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

This new listing has prompted a ton of inquiries through Localims with requests for more photos and information.  So, I'll tempt you with some additional photos.

Buckingham Landing is a funky little neighborhood (eclectic) that is tucked in by the side of the bridge to Hilton Head.  Folks love living here because they are free of constraints and regulations of the typical Plantation lifestyle.  This neighborhood may not be for everyone but if you want to have a home business, need space to spread out or just enjoy that more eclectic lifestyle, then you may just want to stop by for a look at this special home that has zoning possibility for a Bed and Breakfast. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS LISTING OR HILTON HEAD AND BLUFFTON REAL ESTATE, PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE. I welcome your inquiries, questions and referrals

Finally, there's good news on the property insurance front-----More companies have entered our local market and some prices have fallen. 

According to State Insurance Commissioner, Scott Richardson, a former state senator from Hilton Head, 12 new companies have started business in South Carolina since 2007 with 3 more expected in the next 90 days. 

IMPORTANT KEY POINTS TO CONSIDER:

Condominium policies have fallen as much as 50-60% in the Hilton Head markets.

Insurance cost is rated based on our STATE EXPERIENCE.  (thank goodness for that, right?)

ALLSTATE INSURANCE hasn't written a new policy in the Bluffton area for 2 years.

Check your policies for a detailed explanation of your wind and hail coverage.  It's vital that you are aware of your coverage

So, the $1,000,000 question---WILL THIS TREND CONTINUE?  Their's reason for optimism baring any castrophic hurricanes.  Good news for Hilton Head?  We haven't had a major hurricane for over 100 years.  Sounds good to me!

Please visit my website for Hilton Head and Bluffton Real Estate Information.  I welcome your inquiries, questions and referrals.

I wonder if you remember  years ago when we set out for our first day of school each year?  What did we get for school supplies?  Well, I recall a tablet and a pencil.  HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED!  Now, kids come home with long lists of what is needed in the classroom, thereby placing somewhat of a burden on parents to provide the goods.  With everything else going up in price these days, I'm sure this is a tough year to shell out extra money.

Well, the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce has a new endeavor, namely the Project Connect which gets teacher's wish lists out to the community for donations. 

Each Monday, the Island Packet Newspaper publishes the 'WISH LIST" on the "CLASS NOTES" page.  This provides an opportunity for the community to really  help out the students, teachers and schools by provideing supplies. 

I'm so impressed with this program---Check the newspaper each Monday to see how you can give a little bit back to our community and most of all, our children.

The Island Packet Newspaper recently reported some pretty significant Real Estate news for the area.  Compared to 2007 statistics,  sales of local homes and condominiums shot up more than 17 % for the month of July.   This good news even caught our  area Realtors off guard.

 In these turburlent and uncertain times, it's encouraging to know that some programs still exist to aid first time homebuyers in South Carolina.  The South Carolina State Housing First Time Homebuyer Mortgage Loan Program helps low to modrate South Carolina families by offering competitive fixed interest rate loans.  Additionally, there is down payment assistance available that can help with closing costs. 

For more information, visit the official SC website.  First time homebuyers can find all pertinent information there as well as a list of approved lenders that participate in the programs. 

So, take heart in knowing there IS some help out there--You just have to know where to look and how to work the program. 

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

I welcome your inquiries anytime.

With the summer season almost behind us (1 more big weekend to go with Labor Day fast approaching), our little island is starting to return to a more quiet atmosphere and perhaps not a minute too soon to satisfy full time residents. 

During the  fall, winter and spring season the island provides an  opportunity to kick back and truly enjoy leisure life  at its best.  With little traffic, no restaurant lines and wide open beaches, this should be a no-brainer if you're dreaming of a little getaway.

Here's a photo of our marshes during the fall season when the lush green grass turns to a more sedate brown color.  The photo has been supplied by a local photographer, Pam Bredin.  I'm a huge fan of Pam's creativity and just love to share her works here at Localism. 

So dust off the suitcase, load up the car and visit Hilton Head during the best time of the year. 

FOR COMPLETE REAL ESTATE INFORMATION ABOUT HILTON HEAD AND BLUFFTON, PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE.  I always enjoy sharing my love of the Lowcountry with soon to be new residents. 

Just  listed this weekend, this fabulous home located in Buckingham Landing within steps to the water, is interestingly enough zoned for a Bed and Breakfast usage.   Now, I don't know of even 1 Bed and Breakfast on Hilton Head Island, so this would be an interesting opportunity for someone to purchase this home, live in it and run your B & B Business. 

Buckingham Landing is a little eclectic neighborhood located close to the bridge to Hilton Head.  Folks who live here appreciate the pastoral beauty of the marsh areas plus have the ameneties of  a boat ramp that provides access to deep water and a brand new restaurant soon to open. 

This very special home is curently listed @ $599,000 and boasts almost 3500 square feet plus a separate studio rental that provides monthly rental income. 

Dreaming of relocating to Hilton Head?  Well, here's a opportunity that may be difficult to resist!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROPERTY, PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE.  I welcome your inquiries about HIlton Head and Bluffton Real Estate.

I am just loving my new friendship with Freecycle.org.  Okay, if you haven't heard of this organization, you're probably wondering what it's all about---Quoted below from the website: 

Welcome! The Freecycle Network^TM is made up of 4,566 groups with 5,647,000 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer (them's good people). Membership is free. To sign up, find your community by entering it into the search box above or by clicking on "Browse Groups" above the search box. Have fun!

We have a very active group of Free Cyclers in the Hilton Head and Bluffton areas and what a fabulous way to help others.  I've given away a patio set, a turkey fryer ( Yes, we fry turkeys in South Carolina--but my husband tells me he's not frying anymore turkeys so out it went.)  I have a whole corner with goodies ready to be given away. 

The best part about Freecycle?  It's so fun to make someone's day---so if you are a resident of Hilton Head Plantation, or any plantation for that matter, please consider "paying it forward" and making someone's day special!                  

FOR ALL OF YOUR HILTON HEAD AND BLUFFTON REAL ESTATE NEEDS, PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE. 

With September fast approaching and the tourist season winding down, all of us in Hilton Head Plantation are truly looking forward to some cooler weather.  Whew, we are always so happy when summer's sultry heat passes. 

Want to enjoy some fall activities in the Plantation? Here's my top 10 List:

FARMER'S CLUB--Now is the time to select a plot and plan your fall crops

ISLAND HOPPER'S CLUB--Take a day trip to Charleston on October 2 to attend the annual Fall Candlelight Tour of Homes with lunch at High Cotton

ARTISTS' ASSOCIATION--Join this group on Monday's and Tuesday's  for an informal painting session.

HILTON HEAD PLANTATION WOMEN'S CLUB--Now is the time to sign up for fall offerings--There are many offerings such as Bridge, Mah Jong, Book Clubs, Luncheons, Cooking Demonstrations, Gardening and Short Day Trips

CHEERS BY THE SOUND--Get to meet your neighbors and make some new friendships at Dolphin Head Recreation Area--Event takes place the 4th Tuesday of the month.

OUT TO LUNCH BUNCH--First luncheon is scheduled for September 10 at IT'S GREEK TO ME

NEWCOMER'S CLUB--For all new residents to HHP--meets September 16 for a Wine and Cheese Party

MOTHER/DAUGHTER PRINCESS MOVIE NIGHT--Sure sounds like fun--September 26 for a night of princess pampering

BELLY DANCING--September 30 to November 18 @ Spring Lake Pavillion

DEEP END WATER AEROBICS--Tues and Thursdays @ 5:30--Spring Lake Pool

NUMBER 11?  VISIT MY WEBSITE for complete information about the Hilton Head and Bluffton Real Estate Market--Interested in Short Sales and Foreclosures?  I'll guide you through the entire process.

Last week, we had an interesting discussion about whether this home was too formal.  Believe me when I tell you the comments were all over the place.  Fast forward to the present---the owners have reworked the living room.  While I'm no expert on staging, I was totally amazed at how rearranging the furniture opened up the room.

First are the "befores" and the "afters" follow.   COMMMENTS WELCOMED ONCE AGAIN!

NEW AND HOPEFULLY IMPROVED--