Realtor Diane Bell's Hilton Head and Bluffton Real Estate Blog

So, what's the buzz about the new HGTV Green Home?   The exciting news is that it will be built in the Lowcountry area of South Carolina near Hilton Head and Bluffton.  But wait--just where will it be?  That's the big secret right now.  We know it will be an environmentally friendly home just inland of Hilton Head. HGTV  is anxious to let home owners across the country know that building green is attainable.

Will it be Palmetto Bluff, Hampton Lakes, Rose Dhu Creek?    The answer is that no one knows right now.  The locals are all atwitter and certainly excited.  So, stay tuned and I'll be the first to let you know which community is selected for the Dream Home Giveaway scheduled for June 2008.

One of my favorite stories recently appeared in our local newspaper, the Island Packet.  Seems like we have a wonderous  Golden Retriever 9 month old puppy named Keiki Makai (short for "child by the ocean" in Hawaiian language.  This very special little guy is the latest addition to the Hilton Head Island Sea Turtle Protection Project.  Yes, this is one of those heart-warming stories that we all love! 

 According to the Island Packet, Makai has made 10 early morning trips and successfully  found every nest within a foot of their actual location---a huge help to the Island volunteers who work tirelessly to protect the turtle nests each year.  And best of all, Makai gets a little treat every time he scores.  The photo below is reprinted from the Island Packet website.  Next time you are on the beach in the early morning, perhaps you'll be fortunate enough to see Makai at work.  A Hearty Salute to a Special Fellow!  And thanks to owner Amber Hester who trained Makai.  Now, isn't this a great story!

JUST LISTED IN BEAUTIFUL VICTORIA SQUARE--A GORGEOUS CHARLESTON THEMED HOME IN A VERY SPECIAL GATED COMMUNITY!

Owners have priced this home to sell quickly---priced at $390,000, it represents one of the best values in the community of Victoria Square, a mid-island community of just 99 homes.  This home has awesome long lagoon views of the Victoria Square lake located at the center of the community. 

Fellow Rainers, I hope you'll indulge me and allow this to serve as my mini rant for the day---maybe for the week would be more appropriate!  Today and every single day of my life, I received yet another phone call from a  telemarketer.  Now since I live on the heavily tree cannopied island of Hilton Head, many times our calls will evaporate in thin air. So through no fault of my own, his call was dropped.

This telemarketer was from a company called House Seekers for You.  I will not list the URL here because the very last thing I wish to do is give them any encouragement.  And yes, you guessed it-----he had 400 leads for me. Wow--a miracle, right? 

The next part of this story is truly amazing-----He left a message on my cell phone telling me that his mother always taught him to say good bye and since I was so rude and hung up on him (which I didn't but wish I did) he was going to give his 400 leads to another top agent in the area.  He then went on to say that obviously, I was a brand new agent to the business and didn't know how  real estate marketing works and he was declining to work with me because I was rude to him by hanging up. 

So folks, when Andrew calls with the miracle of promising 400 calls for you, don't say I didn't warn you.   

And Rainers, how do you handle these calls?  Does it even make a difference that my cell phone is on the "Do Not Call List?  Without a doubt, I must get about 15 calls like this every week.  Do the rest of you suffer with this agony also? 

I thought it would be timely to provide an update on mortgage issues here in the Lowcountry areas of Hilton Head and Bluffton, SC.  The good news is that the tightening caused by the sub-prime mortgage loans really hasn't been felt that much in our local Hilton Head and Bluffton real estate market.  Typically, our buyers in this area are rock solid and not affected by the current mortage issues.  At this time mortgage money is plentiful for creditworthy buyers. 

What "HAS " changed is the likelihood of anyone getting a high risk loan. As an example, that would include anyone with poor credit history, low credit scores or lack of employment.  For now, those days are gone as lenders are tightening standards (and for good cause.)   Most mortgages that are processed here are not the type that you are hearing about at the national level. 

If you considering a purchase of real estate in the Hilton Head or Bluffton SC area, now is the perfect time with sellers adjusting their prices and generally being more reasonable.  My best mortgage advice is to use a local lender that is established in our community.  Our local banks are rock solid and will be here for the future.  They definitely have a vision for the community.  It might not be the best time to consider those companies that advertise all over the airwaves.  Stay local--that's my best suggestion. 

As always, I welcome your inquires as well as referrals of friends and relatives.   Visit my website, www.dianebell.com  to view all Hilton Head and Bluffton MLS listings.  Please feel free to email or phone me if you would like to discuss our local real estate market.  I'm always eager to chat with you and absolutely love to talk about Hilton Head and Bluffton Real Estate. 

With the dollar at an all time low internationally, I spent some time today brainstorming with my fellow agents as to why we should start marketing the Hilton Head Real Estate market abroad. 

Just this morning, I read an interesting article in the Sarasota Herald Tribune that outlined how the German market is coming to the Florida real estate market.  With our dollar so devalued, they feel the German buyers will get about a 40% discount.  Here's the link if anyone might want to read the article in length:  http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20070806/REALESTATE/708060347

Hold on a moment, it also dawned on me that I didn't really know the proper way to market my services in the international sense.  So, that's where my fellow Rainers figure into the equation!  Many of you sell in resort markets.  Have you considered taking a broader view of the buyer pool?  If the answer to that is yes, then perhaps we can get a discussion going here with ideas and methods that can be utilized to tap into these international markets.  Seems to me like this is uncharted territory to many of us so I'm hoping this will be the catalyst to some great ideas from my fellow members.

Okay, I know you've visited Hilton Head many times and always enjoy the well-known beaches such as Forest Beach, Burke's Beach and Folly Field.  But did you know there were so many off the beaten path areas that offer a pristine view of our laid back lifestyle on Hilton Head Island?   This informative map of Hilton Head Island Parks and Beaches has been reprinted from the official town of Hilton Head website:    http://www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/ .  I hope you find it helpful when planning your next visit to our wonderful island paradise. 

For all of your real estate needs, please visit my website:  www.dianebell.com.  

The Hilton Head Airport  provides all of the ameneties of a big city airport coupled with the luxury of a small town experience.  Located near the north end of the island, the airport is serviced by two carriers that provide conveniently scheduled service to Atlanta and Charlotte, NC by way of Delta Connection  and US Airways Express.  Currently the two airlines offer 11 flights daily from the airport.   Airline and passenger information is available by calling 1-800-943-5436.  Visit the airport website at:  www.hiltonheadairport.com

Directions to the terminal:

From the mainland or north end of the island, take 278E (William Hilton Parkway - Business) to Beach City Road.  Turn left.  The airport entrance is 1 mile down Beach City Road on the right.

From the south end of the island, take 278W (William Hilton Parkway) to Mathews Drive.  Turn right.  Follow Mathews Drive until it dead-ends into Beach City Road at a stop sign.  Turn right onto Beach City Road.  The airport entrance is 1/2 mile down on the right.

General Aviation Services are also available through Carolina Air Center which is located on the other side of the airport and accessed by Dillon Road.  Full service is available to all general aviation aircraft arriving.  For information, call:  843-689-3200 

If you're planning a trip to the island, definitely consider flying directly into the Hilton Head Airport.  You'll be pleasantly surprised by the convenience of  traveling to the island instead  of using the next closest airport, Savannah International.  And won't it be great to have a little extra time on the beach or golf courses?

For all of your real estate needs, I hope you'll visit my website:  www.dianebell.com.  I can also be reached at: 843-247-5419.