Blog Hilton Head

If you are ready to start your spring gardening, here are two ideas. 

1. Plant a medicinal herb garden(enjoy the article below) or contact Kaycey Hadl to plant a herb garden for you!  Not only does her company do terrific landscape design, they also provide installation and maintenance.  There email is anchorland@gmail.com  
2. Call Christine at Sea Pines CSA for a truckload of Mulch for your flower beds.  Of course, you may have to wait for delivery(there were 28 loads in front of mine and I have to wait a week or two), but the mulch is free(with the exception of any gate fees).  The phone number for the free mulch is (843)671-1343. 

Herb Gardening: Growing Culinary

& Medicinal Herbs in Your Garden

By Kaycey Hadl & Andrew Baumann

The following are some of the highlights of our presentation.  If you would like the full presentation notes, please e-mail us at anchorland@gmail.com

Herbs Covered: 

Parsley- Petroselinum crispum

Dill- ¬Anethum graveolen

Sage- Salvia officinalis

Mint-Mentha sp.

How to dry herbs: 

Drying is simple:  Here is our method of hanging herbs:  First, take and bundle a bunch of the herb together at the base of the stems.  You may use a rubber band, wire tie, or piece of small nylon cord to create this bundle.  Then, use a clothespin to attach the bundle to a wire clothes hanger.  You may attach several bunches of drying herbs to one clothes hanger, but make sure to give each bundle space.  Hang in your laundry room (as long as it’s not too dusty or well-lit in the laundry room).  Reason for hanging  in the laundry room is because it is warm, dry, and DARK.  Moisture and sun exposure are no good for hanging herbs.  Crush or chop the dried herbs into an airtight container.

PLEASE NOTE THAT FRESHLY USED HERBS HAVE THE MOST NUTRITIONALLY, MEDICINAL VALUE!

Parsley:

• Parsley is best grown in four to six hours of morning sun with afternoon shade- especially during the hot months of the summer.
• Parsley likes miost, well-drained soils with alot of organic matter. 
• Need to reseed or replant parsley every year
• Parsley is a host plant for the larvae of the Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly- This is the State Butterfly!
• It is a natural breath freshener- a pallet cleanser and aids in digestion.
• Can be used in stews, chicken dishes, shellfish dishes, pestos, salad dressings, turkey stuffing, over raw and cooked vegetables, beef, lamb, and pork.
• Sprinkle the raw form into whatever I may be cooking toward the end of its cooking cycle.
• Parsley seed oil has the most medicinal / nutritional value of the plant.
• Parsley is an effective diuretic- eliminating kidney and gall stones.
• Externally, parsley can be used to treat insect bites, skin spots, and acne with fresh juice from the leaves and stems. 
• Avoid eating parsley while you are trying to become pregnant or you are pregnant because it can stimulate the uterus and causes pre-term labor

Dill

• Dill needs 6 to 8 hours of full- sun
• USDA hardiness zones:  9 and above
• Plant in fertile, Well- drained, moist soil in mid to late March
• When planting or seeding, plant close together so gangly stocks can support one-another
• Used in the kitchen- It’s a different type of spicy!
• The leaves, flowers, and seeds are all edible.  Dill has a sweet, citrusy flavor.
• Seafoods crave dill- crab, scallops, most all fish- dill goes best on seafood with a lemon / garlic sauce to compliment
• Soups- pumpkin soup, tomato soup, cabbage soup (one of my favorites), and homemade chicken soup
• Use dill to enhance scrambled eggs- not just for breakfast!
• Many cooking / service sauces can be seasoned with dill:  Mustard sauce; horseradish sauce, ranch dressing
• Add dill to some leftover dishes to change-up old flavor
• Dill is great for relieving flatulence and colic
• Stomach soothing Tea:  Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of seed per one cup of boiling water and steep for 10 mins.
• Use up to 3 times per day

Sage:

• Latin name for sage (salvia) means to ‘Heal All’
• Native to the Mediterranean region- belongs to the Lamiaciae family
• More than 900 different species of salvia worldwide- not all are edible!
• USDA Hardiness Zones- 5 thru 10
• Sage has a dry, smokey, southwestern flavor.  One might even compare it to a mild chipotle flavor.
• Sage should be used in moderation when cooking with it depending upon the type of dish
• Use sage mostly in meat dishes:  Pork, beef, lamb, turkey, chicken- usually not fish
• Works well with potatoes, and breads- foccacia bread usually contains sage- Don’t forget the stuffing!
• Sage (like dill) relieves flatulence
• Studies have been shown that sage is effective in the management of moderate and mild Alzheimer’s disease
• Sage has high antibody properties- It’s great against fighting infections

Mint:

• In the Lamiaciae family- Originates from the Mediterranean Region
• Many, many, many varieties of mints
• Mint grows best in cool moist, well-drained soils
• Needs 4 to 6 hours of morning sun
• Mint can be used to deters aphids when planted near roses- Good companion plant!
• Primarily for dessert dishes
• Goes hand in hand with chocolate
• Over Gelato or vanilla ice cream
• Mint Jelly over lamb
• Mint oil Extraction:  Place 1/4th cup of mint leaves in a glass jar, and cover with 1.5 cups of almond oil.  Let the mixture set in a warm spot for one week shaking the jar twice a day.  Occassionally, open the mixture and press with a spoon to extract the essential oils. Now add 8 oz of this herbal oil and place in a non-metal pan with ¼ cup of bee’s wax.  Heat over a low temperature- creating your desired consistency. Add more bee’s wax if the mixture is too soft. 
• Mint is good for reliving colds, colic, muscle aches and pains
• Mint aids in digestion by breaking-down fats in the body
• Mint (like Parsley) is a natural diuretic- when made as a tea

Please enjoy this information! 

Consult with your physician before attempting to use any of this medicinal information to cure or treat any relating ailments.  AnchorLand Management is not liable for harm caused to oneself while attempting to use any of the mentioned herbs, medicinally.

We have attached the link to the 2010 February Market Study.  This report shows the activity in the real estate market in a very recent snapshot.  Below is a quick summary of this report: Read the rest of this entry

For more information, contact:
Walt Molony 202-383-1177 wmolony@realtors.org

Fourth Quarter Existing-Home Sales Surge in Most States, Prices Up in More Areas

Shoveling Sunshine on Hilton Head!

I love calling prospects in the north after a big snow storm.  As we chat the conversation always turns to the weather.  With over 200 days of sunshine and subtropical temperatures, Hilton Head Island offers incredible weather throughout the year.  One of the best guides to our weather is The Real Seasons of Hilton Head by Todd Ballantine shown.  Not only is our weather good, we shovel a lot of sunshine all year round. 

Hilton Head Island is kept warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer by thermos or the ocean breezes over the warm sea(that is why you see people swimming in the ocean in January).  In fact, our moderate winter days are typically warmer than other inland southern cities.  As well winter months have less rain than the wetter summer months with sub tropical temperatures that are perfect for snowbirds or real estate shoppers looking for a warm weather escape.  The winter is the Island’s sports season, which is perfect for golf, long beach walks, biking, tennis and most other outdoor activities. 

For all of those digging out in the Northeast today, here is a link to today’s weather on Hilton Head Island.  Of course, if you are tired of shoveling today and would like to look at some Island Real Estate, we would be more than happy to help out.  Simply email us at robbie@robbiebunting.com and put in the subject line “Warm me up!”

Baby boomers want to be warm and wet!

In their retirement and golden years baby~boomers want warm weather and the ocean nearby.  Do not wait to long to make get your foot in the door on Hilton Head Island as boomers are now turning 60 at the rate of 8,000 a day and represent 38% of our total population in this country.  The way I see it based on 2.5 million visitors per year to Hilton Head Island, we have over 950,000 of  these Baby Boomers visiting the Island with about 50,000 of them turning 60 years old every year for the next 17 years.  Our recommendation is to be ahead of this herd!  We are just beginning to hear the rumble.

Get a free credit report today!

Now is an incredible time for you to purchase a new property or look at refinancing your current property. To be sure you do not miss out on this opportunity Mortgage Network is offering a free credit report with every consultation.

All credit reports are not the same!

It is important to note that while credit reports are available online, the scores do not accurately reflect your score when being considered for mortgage purposes. Liabilities are weighted differently when the report is done for mortgage purposes rather than informational purposes. Our report will give you immediate insight into the interest rates and terms that are available based on your score.

All you need is the attached form and we will issue a report immediately. This is a $30 value.  Simply print the form and fax back to 843-785-6404 to the attention of David Crowell.

Looking forward to an exciting 2010!

David Crowell
Senior Loan Officer
Mortgage Network, Inc.

dcrowell@mortgagenetwork.com
1000 William Hilton Parkway
Suite 205
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Office: 843-842-4004
Fax: 843-785-6404

Staging or furnishing deadlines!

The days of no interest, no payments will soon be gone at Rooms to Go.  If you want either Vacant Home Staging or just some additional pieces of furniture and not make a payment on until 2012 please let Kalyani know ASAP. The last day to be able to order is 2/15/10! I’d need to have everything ready to be ordered by then.
 
Kalyani Persons
Home Staging In Paradise
www.HomeStagingInParadise.com
Kalyani@HomeStagingInParadise.com
843/815-4412

Are you making a move on Hilton Head Island?

Deadlines are rapidly approaching for Tax Credits for first time home buyers and home sellers considering moving up.  The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009’s tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified move-up home buyers ends April 30, 2010. You can purchase by June 30, 2010 but must have a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010.  The first time buyers tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence also ends April 30, 2010. A purchase completed by June 30, 2010 (with a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010) may qualify.

Historically low interest rates, historically low housing prices in most areas and great values in the move up home market make this the perfect time to act. Call me for a free consultation to run the numbers for you. Don’t miss out on the great values!

Looking for an FHA loan on Hilton Head?

There is a strong indication that loans handled by FHA Mortgages, will be changing in the near future. These FHA backed mortgage programs are going to be adjusted or even overhauled.  These changes, depending what the changes are, will most likely influence the real estate market as a whole. 

During the real estate boom the use of FHA mortgages dropped to around 2% of the loans.  That figure has shot up to 25% and even higher in some markets.  Any substantial changes to FHA lending requirements could affect in some cases, the most active segment in many real estate markets. 

Congress is pressing on FHA to tighten the standards toward borrowers.  The options on what they will do to tighten these standards are broad and could include increasing FICO scores, require more amount of the down payment and reducing Seller contributions to closing costs

All these have been expressed and are being explored and if you are a buyer that needs an FHA loan, the time to act is now!  Don’t take a chance on time…email us today at robbie@robbiebunting.com or call us toll free at m1-800-932-3652 to get your foot in the door now!

Hilton Head Island offers great golf.  If you will be visiting the area and would like to make a tee time, please click a link below. 

Public Golf Courses on Hilton Head (20)

Arthur Hills Golf Course at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort
Barony Golf Course
Crescent Pointe Golf Club
Eagle’s Pointe Golf Club
George Fazio Golf Course at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort
Harbour Town Golf Links
Heron Point by Pete Dye
Hilton Head National Golf Club
Island West Golf Club
Ocean Course
Old South Golf Links
Oyster Reef
Palmetto Hall Golf Club
Planter’s Row Golf Course
Port Royal Golf Club
Robber’s Row Golf Course
Robert Cupp Golf Course at Palmetto Hall
Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Golf Course at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort
Rose Hill Golf Club
Shipyard Golf Club

Private Golf Course in Hilton Head (7)

Bear Creek Golf Club
Berkeley Hall Club
Colleton River Plantation Club, Inc.
Dataw Island
Dolphin Head Golf Club
Golden Bear Golf Club
Secession Golf Course

Please let us know if we can help you with a tee time, accomodations or restaurant suggestions.  If you are interested in looking at real estate on your visit, please email us at robbie@robbiebunting.com .  In the interim, you can preview some of our properties at www.robbiebunting.com. 

If you are planning on making a great dinner at home, stop and visit Barnacle Bills Seafood mid Island on Highway 278 (next to the old log cabin gas station).  Bill’s is a landmark and tradition on the Island with his seafood stand and his great attitude.   Not only will he entertain you, he will also help you select the freshest of seafood.  He specializes in locally caught seafood including Tuna, Snapper and other catchesof the day(he gets three deliveries daily so you can be assured it is fresh).  He told me he does not just verbalize how fresh it is, he helps others visualize what to look for when buying seafood.   Below is a note from Bill and to the left is a recipe for boiling shrimp….his secret is to move it off the heat as soon as he puts the shrimp in! 

Barnacle Bill’s…for All Who are Fond of a Blissful Experience

With 30 years of promoting and marketing fresh seafood on Hilton Head Island times have changed.  One of the few things that has remained consistent is the freshness and variety at Barnacle Bill’s.  With fresh deliveries arriving 3 times per day, the customer is assured of top quality and high shelf life.  When the customers arrive, the experience is not verbal but visual.  The senses assume control and the questions are answered.  Come visit, relax, experience the difference.  Enjoy the live music and free refreshments.  We have the prices and atmosphere that will make you smile.

Thank you,

Barnacle Bill

Oh, I just remembered… All real estate agents, bank personnel and lawyers recieve a 20% discount on orders made in February!  Bring your real estate agent with you to get this discount!

Here is a great formula that helps your local community stay local and it is not too difficult.  When was the last time you visited a local studio, attended a gallery hop or spent $50 in a local market or shop.  These shops are the backbone to our tourism industry.  So attend the gallery hop or this weekend enjoy the local shops.  You will make a difference.

Have you heard about the 3/50 Project? 

An amazingly easy formula designed to save the brick and mortar our nation is built on.
 
Here’s how it works:

3:

Pick three locally-owned businesses you’d hate to see disappear, and visit them. Pick up a little something that makes you happy.  You are keeping the shop in business today.

50:

Commit $50 each month to supporting locally-owned businesses, shops or restaurants.  If half of the employed in the US would do that, we’d generate more than $42 billion each year for our local entrepreneurs.

68:

With each $100 we spend in locally-owned businesses, $68 stays within our community.  Big box stores? Only $43.  Internet shopping?  You guessed it… nada. 

It’s that simple.

Interested in a free Medical and Fire Alarm on Hilton Head?

A note from Mark Zoran:

As a Fire Fighter I see many issues daily the could be prevented or lessened, only if measures had been in place to monitor a person or dwelling.

Why? First many people today NEED these items,  but they create a financial burden. Not only to the user but also their family. Some people may not need a medical alarm but have always wanted a monitored Smoke Alarm to speak for them when they can’t or are not home. 

I believe that Fire Damage and Injury can be costly, preventing it shouldn’t be.  So, with that said the alarm is FREE. What’s included? The base unit (about the size of an answering machine), an emergency button (worn as a pendant, wrist band, or a belt clip), and if requested, a Smoke Detector. Because of the nature of this setup, renters have an advantage. The system is wireless and does not require any permanent installation. So if you happen to move you can bring the alarm with you!

There is a monitoring fee that works out to about $0.83 a day or 24.99 monthly. (Many other companies charge between $35 and $50 monthly) This fee is Tax deductible as a medical expense and if the smoke detector is opted for, it may reduce Home Owners Insurance up to 26% in some cases (Please contact your Insurance Agent for details).

Obviously not everyone needs a Medical Alert System for their home, that is why we are offering the monitored smoke detector FREE as well. Many people have wanted a monitored smoke detector but were unable to justify the high initial costs incurred. Now people won’t have the worries of an initial investment.

This system may not apply to you. But how about your family, parents or friends. As we can ship these units anywhere, they don’t have to live in Beaufort County. It is my goal to supply all who want and need these alarms are allowed to have access to them. You can’t put a price on life safety. So I won’t.

Thank You
 
Mark Zoran
Owner / Operator
www.ImperialSecurityandWiring.com

888.479.3678 or 888.479.2329 

 Imperial Security & Wiring
Technically Driven. Totally Easy. IT made simple.