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

Haunting Hayrides through the Sea Pines Forest Preserve will once again take place October 24 and 25th.  The Sea Pines Resort offers 2 afternoon hayrides on October 25 followed by Gregg Russell's Halloween Concert in Harbourtown at 7:30 PM. 

With our beautiful autumn weather and pleasant evenings, this should be a fun time for the family and just a little different from the usual Halloween events. 

For information and reservations, call 842-1979 or visit the Sea Pines website.

I've been hearing from so many sellers lately who are frustrated  their homes aren't selling.  Well, there's no doubt that our local Hilton Head and Bluffton Real Estate market is not as robust as in year's past but homes are still selling if they're priced correctly.  If you've been experiencing the frustration of no buyers stopping by your home, here are some points to ponder:

1.  Is your home easy to show?  "Lockbox no appointment" is the easiest hone for Realtors to show.  I've had sellers who just didn't get it when it came to showing their homes.  "Can you come tomorrow" just doesn't cut it when a  Realtor has folks from out of town.  You can just guess that you'll never get that phone call tomorrow!

2.  Is your price too high relative to comparable homes in your neighborhood?  You really need to know your competition---You might consider attending your neighbor's open houses.

3.  How does your home show?  Does it need updating and renovations?  Buyers are looking for perfect homes and in this market, there is no room for mistakes.

4.  Don't sell your home in "as is" condition--------It's a red flag to buyers.

5.  Are you a FSBO?  For Sale By Owner?  Why would you  consider this route in a "down" market?  You need every bit of exposure that you can get from the ENTIRE REALTOR POOL. Realtors are experts who know how to get the job done.

IF YOU SERIOUSLY NEED TO SELL YOUR HILTON HEAD OR BLUFFTON HOME, PLEASE CONTACT ME THROUGH MY WEBSITE.  I welcome your inquiries, questions and referrals. 

Did you ever wonder why a seller would try to sell a home in "as is" condition?  Did it make you uneasy to think about purchasing a home marketed this way?  To put yourself into the mind of the seller, I've listed the top reasons why sellers would choose this route. 

MY ADVICE TO YOU?    IF YOU'RE SOLD ON BUYING, THEN HIRE THE BEST INSPECTOR YOU CAN FIND AND PROCEED WITH CAUTION.  Remember that you still have the right to have the property inspected but the sller will make no repairs. 

1.  Seller just doesn't wish to make repairs

2.  Sellers can't afford to update or repair the home

3.  Seller inherited the hone and never lived in it

4.  The home is a fixer upper that a buyer would prefer to remodel according to their likes.

5.  Seller knows there's a hidden defect and hopes to get by without fixing it.

6.  The home may be a foreclosure and banks don't make repairs, generally.

REMEMBER MY WORDS OF WISDOM:  HIRE AN EXCELLENT "CERTIFIED" INSPECTOR AND PROCEED WITH CAUTION. 

Have you ever seen an ad describing a home as being sold in "as is" condition and wondered what it all meant?  Simply, it means the seller is making NO GUARANTEE as to the condition of the home!

Years ago it used to be that the doctrine of "caveat emptor" prevailed and the buyer had no protection but no longer does that apply.  When a seller makes no guarantee this means that he/she will make no repairs BUT STILL HAS AN OBLIGATION TO DISCLOSE ANY KNOWN DEFECTS. 

If you,  as a buyer, encounter an "as is" sale, proceed carefully. We often see this type of sale in our local Hilton Head and Bluffton real estate market.   Make certain your contract has a contingency clause predicated on a SATISFACTORY INSPECTION REPORT........one more bit of advice------Make certain you hire a CERTIFIED INSPECTOR who will carefully inspect the home for defects. 

Hire an experienced Realtor and Attorney to guide you through the process. 

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT HILTON HEAD AND BLUFFTON REAL ESTATE, please visit my website.  I welcome your inquiries, questions and referrals anytime. 

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF YOUR HOME BEING FORECLOSED?

If so, there are places where  you can seek expertise and assistance.  The Homeownership Preservation Forum has 1 simple goal-----AND THAT IS TO HELP HOMEOWNERS AVOID FORECLOSURE! 

This is an independent HUD approved non profit agency dedicated to helping homeowners.  Their counselors are experts in preventing foreclosures.  The service is free!  You should NEVER use a service that charges a fee because most of these do not have your best interest at heart.  Don't be fooled by the many companies that are advertising on the internet and set up solely for profit at YOUR EXPENSE. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE HOMEOWNERSHIP PRESERVATION FORUM, CALL, 888-995-HOME

I am always available to discuss the sale of your Hilton Head or Bluffton home.  Please visit my website for more information.  I welcome your inquiries and questions.

With all of the exercise and leisure programs available in Hilton Head Plantation, we really ought to get some type of national accolade for fitness.  Here's an upcoming class that  will interest anyone who can get up early enough to attend--------I'm not sure I fall into that category but perhaps I'l give it my best.

EARLY MORNING PILATES CLASS

OCTOBER 2 THROUGH NOVEMBER 20

7:00 AM

HELD AT THE PLANTATION HOUSE

COST:  $40 PER PERSON

A minimum of 10 people are required to get this class started.  For more information, contact Keriann@ 681-8090. 

FOR MORE HILTON HEAD PLANTATION REAL ESTATE INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD EXPERT. I always welcome your inquires, questions and referrals.

COUNTRY CLUB OF HILTON HEAD

OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, September 27th, 2008

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Amenities include:

• New Athletic Center with your own personal trainers
• 6-har tru Tennis courts and in-house Tennis Professional
• Indoor and Outdoor Pools
• Member Activities and Events
• Multiple Dining Options
• Family Nights
• 18-hole Rees Jones Golf Course

Various membership types to fit your personal needs

New Junior Club - all of the same features but for those under 45

70 Skull Creek Drive, Hilton Head Plantation

A special incentive will be offered for those who join during the Open House!

  There's no doubt that we're in a slower market here in the Hilton Head and Bluffton, SC area.  Still homes that are priced correctly are selling!  You might ask------What would it take to make mine sell?  You "need" to present your home in the best price and value in your neighborhood and there is NO ROOM for adventursome pricing today.  Remember----you're in competition with many VERY MOTIVATED  sellers!  Here are some helpful tips!

• Tune in to your creativity---Offer incentives such as Pre Paid POA or Regmie Fees that would be attractive to buyers. Consider hiring a Home Stager or utilize a Decorator to optimize how your home shows.
• Get the best photographs--There's a world of difference in quality of photos, lighting, etc.  Just using a wide angle lens makes for much more attractive photos.
• Make certain your Realtor is Tech Saavy.  You need your home marketed to the world, 7 days a week and 24 hours a day.  Newspaper ads are not going to get the job done---those days are forever gone.
• Check out the competition---Attend open houses.  You need to know the competitve homes in your neighborhood. 

Need a Realtor?  I would be honored to assist you in the sale of your home.  Please visit my website for more information.  I specialize in the Hilton Head and Bluffton, SC areas. 

THE HALLOWEEN PET PARADE IS ONE EVENT THAT I WON'T MISS!  Not ever.......This annual event in Hilton Head Plantation is held each year from 4 to 5 PM at The Plantation House.  It's a real hoot to watch the pets and their owners parade around in the parking lot.  Sure to be a lot of fun for the kids too! 

I've never taken my own pets simply because they don't behave all that well in group settings.  Guess I haven't been successful in their manners training.  You'l really don't want to miss this event....It's a lot of good fun!

FOR ALL OF YOUR HILTON HEAD PLANTATION REAL ESTATE INQUIRES, PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE.  I welcome your inquiries, questions and refferals anytime. 

Goodness, I would prefer to write about other subjects but one thing's for sure in this economy, there are many homeowners that are facing a crisis right now.  But there are steps you can take to minimize the situation and arrive at a resolution with your bank.  If you're truly serious about seeking help, here are some tips for you to follow:  

1.  CALL THE BANK!  This is vital and it's been proven that many homewoners forego this very basic step in protecting their homes.

2.  DON'T IGNORE YOUR SITUATION!  Sure, it's probably easier to not open the mail but this won't change what you are facing.

3.  IF YOU KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO BE LATE, notify your banker immediately.  With all of the foreclousres that banks are facing, believe me when I say they would rather avoid the process if possible.

4.  ASK YOUR LENDER--for options such as lower interest rates, rewriting the terms of the mortgage of working out a repayment agreement.

5.  SEEK THE ASSISTANCE OF A REPUTABLE REALTOR---who is experienced in working with sellers in peril. 

6.  ASK THE BANK----for a short sale option.  Many if not most banks will work out a short sale agreement with you if it will avoid the foreclosure process. 

PLEASE CALL ME OR VISIT MY WEBSITE IF I CAN ASSIST YOU WITH THE SALE OF YOUR HILTON HEAD OR BLUFFTON HOME.  I WELCOME YOUR INQUIRIES AND QUESTIONS ANYTIME.