Blog Hilton Head

Dear Friends, Clients and Fellow Associates~

When you buy on Hilton Head Island, you buy a lifestyle.   Each community on Hilton Head is unique offering varying lifestysles.  The amentities these communities offer include world class golf, marinas, championship tennis, beautiful clubhouses, and fitness paths to name a few.  This week on Hilton Head Island we have included the Top 10 Benefit Lists for Palmetto Hall and Palmetto Dunes.  Next week we will be focusing on Forest Beach and Hilton Head Plantation.  Below are the top ten lists:

Palmetto Hall Plantation’s ~ Top Ten Benefit List

1. Palmetto Hall is located on the north end of Hilton Head Island with convenience to the Islanders Beach Park, schools, shopping, dining, hospital, airport and library.  This location offers the advantage of everything the Island offers just minutes away saving time. 
2. Palmetto Hall offers 750 acres with 523 single family residential properties, 20 acres of stocked lagoons and 100 acres of forest preserve.  Palmetto Hall offers a park  like setting and overall open feeling from the front gate and throughout the community.
3. Palmetto Hall offers private roads and security with access for club visitors outside the gates.  Owners may operate their own golf carts on the roadways.  The benefit is that our community is private and secure with only owners and their guests traveling into the community.  
4. All Palmetto Hall property owners are members to the club at either a Social or Full Golf level.  The benefit is that memberships can be custumized for the member.
5. Palmetto Hall’s Clubhouse, Tennis Courts, Swimming Pool, Practice Greeen and Clubhouse are in the Heart of the community.  The benefit is all property owners are members to the same club(although they may be different levels of use) and therefore get to know each by first names rather than mailbox names.
6. Palmetto Hall’s architecture style is Southern Classical Architecture which includes styles that embrace living in the south with large sweeping porches and decks.  The benefit is this style open the home to the neighbors and community.  Visit this home for sale on Stonewall Circle to see true southern architecture
7. Palmetto Hall is completely sold out by the developer and offers a sense of community with over 350 families living within the gates.  The benefit is that as a resident you will enjoy living in this community now with great neighbors.  Visit this home site for sale if you dream of living here someday(we have a few others we would like to share with you if you have a preferred view)
8. Palmetto Hall has an Architectural Review Board and an Owners Association.  The benefit to these associations include ensuring residential integrity and having a plan for now and the future.  Visit this new home for sale on Ellis Court to see how the review board ensures residential integrity.
9. Palmetto Hall offers two eighteen hole golf courses which are rotated on a daily basis for the membership.  The real benefit is the members have the variety of two great golf courses without the cost associtated to operate both.  Visit this great home on Fort Howell for sale to see a great home on a golf green.
10. Palmetto Hall offers a true neighborhood defined by its size,  a flexible membership and its location 

Palmetto Dunes ~  Top Ten Benefit List

1.  Palmettto Dunes is conveniently located mid Island on Hilton Head.   This location offers convenience to the north or south end of the Island and you are literally minutes, not not miles away from shopping, dining and all Hilton Head offers.
2. Palmetto Dunes offers 2,000 acres and is designed with a resort core that includes the Marriott Oceanfront Resort, The Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center, The Robert Trent Jones Golf Course, PD Outfitters, Alexanders and the General Store in a central and convenient just outside the gates for everyone to enjoy.  The benefit is the roadways 
    and nieghborhoods are only accesible by guests, owners and visitors
3. Palmetto Dunes offer 4 distinct neighborhoods offering something for everyone.  These communities include:
              *  Shelter Cove ~ A community designed around an inland marina
              *  Leamington ~ Located on Ocean Lane.  Visit this Leamington home for sale 
              *  Mariners Section ~ Located within the north gate(residential & villas)
              *  Inverness Section ~ Located just in the south gate(residential & villas
4. Palmetto Dunes offers an 11 mile river lagoon system that is the centerpiece of the community.  This waterway offers natural beauty and provides the community with excellent drainage.  Please visit this waterfront home site that offers over 300 feet overlooking the lagoon on Heath Court West.
5. Palmetto Dunes offers three championship golf courses.  The benefit includes flexible play and membership programs to the guests and owners in Palmetto Dunes.
6.  Palmetto Dunes resort core offers resort villas with convenience to the ocean within the gates of the community.  Here are some great villas we offer for sale including an oceanfront villa, a near ocean villa, and a resort villa.
7. Palmetto Dunes offers membership to the Palmetto Dunes Club located within the south gate of Palmetto Dune.  The Palmetto Dunes Club is a wonderful place to meet your neighbors, share common interests and activities, and establish lasting friendships.
8. Palmetto Dunes Golf, Tennis, Outfitters and rental company are owned and operated by Greenwood Development.  This company has taken care of these amenities for years.
9. Palmetto Dunes and Leamington have an Architectural Review Board(ARB) to ensure residential integrity and protect property values.  As homes are built or remodeled, approval must come from these boards.  See this recently remodeled home in Leamington that is offered for sale for only $649,000.
10. Palmetto Dunes offers the perfect blend of resort and residential living on Hilton Head Island.   
     

We hope you enjoy these benefit lists.  If you would like a complete ownership package that includes maps, property and membership information on either of the above communities, please let us know.  We have found that our market currently offers historically low prices, incredible properties and low interest rates right now and while it may take some time to locate the right area and proeprty, our buyers are being rewarded! 

Robbie Bunting & Jane Hyers

I just saw it on CNN.com: Hilton Head by water: A marina-by-marina guide

Dear friends, clients and fellow associates~

The internet is many things but there are still many things it is not.  I had one seller tell me “the one thing I would not take off the table is the buyer, seller, realtor relationship (despite the internet).  That is, you have a seller with something distinctive and a buyer with distinctive wants; if you can see the match a sale happens.  The web site does not easily accommodate that.”  I call this the interNOT factor.  Simply said, the internet is a great way to research, but at the end of the day the internet falls short in allowing us to feel, see and experience the community or property.   It does not summarize or overcome objections, it simply loads us up with information and choices.

Knowing what the internet is and what it is not, helps us as we continue to provide new services to our sellers and buyers.  Our websites are reporting hundreds of visitors per week as buyers click and pick their perfect properties.  We are spending a large amount of time and money driving traffic to our websites.  Last week alone, we put our new blog in front of over 15,000 prospects and our blog was most recently in the Blog Section of the CNN article Hilton Head by water a marina by marina guide.  In addition,  our company spent over $100,000 last year on a new website that is now capturing buyers!  While we do our best to provide virtual tours, photos, helpful descriptions and useful facts we never know where a buyer will find us!

When a buyer or seller searches real estate on the web we never know where they will land.   Therefore it is our goal to have as many websites as possible.  These websites are similar to having billboards or for sale signs located all over the world.  Although our websites are worldwide, we go out globally to 38 countries with just one of these websites. We post our properties on 39+ of these which reach world wide!  With a population of only 35,000, these websites have the advantage of reaching “critical mass” for our Hilton Head Island Properties.

Below are just a few of the national and international web sites we have our properties shown on everyday: 

So go ahead…click and pick!   We are here if you have any questions or want to see, feel and experience this community and property in real life.   Thank you.

All the best…

Robbie Bunting & Jane Hyers
Realtor ~ Associate Broker
Hilton Head Island,  SC
 
Via Phone             800-932-3652 ~ 842-0805
e-mail                    robbie@robbiebunting.com

Click HERE for my blog

P Before you print this e-mail, please think of our environment. Thanks!

 
The internet has changed my business, has it changed yours?  Buyers now surf the web looking for the right property instead of walking through doors.  However, when a buyers finally walk through the door they are more qualified and knowledgeable than ever before.  It used to take us days, weeks and sometimes years to find the perfect property for our buyers.  Today more time is spent clicking through properties on the internet and less time walking into them which speeds up process.

Bistro 17 ~ FREE Bottle of Bistro Wine with purchase of 2 entrees at dinner or 10% off Lunch.  Located in Shelter Cove Harbour.  bistro17hhi@aol.com

Designing to Sell ~ FREE 1 hour consultation that includes furniture re-arrangement and design consultation.  (843)301-3226 kellyhughes@designingtosellinc.com

Pana Roofing ~ “FREE” roof cleaning and inspection program.  Please email or call them to schedule an appointment. (843)682-2440 office@panaroofing.com

Hilton Head Prime ~ $25 off Dinner at HH Prime at the Oceanfront Hilton! Father’s Day or any day from 6/14 through 6/28/2009.  Just sign up for their email updates on special events and your $25 off dinner coupon will be waiting for you at HH Prime! http://www.hhprime.com/fathersday_popup/fathersday_popup.asp

Mortgage Network ~ “FREE” One Hour private Consultation with David Crowell~ Mortgage tune up or new purchase includes pitfalls to look out for and opportunities ahead.  Client for life program w/FREE Refi’s call (843)842-4004 dcrowell@mortgagenetwork.com.

Coastal Pools and Fountains, Inc ~ FREE pool design and setback review for home and lot owners.  FREE pool owners first months service with one year contract and FREE standard tile replacement with re-plaster of pool. (843)686-4812 or Danyg@aol.com

Bunting Construction Company ~ FREE garage floor painting included with new home construction contracts over $500,000. Offer valid 6/1/09-12/31/09 (843)384-7468 or sbunting@buntingcompany.com

Free $8,000 Tax Credit ~ FHA-approved lenders were recently given the green light to develop bridge-loan products that would allow first-time buyers (anyone who has not owned a home in the last three years) to use the benefits of the federal tax credit “upfront.”  Contact me (800)932-3652 or islandrealtor@hargray.com

Home or Villa Buyers ~ FREE one year home warranty for buyers after purchase and for sellers during the listing period.  This $550 value is paid for at closing and costs sellers nothing if I do not sell their property.  (800)932-3652 or islandrealtor@hargray.com

Studio V Yoga ~ FREE first session Yoga on the beach for all levels with the mention of this ad. Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. Meet on the Holiday Inn Beach to the right of the Tiki hut when facing the ocean. Bring a large beach towel.  Call Karen (843)816-3777 studiovforhealth@aol.com

Rental Property Buyers ~  FREE Rental Website (Vacation Rental By Owner VRBO) when you purchase a rental property with us.  This includes photos, description, a how to use session and first year payment.  (800)932-3652 or islandrealtor@hargray.com

Pro-Photo ~ 20% off vacation or family professional photos by Scott Moody.  This offer is for the sitting fee at Pro Photo.  Located on Arrow Road past Salty Dog T-Shirt Factory.  scott@prophotosc.com

Masterkey Lock Service ~ $10.00 off the first service call with the mention of this e-mail ad.  Call Richard at (843)684-0688 magnolem@aol.com

Professional Cleaning Services ~ 25% off the first deep clean for homes or villas and 20% off your first regular home or villa cleaning.  Call Zaida Lopez at (843)684-0257

Professional Painting Services ~ 20% off the first paint quote interior or exterior with the mention of this email ad.  Call Roberto Lopez at (843)689-9657

Gentle Spray Powerwash ~ 25% off the power wash of your home or villa with the mention of this email ad.  (843)671-2929 gentlespray@hargray.com

Santa Fe Restaurant ~ Free Appetizer when two or more dinner entrees are ordered(first time with the mention of this email ad.) Offer not for use with any other discounts or specials. (843)785-3838 www.santafehhi.com 

Regions Bank ~ Free with no monthly fee LifeGreen Checking Accounts for students and people over 50.  Includes a Check Card  and  direct deposit or 5 electronic transactions per month or Online Statements (otherwise $5 monthly fee).  (843) 785-5649  Mark.Brittman@Regions.com

We hope you avail yourself to the businesses and the people that have stepped forward with these offers for you.  If you have any questions or comments feel free to call or email us anytime.   Be sure to tell them “Robbie & Jane” sent you.  Thank you.

Have fun!

Robbie Bunting * Jane Hyers

Phone             800-932-3652 ~ 842-0805
e-mail            robbie@robbiebunting.com

Before you print this e-mail, please think of our environment. Thanks!

The top 15 reasons to buy real estate on Hilton Head!

1.  Hilton Head is a driving market from almost anywhere!

2.  Money is cheap right now and everyone needs a home or a place to recharge!

3.  Short selling allows you to short buy in this market.

4.  You will find great locations.

5.  Your kids will thank you someday.

6. Real Estate is not as volatile as stocks.

7.  You can Vacation in your second home investment. 

8.  Real estate loans ARE available.

9. A new baby boomer turns 60 every 7 seconds   (approx. 8,000 a day).

10.  Real estate is temporarily on sale.

11.  Buy when it’s low and be happy.

12.  Sellers are reading the same thing buyers are!

13.  The country needs you to!

14.  High Supply gets you the best pick!

15.  Real Estate always leads us out of tough times!

Your business is truly appreciated.  We thank you for continued trust, your business and the referrals.   

Respectfully,

Robbie Bunting & Jane Hyers

Dear Clients, Friends and Fellow Associates~
 
We would like to share our monthly market trend reports with you.  This crystal ball or trend report tells us where the most robust (busiest) price segments of the market are.  It will show us the active number of listings and the sales that occur each month in each pricing segment.  It also give us an actual listing to sale price, the days on the market and the number of months of inventory.
 
The most critical information that a Market Trend Report will convey is what we call the “Big Three”.  The Big Three are the 3 most vital statistics for any market place in any price range.  The big three statistics are as follows:

1.  Average number of listings taken vs. Average number of sales in a given period which will give us the number of months of inventory that we have.  

2.  Average Days on the Market for properties that do sell when they are correct in price.  

3.  Average List price to Average Sales Price which is an indication of negotiation and the firmness of the market.   

We thought the following packing list and a few cool things happening in the next few weeks would be helpful…

Fun Stuff:

1. Summer Savings Package…Book before 6/8/09 & receive 10-30% off all   daily or weekly rentals through 8/31/09(email us for more information.)
2.  HEADLINERS at Tunes & Brews Wednesday - June 10, 2009~ 5-8 pm at the Shops at Sea Pines Center
3.  Beach Bum Triathlon at Hilton Head Island - June 13, 2009

4.  Menopause the Musical…June 9-July 26, 2009 (Arts Center)
5.  Average Air Temperature 86 ~ Ocean Temperature 82 FULL MOON -    Sunday June 7th

6.  Email us and we will send more ideas!

Beach Packing List

Light colored swimsuits ~ It makes your skin appear tanner!
Camera~ bring zip lock plastic bags to protect them at the beach

Sunglasses that are polarized…Wal-Mart fishing section has the best!

Sunscreen ~  every two hours or after swimming/strenuous activity.

Flip flops ~ the cheaper the better…

Sneakers or tennis shoes depending on where you’re from
Sweat pants/sweatshirt(cold movie theaters)

Towels, buy them here, they are cheaper!

Lip Balm ~ No one likes chapped lips
Jam Box or IPOD for the beach.

Bring along some detergent (packing light is cool)

Bring a tiny flash light so you can find your way on the dark bike paths

Beach Umbrella, Folding chairs, Sand toys for kids are cheaper here!

A large mesh beach bag is good to haul all this stuff to and from the beach

Lastly, put together a beach first-aid kit. It should include things such as Aloe Vera cream, sunburn reliever, band aids and anti-bacterial ointments. Don’t forget the over the counter pain relievers and be sure to add any prescription medications that your family may need while they are traveling. 

Have fun at the beach, but be sure to take a look at real estate.  2009 will go down in the books!  Right now, we are selling some of the best real estate we have ever seen.  Buyers are being rewarded for making offers in this market. 

 
The real estate links below are interesting and can be very helpful.  By the way, if you need wireless internet access while you are on the Island, just pop by my office(#6 Queens Folly Road at the front entrance to Palmetto Dunes). Let the receptionist know you do not need any help, Robbie said it was O.K.

Cyber Homes   Click here to get some cool information about your property or the property you are looking at by simply adding your address of your current property.

Annual Credit Report   Are you ready to buy?  This service is free with Equifax, TransUnion or Experian.

All the best…Robbie Bunting and Jane Hyers

Dear Clients, Friends & Fellow Associates ~

I love being a “tourist for a day” on Hilton Head Island when friends and family visit.  There are so many exciting things to do and see.  They make me remember all the great things we have here as we rediscover the Island together.  As you make your plans this summer, feel free to contact us for maps, ideas and information about the area.  We have put together a list of ideas for fun including “local favorites”.  Keep in mind, this offer is not exclusively for tourists(locals may participate in the fun too)!

·     Kayaking ~ Outside Hilton Head 686-6996 Located in Shelter Cove Marina or Hudson’s off Squire Pope.  All kayak guides are trained Naturalist.  You will love the Tuesday Night Firework “Kayak Tour”

·     Historical Tours ~ Bluffton, Beaufort, Savannah & Charleston Sign up for a horse drawn carriage tour or we will arrange a small family guided tour with advance notice.  We can email easy directions to these historic cities.

·     Rent some bikes ~ Palmetto Dunes Outfitters 785-2449 Inside Palmetto Dunes across from the General Store.  You can explore 26 miles of bike paths from this central location  *Brand New Bikes… 10% off for families

·     Fireworks ~ Every Tuesday Night in Shelter Cove 6:30 – 9:30  Vendors including arts and crafts before the display June 3 – Aug 26  Go to “Up the Creek Pub” off Marshland Road at Broad Creek Marina. Enjoy the fireworks & cookout from this vantage point.

·     Coastal Discovery Museum- North Hwy 278 / Cross Island 689-6767  Take a 2 ½ hour red trolley tour w/ a stop at Harbour Town!  Tuesday and Thursday Nights at 8 pm take a loggerhead tour and talk (sightings not guaranteed) reserve. 689-6767 ext. 223

·     Lighthouse ~ Harbour Town in Sea Pines   Make the most of this trip.  Leave after lunch, go to Harbour Town and climb the lighthouse and play ground.  Take your rollerblades or bikes and visit South Beach to get a cool drink and a Salty Dog T-Shirt then dinner at Truffles in Sea Pines Center.  Keep your pass that you purchased at the gate and if you spend $100 or more in Sea Pines, the $5.00 is credited by that merchant

·     Shop ~ Tangar Outlet malls off Island or Unique Boutiques   Village of Wexford, Coligny Plaza, Harbour Town, Shelter Cove or Sea Pines Center… the shopping is fantastic.  Hit the shops early and on nice days as later in the week and especially on weather days the shops and restaurants are busy.

·     Daufuskie Island ~ Broad Creek Marina 342-8687  Rent a golf cart and check out all the Beach, Marshside Mamas Art Galleries on Daufuskie.  $23.00 Round trip ferry trips per person ~ Rent a 4 passenger golf-cart for $50.00 for the day and explore  $3.00 off per person Coupon in Where to Go Magazine!

·     Real Estate Tours ~ These tours will be informative and educational  and include exciting new opportunities around the Island.  Rainy days are not always the best for the beach, but they are the best days to preview our real estate! (if it looks good on a rainy day, you will love it on a sunny one!)

Our tours will take you into gated communities and into homes and villas that match the price point you are looking for. We have several tours a week(Mon-Sat and Sunday by Appt.) with price ranges as follows:            

             Tour 1 ~ Under $400,000
             Tour 2 ~ $400,000-$700,000
             Tour 3 ~ $700,000-$1,000,0000
             Tour 4 ~ Over 1 million

Let us know which tour you will be interested in.  On the tour you will receive a free Real Estate Information and Negotiation Package  which will include a list of current mortgage rates, a sample contract,  the top ten best buys on the Island, common addendums, a complete list of the foreclosures in the area and our very best listings for sale.   Island Real Estate Packages can be emailed or mailed to you before, after or during your visit.  Tours are not a requirement to request a package.  Thank you.

 Enjoy your summer!  Feel free to e-mail or call us to sign up for a tour or for maps to the Historic Cities above.  Our direct line is 800-932-3652 and our email is islandrealtor@hargray.com . Thank you.

~Happy Summer~

Robbie Bunting & Jane Hyers

Dear Property Owners:

If you want to have a free assessment of your property, our 15 point review can provide great insight.  Whether thinking of selling or just want an honest opinion, send us an email and we will complete a quick report including the information below.

This will be a simple exploratory report that gives you a “snapshot” of your property and the surrounding properties.  We will give you some honest feedback on the condition, the properties around it and what is happening in the neighborhood. 

After walking through your property, we will send you feedback including:

1.       The First Impression:

2.       Landscaping(front and back)

3.       Paint(interior/exterior)’

4.       Furnishings

5.       Layout of Interior

6.       Condition inside:

7.       Ease of Access:

8.       Condition outside:

9.       Best Selling Feature/Secondary Selling Feature:

10.       Biggest Objection/Secondary Objection:

11.       Improvement Ideas/Staging Ideas:

12.       Pre-Inspection requirement?

13.       Neighboring Properties        

14.       Areas that need attention

15.       Financing Availability

We hope this is helpful to you.  This report will not include pricing and listing information.  Upon completion of our preliminary study, a pricing and listing study may be completed upon request.  Thank  you.

All the best,

Robbie Bunting