The Hilton Head Homes Blog - Bill True

February 2020 Market Reports

As we progressed through February, the actual and expected impacts of COVID-19 continued to grow, with concerns of economic impact reaching the stock market in the last week of the month. As the stock market declined, so did mortgage rates, offering a bad news-good news situation. While short term declines in the stock market can sting, borrowers who lock in today’s low rates will benefit significantly in the long term.

New Listings were down 2.3 percent to 650. Pending Sales increased 21.8 percent to 586. Inventory shrank 14.5 percent to 2,046 units.

Prices moved higher as Median Sales Price was up 7.5 percent to $322,463. Days on Market increased 11.3 percent to 148 days. Months Supply of Inventory was down 20.4 percent to 4.3 months,…

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The Details That Make a Difference When Staging Your Home

Getting a house ready for sale is more than dusting the furniture and mopping the floors. You have to show homebuyers what the house could look like when they put their personal touches into place. Selling a home on Hilton Head, or any other coastal area draws in sun bunnies when the weather is nice, but winter can be a challenge. Details make a difference when staging your home in colder temperatures.

What Is Staging?

Home staging is the art of preparing a property so that it appeals to buyers who will pay more money for the privilege of living in it. The idea is to convince others to invest their money toward a certain lifestyle. Real estate experts have the inside scoop on what works best.

Curb Appeal

That first glance is everything…

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2019 Year End Housing Report

The 2019 housing market was fueled by the overall strength of the economy across most of the country. The stock markets reached new highs throughout the year, improving the asset bases of millions of Americans. Unemployment rates fell to 50-year lows, while wages increased, creating new home buyers. Mortgage rates also declined significantly from 2018, helping to offset affordability stresses caused by continued price appreciation nationally.  ***More Info below Graph***

With a strong economy and low mortgage rates, buyer activity has been strong. However, most markets are being constrained by inventory levels that are still below historical norms. With supply and demand continuing to favor sellers, prices continue to rise.

With 10 years having now…

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Got Shoes? We'll Take them! Help Support Bluffton High School PTO

Between January 13th and March 9th, Bluffton High School PTO is collecting new, used and gently worn shoes, sneakers, slippers, dance shoes, boots and the like.  If you have a closet full of shoes that you don't wear or no longer fit, we'd love to take them off your hands, er, feet... you know what we mean!  Feel free to share with friends, family, neighbors and co-workers for their donations. This collection is used to support micro-enterprise vendors and small businesses in developing nations. 

There are two different places to drop off your considerate donation:

Our Hilton Head Office is located at 23C Shelter Cove Lane, Suite 100A or our Bluffton Office at 212 Bluffton Road, third floor above Shoreline Construction. We greatly appreciate your…

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November 2019 Market Reports

In November, the Federal Reserve reduced its benchmark rate for the third time this year. This action was widely anticipated by the market. Mortgage rates have remained steady this month and are still down more than 1 percent from last year at this time. Residential new construction activity continues to rise nationally. The U.S. Commerce Department reports that new housing permits rose 5% in October to a new 12-year high of 1.46 million units.

New Listings were down 10.3 percent to 478. Pending Sales increased 10.5 percent to 412. Inventory shrank 11.2 percent to 2,120 units.

Prices moved lower as Median Sales Price was down 5.4 percent to $304,990. Days on Market increased 5.2 percent to 141 days. Months Supply of Inventory was down 18.2 percent…

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Welcome Allison Luce to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hilton Head Bluffton Realty!

We are excited to welcome Allison Luce to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hilton Head Bluffton Realty!  Allison started her love for the love Lowcountry after many years of vacationing on Hilton Head Island.  Originally from Pittsburgh OH, she had lived in North Carolina in the Charlotte / Lake Norman area and even lived abroad in Italy and also as a Resident Artist in Germany, Denmark and Canada!  Allison and her husband are happy to now call Hilton Head Island her permanent home.

Before starting her real estate career, Allison was a full-time studio artist and college art instructor.  She has an eye for detail and dedicated work ethic which has helped her help her clients with their real estate needs.

Learn more about Allison HERE.

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Hilton Head Island's Natural Beauty: Our Beaches

I have lived near the Atlantic Ocean all my life.

The beaches I have walked can be found within the borders of every state from Maine to Florida and I have enjoyed them all. However, when I first set foot on the sandy shores of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina I knew I had found a magical place.

From that day forward I told anyone who would listen, Hilton Head beaches were the most amazing on the eastern seaboard…and then I received the surprise that altered that bragging claim, (I live minutes from the Hilton Head beaches).

One day, after riding my bike from the beach at Sea Pines (semipublic) to Coligny Beach (public) and back, I was walking my bike off the beach when I was stopped by a couple walking onto the sand.

After they…

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October 2019 Market Reports

In October, mortgage rates increased slightly from the three-year lows seen in September. While the Federal Reserve reduced the federal-funds target rate by .25%, this decline was widely expected and largely factored into mortgage rates already, which are still approximately 1% lower than this time last year. Fannie Mae is predicting that continued low rates, and possibly lower rates, are expected in 2020.

New Listings were down 0.1 percent to 673. Pending Sales increased 18.2 percent to 500. Inventory shrank 9.6 percent to 2,166 units.

Prices moved higher as Median Sales Price was up 4.9 percent to $350,270. Days on Market increased 10.5 percent to 147 days. Months Supply of Inventory was down 16.4 percent to 4.6 months, indicating that demand…

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4 Question You Need to Ask When Buying a Hilton Head Island Vacation Property

The allure is appealing. Owning a vacation property, a little place of your own to escape to on long weekends is the dream of many home owners.

And what better place than Hilton Head Island?

The gorgeous South Carolina sun, the cool waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Calibogue Sound, the world-class golf courses and the iconic low land landscape combine to create a truly one-of-a-kind vacation destination. The island has been attracting vacationers for decades, why wouldn't you want to stake your own claim in the land?

Plus, it’s never been a better time to buy!

As with any major investment, you need to use a degree of caution and know what you’re getting into. Here are four questions you need to ask yourself when buying a Hilton Head Island…

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How to Prepare Your Lawn for Fall in South Carolina

That green, healthy grass on your South Carolina property doesn’t grow overnight. It takes persistence, patience, and proper care. Preparing your lawn for the fall and winter will help it thrive in spring and summer.

With average high temperatures in the upper 50s in winter and low 90s in summer, the area gets less than 6 inches of rain each month. Keeping the grass trimmed, well-hydrated, weed-free, and fertilized in the fall will help your lawn thrive. Fall is a good time to get South Carolina yard grass ready for cooler temperatures.

Here's a guide on how to prepare your lawn for fall in South Carolina:

Know Your Grass

Warm-season grasses are suitable for South Carolina. Chances are, your yard contains one or more of these types:

• …

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