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

There is no arguing that Hilton Head Plantation  is certainly an esthethic community AND it's no secret this beauty didn't happen accidnetally!

WHAT IS AN ARB??? An ARB or Architectural Review Board is structed to assist in protecting owner investments throuogh a formalized review process. 

JUST HOW DOES THIS PROCESS WORK?  Simply, before you embark on any exterior changes to your home, a resident fills out an application for design review and applies to the ARB Board for approval.

The ARB in Hilton Head Plantation is a volunteer board consisting of residents with training and expertise.  Their goal is to maintain the natural beauty and protect property values as well as safeguard investments.

So, if you're contemplating building your dream home or making changes to your existing Plantation home, you'll need to contact the ARB Board @ 843-681-8800 ext. 230.  The folks are helpful and willing to answer your questions.

AS ALWAYS, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HILTON HEAD PLANTATION REAL ESTATE, PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE for complete information about Hilton Head and Bluffton Real Estate.  I'm always available to consult with you---just give me a call @ 843-247-5419. 

OFFERED @ $385,000 AND ON THE ISLAND!

Only a little over a mile to the beach, this Dorchester Model rarely comes on the market. Elevator Shaft. Formal LR & DR. Eat-in Kitchen w/granite countertops. Hardwood & Porcelain Tile flrs, Mstr Ste with Screened Porch to front lagoon view. Mother-in-Law Ste on ground floor w/BR, BA and Sitting Room. Savannah Brick Patio, Front Porch as well as Back Porch. Regime fee is $881/yr (payable in two payments Jan/June) Almost maintenance free construction. Large, inexpensive boat storage available inside community; boat launching area on Marshland Rd., half mile from home.

PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT HILTON HEAD AND BLUFFTON REAL ESTATE

The long and short answer to the above question is YES!  Everyone in Hilton Head should have flood insurance.  Of course, if you don't have a mortgage, you wouldn't be required to purchase it but you should. 

Created by Congress in 1958, the National Flood Insurance Program was created to provide flood insurance to homeowners at reasonable prices.

Many newcomers to the Lowcountry are not familiar with Flood Insurance and may not realize that traditional homeonwer's policies do not cover flooding......therefore a separate policy is needed.  The rate you will pay depends on your flood hazard zone and location. 

For instance, generally, the north end of Hilton Head Island is a higher elevation than the south end of the island.

Flood Insurance is legally required for all federally financed loans.  Maximuym coverage is $250,000 on the building and $100,000 for contents. 

                         A caveat---Remember there is a 30 day waiting period  for new policies so don't procrastinate......make certain you are covered.

Even though it's been over 100 years since we've had a hurricane in Hilton Head (yes, we are tucked in and protected on the map) it is better to be safe than sorry, right? 

PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE for complete information about the Hilton Head and Bluffton Real Estate market including foreclosures and short sales.  Call me if you have any questions-----I'm always happy to spend some time chatting with future residents of the Lowcountry.

With all of the new housing words in our vocabularies.....short sales....deeds in lieu of foreclosure.....deficiency judgment.......foreclosure.......declining values.......It's no wonder that many home owners are completely perplexed what direction to take if you absolutely must sell your home. 

Sellers often ask me why they should consider a short sale rather than just letting the property go back to the bank in a foreclosure.

It's really quite simple----If you are able to do a short sale (and that is when the bank accepts less than is owed on the property), the short sale will be far less damaging to your credit rating.  It should appear as a "settled debt" once the transaction is completed rather than the more damaging "foreclosure" which can appear for 7 years on your report.

Are you facing a serious situation with your home in the Lowcountry areas of Hilton Head and Bluffton? Do you need to sell quickly?  If so, please visit my website or feel free to give me a call @ 843-247-5419 to discuss your options.  I'll put my years of experience to work for you and guide you to make wise decisions. 

Well, I thought I could upload a photo to my blog header and make it work.  I viewed Brad's tutorial several times but never had any success getting my photo to load correctly.

How do we get the photo to extend all across the header?  When I did my upload, my photo just settled in the left side of my header. 

Am I losing my tech edge?????  Rainers, could you help me please???????????

I have to admit this blog subject flies in the face of every bit of real estate experience I've gleaned in the past 30 years (yes folks, I said 30!). 

Here's the scoop-------I have a fabulous listing that is perfect in every way......Believe me when I tell you that it is "under priced" for the market.  This seller is offering more quality, square footage, ameneties and a better price than anything comparable.

So, you might ask what the problem is?  Very simply, we are getting ridiculous low ball offers that don't even make sense.  There is no rhyme or reason to where these offers are coming in.  I realize the news has been pretty dismal the past two weeks but really, it is difficult to figure out these buyers.  They epitomize the definition of a buyer's market mentality.

I spent some time thinking about this quirky market and the thought occured to me that perhaps this seller would have an easier time negotiating if they "RAISED" their asking price. Because of their super aggressive pricing, they actually could raise their price and still be competitive with what's on the market.   I hope you're not rolling on the floor laughing at this idea.  I'm thinking that if these crazy offers keep coming in, the sellers might do better if they considered this idea.

So what do you think about this?  Is it beyond crazy for me to consider this?  I'd really prefer for my sellers to negotiate having a little extra room.  But my reasoning tells me this is not sane reasoning on my part. 

 GREETINGS FROM SUNNY HILTON HEAD--IT'S BEEN A FABULOUS SUMMER SO FAR WITH MANY VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD----LET ME ASSURE YOU, FOLKS ARE STILL BUYING REAL ESTATE IN PARADISE (AND HILTON HEAD EPITOMIZES THE MEANING OF PARADISE!)

 SHORT SALE? FORECLOSURE?  WHAT'S ALL THE HOOPLA ABOUT THESE DAYS?  IS YOUR HEAD SPINNING FROM ALL OF THESE NEW TERMS?

In the past few weeks, I've had many of my customers and clients ask me about SHORT SALES for the Hilton Head and Bluffton market.  A short sale essentially means that a bank agrees to accept less than is owed on the mortgage when a seller has a hardship or cannot pay on their mortgage.  The question is whether this type of sale is for you?  Surely, I know you want to strike the best deal possible when purchasing real estate in the Hilton Head or Bluffton area. 

But think before you leap into a short sale purchase as they come with their own set of issues.  For instance:

BANKS ARE NOTORIOUSLY ILL EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH SHORT SALES SO A DECISION CAN TAKE WEEKS OR MONTHS FOR APPROVAL

LENDERS HOLDING SECOND MORTGAGES CAN DERAIL THE APPROVAL PROCESS

PERHAPS A LISTING ADVERTISES THAT IT IS A SHORT SALE BUT CHANCES ARE THAT IT HASN'T BEEN APPROVED WITH THE BANK---ONE MORE ISSUE FOR A BUYER TO DEAL WITH

WHAT ABOUT OUTSTANDING LIENS, REGIME FEES OR POA FEES?  HAVE THEY BEEN RECORDED AS LIENS?  IF NOT, A BUYER MAY BE RESONSIBLE FOR PAYING THESE.  AND YOU DON'T WANT TO FIND THIS OUT "AFTER THE FACT."

AND WHAT IS THE CONDITION OF THAT HOME?  DID YOU EVER THINK THAT YOU MAY FIND A VERY MOTIVATED SELLER THAT ISN'T IN A SHORT SALE OR FORECLOSURE WHO MAY BE EASIER TO DEAL WITH PLUS HAVE A HOME IN BETTER CONDITION?

IF YOU FIND YOURSELF MOTIVATED TO PURCHASE A SHORT SALE OR FORECLOSURE, CONSULT A TRUSTED AND EXPERIENCD REAL ESTATE AGENT AND ATTORNEY---YOU NEED THE BEST TEAM ON YOUR SIDE!

I'm currently navigating the foreclosure waters with several clients..........If you are interested in joining us, please visit my website or phone me @ 843-247-5419.  I have a list of all foreclosures in the Hilton Head and Bluffton area that will be helpful to you. 

As always, I welcome your calls and questions........I'm always available to chat with you and answer your inquires about the local real estate market. 

Let's face it--we all know that money doesn't grow on trees---especially these days!  And when it comes to our local Real Estate Taxes, if you're like me, you want to save every penny possible.  I continue to be amazed at how many folks just aren't aware how our real estate taxes are levied and what options are available to residents.  Here's how it works--Very simple, indeed:

IF YOU ARE A FULL-TIME RESIDENT, YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE 4% ASSESSMENT VERSUS THE 6% ASSESSMENT FOR OUT OF STATE OWNERS.  AMAZINGLY, THIS RESULTS IN A 33 1/3% REDUCTION IN YOUR ANNUAL TAX BILL WHICH IS REALLY SIGNIFICANT.

Visit the Beaufort County Website to find more information.  Or you can simply place a phone call to the County Assessor's Office at 843-525-7295 to register for your full-time resident's status. 

It's definitely worth the effort---Why not take the money saved and put it in your vacation fund?

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT HILTON HEAD OR BLUFFTON, SC REAL ESTATE, PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE.

Whether you are new to Hilton Head Plantation or just beginning to explore the possibility of purchasing or renting real estate in the Plantation,  these tips may be helpful in establishing residency.  It's certainly nothing complicated but I know that coming from a different geographical area, we just need to learn the customs in our local communities. 

The first thing you'll need to do is to stop by the POA Service Center to get your property owner's decals.  They'll also give you a PIN number that you can use to call in passes for visitors.  The folks at the POA will register your car (even your dogs and cats) and get you all settled in.

To arrange electrical service, contact PALMETTO ELECTRIC @ 681-5551.  (You'll probably find that your lawyer's office has already accomplished this if you are purchasing a property.) 

Cable Service is available from TIME WARNER --800-208-6030.  They also offer phone service which I have found to work flawlessly, somewhat more cost competitive plus I enjoy all of the extra perks that come with their service. 

Most importantly, you will need to visit the SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES (815-6981) to take care of your vehicle registration. 

And yes, there is just 1 more assignment for you----STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES, JASMINE OR WHATEVER IS IN SEASON---GRAB YOUR BIKES AND HEAD OUT TO DOLPHIN HEAD PARK AT THE END OF THE DAY--after all, you moved here for a different lifestyle right??  ENJOY!

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT HILTON HEAD AND BLUFFTON REAL ESTATE, PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE.  I welsome your inquiries and just love to chat about life on Hilton Head Island. 

As a frequent contributor at Localism about my favorite community, Hlton Head Plantation, it occured to me that for someone living out of our area, they might not have a concept of the size and natural ameneties of the Plantation.  So, here's a map that will serve for the saying---"A Picture is worth a Thousand Words."  Note all of the green spaces, the areas surrounded by water, the beach walking areas, golf courses and lagoons.  I was riding my bike with some friends last night and we talked about the beauty of the plantation.  I feel very fortunate to live in this community and hope to share it with you someday soon!  

PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE for information about Hilton Head and Bluffton, South Carolina Real Estate.