Reduced price presents wonderful opportunity to own a home in Sun City Hilton Head - 11/28/07 09:14 AM
There are many qualities that make this an ideal first or second home. Here are 6 good reasons to consider this home.
First, the lagoon view is exceptional.  Second, this is a home that has seem minimal use--having been lived in for three short vacations by the owners. The yard, and the home have been well maintained and is move-in ready.
Third, it is situated on a quiet street--it ends in a cul-de-sac. No through traffic.
Fourth, it is located in a very friendly neighborhood within Sun City. (Sun City is comprised of neighborhoods and this one is called Oak Woods.) I live … (2 comments)

Cutting Edge Staging Strategy Announced! - 11/16/07 12:40 PM

My Cutting-Edge Strategy: Bare Bones Staging
I'd like to thank all of those who took the time to share their thoughts with respect to the "stage or not to stage" post. Some of the comments were quite insightful and very helpful. Others were a bit more--how shall we say--
--the word "caustic" comes to mind. One suggested that I should know better, since I am also a certified homestager and the harsh comments weren't too harsh. (Hang in up john!)
To all who commented--I do respect you, your professionalism and your opinions.  And I hope you have a sense of humor, too.
Now, I'd … (5 comments)

To Stage or Not to Stage, That is the Question - 11/15/07 07:43 AM
I was going to stage this vacant townhome--still might. But, I thought more about it and wanted to make it look just like new construction--because, it almost is--never been lived in and is more than "nearly new." It's been vacant because the seller had a change in plans and had to relocate-- and aside from bugs, dust and some exterior dirt--it's in tip top shape to prepare it--the home was cleaned, rugs vacuumed, etc. So, my question to stagers and those who do vacant home staging is this: Is it ALWAYS better to stage, even when the strategy here is to … (19 comments)

What Will Happen to The Levitt Development in Hardeeville, SC? - 11/14/07 07:28 AM
 Levitt and Son, developers of The Tradition in Hardeeville, filed Chapter 11 on  Friday of last week.
"Abraham Levitt started Levitt and Sons as a luxury home builder in 1929. But the builder is best known for creating Levittown, which was developed for returning soldiers from World War II. The first Levittown home was sold in 1949 in New York's Long Island. Another Levittown opened five years later in Pennsylvania." (From Builder Online.)
The Tradition development began early in 2007. It was to be the first master-planned community of its kind in the regionm, encmpoassing 5,300 acres, and plans include more than 9,500 … (1 comments)

Real Estate is Alive And Well in Hardeeville, SC--HUH? - 11/14/07 06:26 AM
I am constantly amazed at the resilience of some segments in this current market.
Yesterday, I visited a new planned unit development: Hilton Head Lakes in Hardeeville, SC. I wanted to get educated on what looks like an up and coming, upscale gated community in an unlikely place: Hardeeville.
You may ask, where the heck is Hardeeville? Well, it's 'about 26 miles west of Hilton Head Island. Hardeeville is also the home of the Tradition, another planned unit (Levitt) development  off of route 278 which will be comprised of 9700 homes in years to come. Hardeeville, a rather rural looking area will have about 150000 homes by … (0 comments)

Is now the best time for buy? Smell the coffee - 11/13/07 08:40 AM
Yesterday, I received three responses that disagreed with the amount of down-payment I suggested (20%) for first time home-buyers. The gist of the disagreement was: "There aren't many first time home buyers who have that much to put down..." I welcome and respect the opinions and comments I received. Thanks, for taking the time.
And here's bit of a rebuttal.
With the recent mortgage debacle, not yet behind us, home buyers who have to borrow have fewer choices, The FEDS are putting up more of the cash than private lenders, who saw investors flee in droves from mortgage-backed securities to other, less risky investment vehicles. … (8 comments)

Nearly New Townhome, at The Townes in Bluffton SC - 11/12/07 12:47 PM
… (0 comments)

Is Now the Best Tme for First Time Home Buyers to Buy? - 11/12/07 08:07 AM
Much is made about the American dream--home ownership is seen by many as almost a "right". We're in the current mortgage mess because people have failed to act responsibly:
It's not the best time to buy, if you don't have cash to put down--at least 20%It's not the best time to buy if you don't have regular income that you can prove...home buyers who lie about how much they make, even on a stated income basis could face serious consequences, should one have agreed to allow tax returns be  to be reviewed by the lender.Its' not the best time to buy, if a first … (6 comments)

Sun City Hilton Head Active Listings and Price Summary for October 2007 - 11/07/07 10:34 AM
 
 This month's recap inludes the prevailing price ranges of all active listings in Sun City as well as the number of active listings for each neighborhood within Sun City. There is a summary at the end of the recap.
Active Listing Recap by Neighborhood
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Active Listings in Sun City
•·         243 homes on  the market Sun City
•·         23 homes on the market Riverbend
•·         Average Selling Price for Sun City Homes:  $257,227
•·         Average Selling Price for  Riverbend:  $687,865
… (0 comments)

Sun City Neighbrohood Sales Recap Past 6 Months - 11/07/07 08:45 AM
 
Within Sun City there are distinice neighborhoods. Each has it's own governance with oversight by the community association. The Duke of Beaufort community had the most activity and it is the oldest "community within Sun City that feature Del Web Built homes with mature landscaping.
Recap of Sales by Neighborhood for the past 6 Months
  
  
Sold May to October 2007:  103 Homes, Average Asking Price: $280,618
  
  
  
… (0 comments)

Sales Activity-Greater Bluffton, Sun City - 11/07/07 08:39 AM
Greater Hilton Head -Bluffton Area Sales Activity
10 Months of 2007 Vs 2006
Yr.          Avg List Price      Avg Closed Price      Total Sales            %CP/LP             Avg DOM
(2007)   $912,993               $830,884                    844,531,965         93.97%             134        
(2006)   $806,172             $856,701                    943,860,133         94.97%             123  
(Avg List Price=Average List Price, Avg Closed Price= the final selling price, % CP/LP is the sell price to asking price ratio expressed as a percentage, Ave DOM=Average days on the market)    
 Inside the Sun City Gates
Pulte:  Will They Be Offering a "A Free Turkey in Every Pot"   
Pulte is has an impact on the resale market. Tell them you're looking at re-sales and … (0 comments)