It is said that all the best journeys lead back to home. I find that especially true with Hilton Head real estate. Over the years, I have worked with clients who, after vacationing here year after year, decided to purchase a condo, villa or home on Hilton Head. Some wanted to start small and upgrade later, while others knew exactly what they wanted, blazed a trail to find it, bought it, and never looked back. I am referring to clients who were still in their working prime, many of whom had small children in school in states across the country and were not yet ready to move. So, while they were not ready to retire or make the permanent move to the Island, they wanted to secure their spot. They realized early-on that they wanted to end up on
Your first time on Hilton Head Island: it wasn’t what you expected; it was so much better! It’s known as the Hilton Head Effect—and it is electrifying! For so many, those weekend visits to the Island turn into weeklong vacations, then a month, then summers, then, finally, a lifetime. Your desire for a home or villa on Hilton Head becomes reality. But it doesn’t just happen. It happens because you dream about it, you plan for it, you do your homework, you work with the right Realtor, and you are selective in your purchase decision. It happens because you make it happen, and when it all falls into place it is magical.
But what was it that really turned you on to Hilton Head? Was it the sun-soaked beaches, the beautiful homes with their sunny
It’s time to turn inspiration into action! You’ve thought about purchasing a property on the Island, but are waiting for the right time. Now is the right time! Hilton Head homes, villas and lots currently for sale are hard to resist. Price points are still quite affordable and mortgage rates are low. What are you waiting for?
With the fantastic finds and hidden gems on the market, why not enjoy relaxed living at your own beach retreat. Each community offers its own collection of neighborhoods, each with its own design elements and character whether alongside the unspoiled beaches in Palmetto Dunes and Leamington, overlooking the grassy tidal marshes in Hilton Head Plantation, tucked among the towering live oaks in Wexford, offering long views of
When showing real estate to clients, I am often asked if I live on the Island and, if so, where; followed by, “Where did you move from?” and “How long have you been selling real estate?” My answers usually surprise them. I moved here on a lark in my 20s from Oklahoma (via the University of Texas at Austin) after visiting only once. Like so many friends and clients, I fell in love with the Island the moment my toes hit the sand. I’ve lived here for nearly 30 years and have been selling real estate for that long. Along the way, my wife and I have built many homes and have owned properties in various communities—North Forest Beach, Folly Field, Palmetto Dunes/Leamington and Sea Pines Resort to name a few. Gated or ungated, primary
It’s What’s On The Inside That Counts Thus, after years of restraint and discipline, property owners (and those seeking to purchase property) are eager to move forward with updating, upgrading and renovating.
We’ve all heard it; it’s an old and familiar adage. There is another maxim that takes the first one up a twist and to another level. It reads something like this: What’s On The Inside Always Makes Its Way Out. Put another way, you can try to cover it up but it will make itself known in the end.
Homes are much the same way. A well-designed, quality-built home will stand the test of time regardless of changing styles, decorating fads or the newest building trends. Construction on Hilton Head, like everything else, moves in cycles.
Life on an island conjures many visions from beachy natural and retro rustic, to multi-storied mansions to single floor bungalows; from high-gloss imported wood floors to unfinished local pine planks; from the traditional nautical color palette to sand-inspired muted tones. Tastes and budgets that go along with the lifestyle vary as widely as the amenities within the communities on the Island, yet it all seems to work. It’s a coastal thing.
Hilton Head Island is unique in many ways but since this is a real estate blog, we’ll keep the focus on real estate. I often receive calls from prospective clients who call in after visiting my website. They are somewhat confused over pricing—they are inquiring as to why one house or villa is so much more
You want to sell your home, but it needs some work before you put it on the market. There are no major structural issues, the roof is good, the siding has held up well; it just needs some tweaking to get it up to standard with —and preferably beyond—comparables currently on the market. What are the best upgrades and replacements for the money? Well, it depends on the house, and, of course, the location. But more than that, it depends on the market to whom you are selling.
Let’s say you have a home near the beach. Maybe it’s oceanfront, second-row, third-row (or even further back) and it was built after 1977 (so it conforms to FEMA flood elevation standards). It’s been a good house, it’s a great size, it was built well, has a garage and
Building is back in style! Of course, it never went out of style; it just took a back seat to more pressing issues of the day. Many lot owners who purchased at the height of the market (2005-2006) and who fully intended to start construction immediately after closing, had second thoughts about doing so. Reasons for delaying construction varied; topping the list, however, was the postponement of moving plans due to the economy and the fact that slow home sales and falling prices elsewhere were prohibiting that move. Many lots sat empty for many years. Then, as it always does, things turned around. Building permits are being issued again and the island is experiencing an architectural and construction boom…and that is a good thing! New
As one of the most desirable resorts in the world, Hilton Head Island is acclaimed for its beautiful beaches, spectacular golf, luxury real estate, coastal and casual lifestyle, noted cultural organizations and myriad outdoor activities. Two bridges removed from the mainland, the island hosts a variety of lifestyle choices including oceanfront, ocean-oriented, deepwater, marsh and inland single-family homes, condos, and villas. Cost points vary by location with water features fetching top tier pricing.
From small, intimate country club communities to oceanfront world-class resorts with large nature preserves, there are beautifully designed and meticulously landscaped properties on the island, including lovely home and villas in Sea Pines
Hilton Head Island was around long before there was golf—we have a long, proud history—but it was the golf that put Hilton Head on the map. To be sure, in 1969 when the first tournament was played, the sunsets over Calibogue Sound captivated the crowds just as they do today and the ocean’s tides rolled in just as they had since the dawn of time; yet a transformation had been put in place that would bring national fame to Sea Pines and launch the Island on an upward trajectory that is still advancing five decades after the initial round.
Each Spring, the Island eagerly anticipates the arrival of the RBC Heritage. The hustle and bustle of set-up as well as grounds maintenance and beautification within the Resort are all welcome signs. Residents and
