The Hilton Head Homes Blog - Christina Galbreath-Gonzalez

Welcome Andrew Pietz to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hilton Head Bluffton Realty!

We are so excited to welcome Andrew Pietz to the Bluffton office at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hilton Head Bluffton Realty.  Andrew is well known and respected in the community and will make a great addition to the team.  Andrew has been in the service industry for over 20 years and has owned multiple hair salons, including his current salon Blow the Hair Bar in Bluffton, SC.   Originally from Ohio, Andrew, his wife and children moved to the Lowcountry in 2012.  

Learn more about Andrew Pietz or contact him at Andrew@HiltonHeadHomes.com

Read the Full Press Release

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December 2018 Market Reports

Home prices were consistently up again in most markets in 2018 but at reduced levels compared to recent years. High demand for few homes for sale fueled price increases, but evidence is mounting that inventory will finally improve in 2019. This may apply some downward pressure on prices for beleaguered home buyers. A fourth interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve in 2018 spooked the stock market to close out the year. The Fed has indicated that the number of rate increases in 2019 will be halved, which may be of little comfort to an already compressed consumer.

New Listings were up 2.8 percent to 336. Pending Sales increased 1.0 percent to 289. Inventory grew 5.9 percent to 2,231 units, the eleventh consecutive month of year-over-year…

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Welcome Susie Castellini to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hilton Head Bluffton Realty!

We are excited to welcome Susie Castellini to the Hilton Head office of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hilton Head Bluffton Realty!  Originally from the Cincinnati Ohio area, Susie's love for the Lowcountry started back in the late 70's when she vacationed here with her parents as a child.  Now she is lucky to call Hilton Head home and raise her children here.  

Being a "people-person" has helped Susie with her real estate career.  Her dedication to her clients, effective communication, and local knowledge have been beneficial to her clients buying and selling property in the area.  

Learn more about Susie HERE

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November 2018 Market Reports

The booming U.S. economy continues to prop up home sales and new listings in much of the nation, although housing affordability remains a concern. Historically, housing is still relatively affordable. Although Freddie Mac recently reported that the 30-year fixed rate is at its highest average in seven years, reaching 4.94 percent, average rates were 5.97 percent ten years ago, 6.78 percent 20 years ago and 10.39 percent 30 years ago. Nevertheless, affordability concerns are causing a slowdown in home price growth in some markets, while price reductions are becoming more common.

New Listings were up 11.0 percent to 533. Pending Sales increased 1.0 percent to 396. Inventory grew 4.6 percent to 2,309 units.

Prices were still soft as Median Sales Price…

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October 2018 Market Reports

If the last few months are an indication of the temperature of housing markets across the country, a period of relative calm can be expected during the last three months of the year. A trend of market balance is emerging as we approach the end of 2018. Prices are still rising in most areas, and the number of homes for sale is still low, but there is a general shrinking of year-over-year percentage change gaps in sales, inventory and prices.

New Listings were up 17.2 percent to 674. Pending Sales increased 2.8 percent to 446. Inventory grew 2.6 percent to 2,327 units. Prices moved higher as Median Sales Price was up 5.5 percent to $334,060. Days on Market decreased 9.5 percent to 134 days. Months Supply of Inventory was down 10.2 percent to 5.3…

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How to Choose a House When You’re Downsizing

Whether you have lived in your current home for decades or only a year, as you get older, you may find that you have too much space.  Additionally, thanks to stairs, slippery floors, and poor central air or heating, your old home may no longer suit your needs.  As a result, many seniors are increasingly choosing to downsize.  The process of selling and buying a home is always difficult, but it can be made much easier with proper planning.  Here are some strategies that can help.

 Choose a house that accommodates your medical needs

The most critical step is choosing a house that will accommodate your unique medical needs while also suiting your design preferences.  For instance, if you have trouble with your legs, hips, or ankles, you may not want to…

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September 2018 Market Report

Some economy observers are pointing to 2018 as the final period in a long string of sentences touting several happy years of buyer demand and sales excitement for the housing industry. Although residential real estate should continue along a mostly positive line for the rest of the year, rising prices and interest rates coupled with salary stagnation and a generational trend toward home purchase delay or even disinterest could create an environment of declining sales.

New Listings were up 1.6 percent to 441. Pending Sales increased 31.5 percent to 338, the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year gains. Inventory shrank 0.5 percent to 2,253 units.
Prices moved higher as Median Sales Price was up 6.1 percent to $312,990. Days on Market decreased…

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August 2018 Market Reports

Rising home prices, higher interest rates and increased building material costs have pressured housing affordability to a ten-year low, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Keen market observers have been watching this situation take shape for quite some time. Nationally, median household income has risen 2.6% in the last 12 months, while home prices are up 6.0%. That kind of gap will eventually create fewer sales due to affordability concerns, which is happening in several markets, especially in the middle to high-middle price ranges.

New Listings were up 28.9 percent to 674. Pending Sales increased 10.9 percent to 490, the seventh consecutive month of year-over-year gains. Inventory grew 1.3 percent to 2,250 units.

Prices…

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Upcoming September Events in the Lowcountry

30th Annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep***Postponed - Reschedule date TBD***

The May River enriches our lives, there are many real benefits to ensuring we protect it including a stronger economy, diverse food products, and outdoor recreational opportunities unique to Lowcountry. Each year we get the chance to come together and give something back to the River through the Town’s Annual Cleanups!

 The 30th Annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep (and the 11th year that we have participated) will be on Saturday, September 15th at the Oyster Factory Park from 9:00 – 11:30 am. Thousands of volunteers across the state participate annually in this event, which is South Carolina’s largest one-day, volunteer, litter clean-up of beaches, marshes and waterways.

 Shout…

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Much-Needed Historic Downtown Bluffton Improvement!

Can we say "FINALLY"?! This is a much needed conversion. Great news for Downtown Historic Bluffton! They are converting the 68 Boundary Street area into a parking lot with an designated space for a community function. 

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