve the Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award from the League of American Bicyclists. Check out the island’s trail maps and additional resources here.
Hilton Head’s endless options of pathways & trails.
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
With over 4,000 acres of land, Pinckney Island boasts picturesque views of the Lowcountry. Making a stop at Pinckney’s wildlife sanctuary will leave you feeling reconnected to mother nature and gives those who visit a true appreciation for our area. It is an important part of wildlife refuges along the Atlantic Flyway, attracting thousands of migratory birds every year. The land also provides a nesting habitat for birds such as ibis, egrets, and herons. Pinckney Island is nestled right between Bluffton and Hilton Head, making it an easy location to visit while going over the bridge.
Pinckney Island’s Wildlife Refuge.
Hilton Head Beaches
Utilizing the beautiful beaches is a no-brainer while visiting Hilton Head. The island offers a plethora of options to choose from if you are looking to lay out and get some rays, but don’t forget your SPF! Some favorite local spots are Burkes Beach, Mitchelville, Folly Field, and Forest Beach (Coligny).
A beach sunset on Hilton Head Island.
Shopping Centers
While enjoying your time spent on one of the east coast’s favorite islands, why not bring a little piece of the Lowcountry home with you? Peruse local boutiques for some pieces to add to your wardrobe, browse the Island’s thrift stores and consignment shops, or find special gifts for friends and family. Some of the best spots for shopping are Coligny Plaza, Shelter Cove Towne Centre, The Village at Wexford, The Shops at Sea Pine Center, and Main Street Village. You may even consider stopping by Hilton Head Island’s farmer’s market, held every Tuesday at Honey Horn Plantation from 9:00AM-1:00PM, for some fresh and local produce.
Shelter Cove Towne Centre – Shopping & Dining on Hilton Head Island.
Boating and Watersports
Take your Lowcountry adventures to another level by partaking in one of the many boating and watersport options here on Hilton Head Island. From fishing charters to sunset cruises, or paddle boarding and kayaking to parasailing, vacationers are bound to find something enjoyable for the whole family.
Parasailing is one of Hilton Head’s popular watersport options.
A Planned Unit Development is a community of single-family homes, and sometimes condos or townhomes, where every homeowner belongs to a homeowners association (HOA). These neighborhoods typically charge a fee in exchange for the maintenance of common areas and amenities. The amenities provided can include a neighborhood pool, a gate, security, restaurants, golf courses, event venues, and more. Although all the above is very exciting, these luxuries do come at a cost.
It is easy to know that you have entered a Planned Unit Development as you may come across a gate, the roads may be different, and the vegetation is expected to be well-kept. Many neighborhoods charge an initiation/transfer fee and/or a one-time capital contribution fee to be paid on the day of purchase at the closing table. When determining your cash to close, these figures are essential as they range from $0 to $70,000.
Sea Pines Resort is an example of a Planned Unit Development.
In addition to an initiation/transfer fee, Planned Unit Developments also charge an annual Home Owners Association fee, which ranges from $0 to $23,565. When building a monthly budget, this number is also imperative as this added expense is a figure that can alter one’s lifestyle or qualification.
Condominiums have management companies to facilitate the structural and cosmetic integrity of the condominium building as a whole, they manage the amenities as well as maintain insurance for the exterior of the building and the common areas. Individuals owning a condominium pay a regime fee, which can range from $150 to $1,000 monthly, and also be responsible for assessments should any improvements need to be made to the condominium complex.
Where Hilton Head becomes unique is when an individual purchases a condominium inside of a Planned Unit Development. With this acquisition, the purchaser will be responsible for the condominium regime fee and the HOA fee on a monthly basis. For example, if the monthly condominium regime fee and HOA fees are $850 and $150 respectively the homeowner is now responsible for $1,000 monthly in addition to the principal, interest, taxes, and insurance.
With many variables surrounding upfront costs, as well as monthly payments, it is imperative to be educated to ensure no surprises unfold a few days before closing. Trust your local partners who can navigate you through the potentially challenging process of buying in the Lowcountry.
2021 was a good year to be in real estate. We saw years of pent-up demand, a desire to leave cities, and years of lower-than-needed home construction all come to a head. With many people working from home, Covid-19 has acted as a catalyst to have people buy their first residence, renovate their current residences, or move to larger homes in better locations. Couple a desire to upgrade with low-interest rates and the housing market has been moving at historic rates of demand exhausting supply.
Over the last two years, we have seen online lenders acting as call centers enter the market. The individual on the phone takes a consumer’s order, discusses the rate, requests documents, and hopes the company can execute once the file enters underwriting. Once in underwriting, the client’s fate is determined. Without counseling and limited explanation, the file is either approved or denied. If denied the lender stops returning phone calls, disappears, and moves onto their call list leaving all other parties in the transaction with a sour taste, lost time, and sometimes the buyer with a non-refundable earnest money deposit.
According to the National Association of Realtors, there is 15.5% less inventory than in February of 2021 and the average number of offers on a listing was 4.8. Low inventory has been a topic of many conversations and the desire to land one’s dream home has become a challenge given the competition. Having a plan is imperative and working with a reputable, local lender who has name recognition, is able to call the listing side to support your offer, and allows you to stand out amongst other offers has never been of more importance. The need for a knowledgeable loan originator (who you have the cell phone number) to guide you through this unique and fast-moving real estate market has never been greater.
Hilton Head Island and Bluffton have many nuances such as Homeowners Association fees, Neighborhood transfer fees, condominium regime fees, flood insurance, and the Hilton Head transfer fee. All of these costs symbolize pitfalls that a non-local lender can get tripped up on and end up surprising you at the closing table with additional costs or crushing the purchase of your dream home altogether.
With interest rates in-line or better than online lenders stay and trust your local partners who can navigate you through the potentially challenging process of buying in the Lowcountry. We have the experience to ask the right questions, the products to meet your needs, and the service level to make it a stress-free experience!
We continue our exploration of Hilton Head golf courses with a few of our most beautiful private golf clubs. If you’re looking for the ideal golf community, Hilton Head Island has a few of the best in the country, if not the world. Not only do we have challenging golf courses, but we have breathtaking views as well.
People come to Hilton Head from all over the world to experience the lifestyle, and many come to be surrounded by championship golf courses.
Long Cove Golf course
Members Only Pete Dye Golf
Pure Lowcountry beauty and elegance can be found on this championship golf course. The magnificent 18-hole course is 7,000 yards of golf at its finest. The exquisite course is surrounded by breathtaking marsh, beautiful oak trees covered in Spanish moss and Carolina Pine.
One of Hilton Head’s finest golf courses, known as flexible and challenging. Ideal and designed for every level.
Wexford Golf Course
Surrounded by majestic trees, and coastal marshland this stately golf course, which opened in 1983, was fully renovated and redesigned by Arnold Palmer Design Company (APDC), in 2011. Palmer redesigned the 18-hole golf course to be both challenging and beautiful. The Wexford driving range and golf practice area were recently updated by APDC to include target greens and practice bunkers. This golf course offers spectacular views to go along with a fun and challenging course.
Sea Pines Country Club
Nestled inside Sea Pines is Sea Pines Country Club. As a member of the country club, residents have a championship golf course to enjoy. The pristine 18-hole course designed by Arnold Palmer, and updated by Clyde Johnson in 2001, is for the skilled golfer. The country club offers golf lessons for members and stunning views.
If you have been looking for a home in Hilton Head with a championship golf course and breathtaking views, one of these private golf communities may be for you. Contact us to find out more about the communities that surround these exquisite courses.
