       
Near Sea Pines Circle
on William Hilton
Parkway
PO Box 7526
Hilton Head Island
SC 29938
Toll Free 866-785-9501
843-785-9500
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Hilton Head Island Real Estate Information
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Understanding Hilton Head Island Real Estate
Hilton Head Island is South Carolina’s premier oceanfront resort destination. One of the world’s most family-friendly vacation spots, this barrier island is exceptional. Hilton Head Island real estate is also unique. Home to nine environmentally planned resort communities, Hilton Head supports more than 30,000 full-time residents. These private, gated “plantations” each have their own style of architecture and distinctive amenities, whether it be private beach access, water, golf, biking, tennis—or all of the above. Lancaster Resort Sales can assist you in finding the perfect home, villa or lot purchase.
 The island’s upscale waterfront plantations include Sea Pines, Shipyard, Palmetto Dunes and Port Royal. They offer luxury homes, villas and lots for sale. Homes, villas and land for sale in these areas as well as “off-plantation” (non-gated communities) and in Bluffton are priced to purchase now and keep for later—or to move into immediately. Properties on the island and in Bluffton are excellent investments. Please use our MLS search for your realty needs in these areas.
The Weather
The local climate is considered to be semi-tropical, which is why people love Hilton Head Island. The mid-winter temperature will customarily range from about the 60s during the day to the lower 40s at night. The spring and fall seasons are delightful, with mild evening and daytime temperatures. Outdoor activities can be enjoyed year-round, with the exception of a few days where Father Winter makes his presence known. Click here for Hilton Head Weather.
The Beaches of Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island offers about 19 miles of beach from Dolphin Head to South Beach in Sea Pines. Most of it is along the Atlantic Ocean in Sea Pines Plantation, Shipyard, Forest Beach, Folly Field, Palmetto Dunes, some along the Calibogue Sound, some in Port Royal Plantation on the Port Royal Sound and some on a small beach next to Dolphin Head in Hilton Head Plantation. On the ocean side, light gray beach sands are comprised of finely crushed shells, rocks and organic matter, made hard-packed by ocean waves. At high tide, animals, shells and marine plants wash ashore, forming a noticeable wrack line. Ebbing tides expose long pools named runnels that are refuges for many marine creatures. At dead low tide, the soggy sands are decorated with peculiar holes, tubes and remains of or from sea life.
The beaches slope very gradually in most areas. You can go out a long way from shore and still be able to stand with your head above water. This gradual slope inhibits wave action, making it the perfect environment for children. It also means the tides have a very significant effect on the width of the beach. The sand below the mid tide line is usually hard packed enough to support a bicycle with wide tires, and biking on the beach at or near low tide is a popular pastime.
The entire beach is public, from the ocean to the high water mark. Access to the beach, however, is often private. The Town of Hilton Head Island provides beach accesses at six different locations. Metered spaces are provided at each location as well as restrooms, changing areas, sand showers and vending.
Real Estate Lingo
“Is oceanfront the same as ocean view?” Absolutely not! Oceanfront simply means that the home is on the shoreline with no obstructions, i.e., other homes to block the frontal view.
“What does second or third or fourth row mean?” Second row means that the home is the second home back from the dune, third row is the third home back, and so forth.
“Are lagoons and tidal creeks and marshes the same thing as swamps?” No. A swamp is usually characterized by very slow-moving fresh waters often rich in decaying vegetation. Our lagoons, tidal creeks and marshes are mostly salt water as they are directly associated with estuaries and along waterways between coastal barrier islands and the inner coast. Our marshes contain grassy vegetation and feature rushes and reeds.
“What are dunes and why are they important?” Our island’s dunes are vitally important to nature and to man. Dunes form when blowing beach sand collects in the wrack line of beach flotsam. Specialized seaside plants grow in this organic mulch and trap even more sand, causing dunes to grow taller and wider. These sturdy herbs, vines and grasses come equipped to withstand salt in the wind a soil, intense winds and sunlight and fluctuations in temperature. In short, they keep our beaches from eroding.
“Why do some houses look like tiny bungalows while the homes next to them are elevated and enormous and have six or eight bedrooms?” Well, in the early days of Hilton Head, just after the first bridge was built in the 1950s, the conveniences of life weren’t so convenient. Prospectors purchased land along the beach at unheard-of prices and some were bold enough to build a bungalow for the family to “rough it out.” They didn’t live here full time, so there was no need for luxury, extra space or even a carport. Hence the tiny bungalows you might see in Forest Beach or Folly Field. However, the tiny bungalows are giving way to prosperity. With oceanfront and ocean-oriented lots selling in the millions of dollars, it only makes sense to build larger, more luxurious homes which will give you a larger return on your investment via rental income.
“You want HOW MUCH for that house?” Hilton Head Island real estate is a phenomenal investment. Maybe that house needs a lot of work to make her into what you want her to be. Maybe she just needs to go altogether. You must consider the lot values on Hilton Head. Is it near the ocean? Is it on the water? Does it have deep water access? Perhaps a dock? Is it on the golf course? Is it in a wooded area? Remember, it’s not always about the house!
History of the Island
Thousands of years before the first Spaniards set foot on the shore of the new world, this Sea Island was home to Native Americans. Today the island bears the name of the English explorer, Captain William Hilton. In 1663 he was sent to preview the South Carolina region. Subsequent colonization of the area brought an era of cultivation when cotton, rice and indigo were harvested by slave labor on vast plantations. After the Civil War, the Island’s land was divided and bestowed upon slaves who would live quietly on Hilton Head for the better part of the next century.
After the Civil War, Hilton Head Island was a very peaceful and isolated place. Since most plantation owners were not able to produce crops without slave labor, some of the land was given to plantation workers. Most of those who remained on the island earned a living by farming and fishing. They had little contact with the mainland because the only way to travel off the island was by boat. Given this geographic isolation, native islanders were able to maintain their folkways and language. The Gullah have remained unchanged and have held on to their past.
The development of the island began when, in the 1950s, a young landscape architect named Charles Fraser laid out a master plan for the island’s south end community called Sea Pines Plantation. The vision was to “lay lightly on the land” by building unobtrusive homes to blend with the landscape. Roads would wind around, not through, and the land would be set aside in its pristine state for the enjoyment of generations to come. The rest of the island followed suite, creating a resort community like no other.
The Island of Today
Besides the beaches, the sunsets, and the amazingly beautiful homes, Hilton Head Island offers yet more. Hundreds of restaurants, many located on the water, to whet your palate with your hearts’ desire of cuisine. There is shopping for the most discriminating buyer with stores to rival 5th Avenue. Entertainment, whether it be children’s activities, water-oriented sports such as fishing, crabbing, dolphin cruises, fun things for the teenagers or a relaxing time for the adults, is available year-round. Or check out horseback riding, bicycling, tennis or golf. Do you enjoy plays? Maybe you want art galleries and theatre. It’s all here.
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